Painting Tools
For all you accomplished painters...
I'm looking for a way to make apartment paining less of a pain. I'm thinking that a Wagner power roller or something similar is bound to make life a bit easier. What do you think? And more importantly, can you recommend a particular model power roller that you've found to be a worthwhile and quality tool?
Thanks a bunch.
I just bought the Wagner Power Roller Pro. There were two different ones at the store (Home Depot), and I bought the better model. This weekend I painted three rooms with it (two coats each) and really like it. It is MUCH faster than trying to paint with a roller and pan.
There are a couple of issues, however. I haven't tried the corner tool yet, but did use the edger. You can't just turn the paint flow on and edge...you constantly have to start and stop the motor (but I expected this). Otherwise, you get drips and runs (this is not different than any other "automatic" feed edger or roller I have worked with). Keep a paint brush handy to spread out any paint goops you might get in corners.
I found the guard included to be a pain when painting ceilings...it tended to get in the way. When I removed it, I could paint fine, but by the third room, I noticed that the roller was dripping out of the seal. I don't much care as the floors will be carpeted (just bare wood right now), but it would really have been a pain if I didn't want any drips. Reinstalling the guard fixed this (it still dripped, but dripped into the guard.).
As far as the dripping is concerned, I think a little lubrication will solve this.
Also, cleanup is a little time consuming...but no more than about 15-20 minutes to clean out the supply hose and roller.
Estimated time to paint room (Edge, walls, ceilings and around windows) w/o power roller 2 to 2.5 hours. Estimated time with power roller, about 45 minutes...so definite time savings. Cost, about $120.00...but for me, worth it. Oh...and it takes a special roller cover, which is about $5-6.00 per...and I can't get replacement edgers or corner tools in my local Home Depot...probably need to order direct from Wagner.
John
Stay away from the Wagners, you will waste your money and not get anything for it. Everyone I know in the business has a "new looking" wagner in the garage that doesn't work anymore. I (to my shame) have purchase the sprayers and rollers that they sell. Junk...
Go to a sprayer either airless, HVLP, or both and get a Hero, titan, Graco (higher end) etc. from ebay or some other good source for used spray equipment, learn how to mask, buy tarps, and you will get done faster, neater, and better looking.
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