Rolling and Tipping
by Alan Noel
Professional Wood Finisher
For the last thirty two years I have mostly focused on antique restoration with only a few occasional kitchen cabinet jobs thrown in. However, when I do meddle in kitchen cabinet finishing, I really enjoy it because of the decorative nature of the finishes involved, which are usually decorative painted finishes.
I've found that when painting a large surface with a brush it is very difficult to get an even coat across the entire surface without brush strokes showing up after the piece had dried. This is why I have turned to rolling and tipping when it comes to painting large surfaces.
Here are some tips for rolling and tipping:
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Use small to medium size sponge rollers.
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Before using the roller, paint all surfaces that the roller can't access first and then roll.
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Do not completely saturate the roller so a small amount pressure has to be applied to squeeze the paint out in a thin layer.
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Move across the surface as fast as possible.
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After covering the surface, using a clean, dry 3 to 4 inch brush, lightly move the brush at a perpendicular angle along the surface to smooth out the pattern of the roller (i.e. tipping).
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After a couple of strokes with the brush, dab the brush into a clean cloth to remove the paint and continue.
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After two coats the surface will be smooth and stroke free.
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Having a partner to help you really speeds things up.
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ALWAYS practice on scrap first to master the technique.
Visit Highland Woodworking's Online
Wood Finishing Supplies Department
Alan can be reached directly via email c/o Alan Noel Furniture Refinishing at
anoelfurniturere@bellsouth.net
.
Visiting Atlanta? Attend one of Alan's upcoming highly informative Highland Woodworking wood
finishing seminars:
May 16, 2015
Spray Finishing
May 27, 2015
Finishing the Finish
