Paint Rollers (Covers)

sailcapt340

sailcapt340

.
Sep 26, 2008
691
Hunter 340 0 Wickford, RI
Have paint roller covers gotten cheaper? Has anyone else noticed a difference in the quality of the nap and seen a difference in painting the bottoms of your boats? Or is it just me.
I have and it can’t be my imagination. I use Pettit Hydrocoat and apply it using a 3/8 inch nap roller. The can says to use 3/16 inch nap. I tried that last year and it was like rolling a stick along the bottom. The work involved was so much more to just get an even coat.
This year, I just finished painting the bottom today. The weather here in RI was perfect this week so I took advantage of it.
I went back to the same manufacturer of rollers I used before, only in 3/8 inch nap.
Same results, no coverage and it was like rolling a hard stick with paint on it along the bottom.
Is the nap changing in roller covers? Or is the quality gone in the material?
Am I the only one seeing and feeling this? I look forward to hearing from you with your thoughts.
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,744
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Answer is simple.

Look on you paint can or go to the Seller's Site.
They will give you thinning, brushes, spray and Roller nap specifications.

Jim...
 
Rich Stidger

Rich Stidger

.
Feb 10, 2004
4,096
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
I stopped using 3/8" nap rollers 15+ years ago. They simply put too much paint on the bottom, and the build-up over the years is very high. After sanding aggressively for 5 years, I began using 3/16" nap rollers and putting on one thin coat. I do paint every year because I haven't been successful getting any paint (regardless of claims) to perform well during a second year.
I use ablative paint. For a low speed sailboat, one thin coat is all I need. If I had a high speed powerboat the paint may wear off faster so then a thicker coat may be required.
YMMV.
The short answer to "have rollers changed?" is - I don't think so.
 
Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

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May 17, 2004
5,543
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
I use 3/16” nap, which is not always easy to find. This year I did notice quite a bit of lint coming off the roller onto the surface. Not sure if it was really more than the past, but I didn’t remember it being like that before.
 
sailcapt340

sailcapt340

.
Sep 26, 2008
691
Hunter 340 0 Wickford, RI
Okay, I just woke up from my nap as recommended by Timm.
I agree Rich, I paint each year for the same reasons, I didn’t get good performance in year 2 either.
Where do you get 3/16” nap rollers? Like Dave said they are not easy to find.
For some reason this year painting was a major chore. I just couldn’t get coverage, either thick or thin coats, without a constant pressing on the roller to get the paint on the surface.
The bottom is smooth, a few old paint blisters but none to be concerned about. It has high and low peaks that are noticeable while you paint, but thats true of any boat, the bottom is not smooth as glass or like a racing boat but it is a smooth surface to paint. Just not this year.
The paint was the same consistency as before. The roller 3/8” roller was like rolling a stick with paint on it along the bottom.
That’s what’s leading me to believe it is the roller material that has changed.
 
Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

.
May 17, 2004
5,543
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
sailcapt340 said:
Where do you get 3/16” nap rollers? Like Dave said they are not easy to find.
Click to expand
I get mine from Defender most years, as long as the shipping is bundled with the paint shipment. They now have free shipping on orders over $99, so that’s reasonable. Before then they wanted to charge to ship the roller separately ($15 shipping for a $7 roller), so that was prohibitively silly.

This is what I used - ArroWorthy Mohair Blend Roller Cover - 9PBM . Though like I said it was noticeably linty. A wrap with tape beforehand may have helped.
 
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Rich Stidger

Rich Stidger

.
Feb 10, 2004
4,096
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
sailcapt340 said:
Where do you get 3/16” nap rollers? Like Dave said they are not easy to find.
Click to expand
I have gotten them from Defender and I have a few in stock. But this year I ordered Total Boat Select from Jamestown Distributors and their "Kit" contained a tray, handle, a 3/16" nap roller, a roll of tape, and a painting suit. It is the same 3/16" roller that I have bought from Defender in year's past.
It is a Redtree roller:
BTW, IMHO the price is stupid.
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,704
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Davidasailor26 said:
I use 3/16” nap, which is not always easy to find. This year I did notice quite a bit of lint coming off the roller onto the surface. Not sure if it was really more than the past, but I didn’t remember it being like that before.
Click to expand
Run the roller over some blue masking tape to remove the lint. A tip from Andy at Boatworks Today.
 
sailcapt340

sailcapt340

.
Sep 26, 2008
691
Hunter 340 0 Wickford, RI
Thank you all for the recommendations and advice. My arms and back thank you more.
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,704
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Rich Stidger said:
I have gotten them from Defender and I have a few in stock. But this year I ordered Total Boat Select from Jamestown Distributors and their "Kit" contained a tray, handle, a 3/16" nap roller, a roll of tape, and a painting suit. It is the same 3/16" roller that I have bought from Defender in year's past.
It is a Redtree roller:
BTW, IMHO the price is stupid.
Click to expand
Was it this one:

1681336739535.png


BTW, Andy from Boatworks Today is working on comparing different rollers. Not sure when it will be released.
 
sailcapt340

sailcapt340

.
Sep 26, 2008
691
Hunter 340 0 Wickford, RI
I for one am Looking forward to that comparison! Please keep us posted in case we don’t see it, Thank you.
 
RoyS

RoyS

.
Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
I use a foam roller. Full recoat with hydrocoat every fourth year. Chip touch up with a small disposable brush every Spring. No sanding, ever.
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,449
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
RoyS said:
I use a foam roller. Full recoat with hydrocoat every fourth year. Chip touch up with a small disposable brush every Spring. No sanding, ever.
Click to expand
I use foam too…VC17 goes on REALLY thin.


Greg
 
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