There are several methods of applying paint. You can use a brush, a roller, a sprayer or a pad. Rags and sea sponges can be used when creating a decorative or "faux" finish.

For the typical wall and ceiling painting project, the roller, due to its ease of use and ability to make quick work of most projects, is the applicator of choice. Though a sprayer can put paint onto a surface more quickly, it often is not a practical alternative for interior work in an occupied building. Furthermore, paint applied with a sprayer should subsequently be rolled to work the paint into the surface and create uniform coverage.

Using a roller won't guarantee professional results. In fact using the wrong roller cover can leave your walls and ceilings with unwanted stripes, splotches, dimples and lint. You can save work and end up with better results by choosing the roller cover best suited for the job. The same is true of the devices used with the cover--the frame, pan or bucket and the extension pole.

Two factors, the type of paint and surface to which it will be applied, dictate the type of roller cover that should be used. They'll determine the type of fabric and the length of the fibers or "nap." Should you use a roller cover with synthetic fibers and a long nap, or one made from natural fibers with a short nap?

Although the packaging on some roller covers might state that they can be used with "all paints," your best bet is to choose a roller cover by paint type--water base vs. oil base. Water-base paint is used for the majority of wall, ceiling and siding painting projects because it is more user-friendly and can be cleaned up with soap and water. When working with water-base paints, choose a roller cover made from synthetic nylon or polyester fibers. When applying oil-base paints--our preference in kitchens, bathrooms, the laundry and other damp spaces in the home--use a natural-material roller cover such as wool or mohair.

The other factor to consider when choosing a roller cover is the surface to be painted. Is the surface smooth and dense or rough and porous? The surface will determine the length of the nap that will offer the best performance.

Roller-cover nap length ranges from 1/8th inch for very smooth surfaces to 1-1/2 inches for rough or heavily textured ones. The smoother the surface, the shorter the nap; conversely, the rougher the surface, the longer the nap.

Rough surfaces such as stucco, brick, concrete, rough siding and heavily textured walls and ceilings call for a roller cover with a long nap--3/4 inches to 1-1/2 inches. Smooth surfaces such as untextured wallboard and plaster, smooth paneling and metal require a short nap--1/8th inch to 3/16ths of an inch. For in-between medium surfaces, such as light to medium textured walls and ceilings, sand-finish drywall or plaster and acoustical tile, use a medium-nap roller cover with a 3/8ths-inch to 1/2-inch nap.

Another, often overlooked, factor is price. When it comes to roller covers, buy the best. You won't be sorry. Better quality roller covers have a thicker nap that will hold more paint, produce fewer air bubbles and leave little or no lint behind. (The fibers belong on your roller cover, not on your freshly painted surface.) Higher-quality roller covers also will stand up better to cleaning.

The roller cover is only part of the secret to success. Accessories, such as the roller frame, a pan or bucket and extension pole also contribute to the quality of the finished product.

As with roller covers, don't be cheap when buying roller frames; a good roller frame will survive many painting projects. Look for a frame with a compression-type cage. It will keep the roller cover from slipping and prevent paint from getting into the core of the roller cover. There are other benefits to a better-quality roller frame--a comfortable, ergonomically designed grip and a more substantial, stronger threaded hole to receive an extension pole.

The next roller-related painting accessory is the paint-roller pan. The pan is used as a reservoir to load the roller cover with paint. The pan also has an elevated ribbed surface that is used to discharge excess paint. Since a high-quality pan can be expensive, look for one constructed of heavy-gauge metal. One trick that will make the pan last longer and make cleanup easier is to use a plastic pan liner that can be thrown away after you have completed your painting project. This is especially useful when using oil-base paint where mineral spirits are required for cleanup.

The roller pan is fine for small jobs, but for to medium to large jobs, consider stepping up to a 5-gallon bucket with a roller grid. It will hold more paint and make a job go more smoothly.

Whether using a roller pan or a bucket with a grid, always load the roller and then discharge excess paint so that the roller is filled with paint, but not dripping.

An accessory that can eliminate a ladder is the extension pole. There are two basic styles--solid wood and hollow metal tubing. Both screw into the base of the handle of the roller frame. Better-quality metal extension poles have a telescoping feature that can be particularly useful in reaching very high walls and ceilings.

When applying the paint, roll in a vertical "W" pattern in 2-foot by 2-foot sections. This will better distribute a heavily loaded roller. Follow up by rolling over the W in a horizontal direction. This technique will provide better coverage and result in a more uniform finish. Also, always keep a wet edge to avoid an uneven finish and don't be too aggressive with the roller (too much pressure can squeeze paint out onto the surface and leave unwanted stripes). Too much pressure also will flatten the roller cover, which will prevent it from loading and discharging paint effectively and evenly.