If you have chosen to use a paint roller for a job, it is likely the project is large enough to require several gallons of paint. You can use either a paint tray or a 5-gallon bucket to which you have inserted a grid made from wire mesh, which is the better option for big jobs.

If you are using a new napped roller, you must first clear it of lint. Simply roll it over the sticky side of a piece of masking tape. A foam roller is ready to use as is.

The goal, whether you are using a tray or a bucket, is to fill the roller with paint short of it dripping. With a tray, paint should just fill the reservoir. After dipping the roller into the paint, run it up and down the ribbed portion of the tray to achieve even distribution. If you are using a bucket, fill it with 1–2 gallons of paint and, after dipping the roller into the paint, run it up and down the wire mesh to distribute the paint evenly.