It’s common on jobsites today to see a contractor using an airless paint sprayer to apply a coating before another worker goes over that same coating with a traditional paint roller.
This method – known as back-rolling – has long been a standard practice when applying coatings like latex or interior paints. Still, some prefer to just spray the coating and leave it at that.
Back-rolling does have its benefits in the right situations, although it may not always be feasible due to the need for multiple employees. This is a challenge the SprayRoller and Inner-Feed Roller accessories from Titan Tool are designed to conquer.
Here’s a look at the advantages of combining spraying with back-rolling, when to do it, and the key differences between the SprayRoller and Inner-Feed Roller.
Advantages of Back-Rolling
Some prefer not to back-roll for a number of reasons, but it can improve the quality of the job. Back-rolling right after spraying works the coating into the surface more efficiently than spraying alone, promoting better adhesion between the coating and the substrate (which is most often drywall when working on residential interiors).
Back-rolling after spraying can also help smooth down any raised fibers that may have occurred while applying the coating to the drywall.
But is there an ideal situation best-suited for back-rolling?
When to Back-Roll After Spraying
Back-rolling is typically most impactful when applying the primer for the interior walls of a home or a new construction build.
While the primer is the coat that bonds with the substrate initially, airless spraying itself does not penetrate or enhance adhesion. In many cases, it simply places a layer of paint over the surface while spanning troublesome areas like gaps, cracks, and pinholes without actually penetrating them. Without back-rolling, the layer around these areas will eventually crack and separate as temperatures rise and fall, leaving them exposed.
Apart from improving the longevity and performance of the coat, back-rolling is also often used to achieve a textured effect with the coating that can’t otherwise be achieved with pure airless application.
SprayRoller vs. Inner-Feed Roller
The SprayRoller and Inner-Feed Roller – two of Titan’s most versatile accessories – both play a critical role in applying even, long-lasting coats. But how do you know which one to use?
The SprayRoller is designed for jobs that require spraying with back-rolling. It allows contractors to spray and back-roll all in one motion, eliminating the need for a second employee to get the job done. The SprayRoller reduces overspray, decreases prep work, and helps achieve a professional finish from even the most novice applicators.
Other features and benefits of the SprayRoller include:
- Consistent mil thickness on textured surfaces
- Modular design
- Ability to attach to Titan’s SprayGuide swivel
- Compatibility with any standard 9” roller cover
- Compatibility with all airless sprayers and extension poles
The Inner-Feed Roller is designed for high-production jobs where spraying is impractical. It applies paint up to four times faster than standard rolling by eliminating the need for a roller tray. When the roller gets dry, simply pull the trigger to wet it without ever having to take the roller off the wall.
The Inner-Feed Roller’s features and benefits include:
- Ability to feed paint into the roller on demand
- More consistent mil thickness
- Compatibility with extension poles
- Effective on both interior and exterior applications
Other Accessories for Paint Rolling
The SprayRoller and Inner-Feed Roller barely break the surface when it comes to Titan’s full arsenal of rolling accessories. Here are a few others that can help you get the job done quicker, better, and smarter.
LX-75 Inline Gun
With an all-metal construction and in-handle filter, the LX-75 Inline Gun makes for a natural extension to any pole. Its swivel helps reduce hose kinks and ensures effortless control while spraying at pressures up to 3600 PSI.
Titan Angle Adapter
For those that don’t want to buy a new gun, the Angle Adapter allows you to use your current RX-80 or RX-Pro gun with an extension pole to get the perfect angle for rolling. Because of its right-angle design, the Angle Adapter allows the pole to extend from the gun at the same angle as the handle, resulting in greater efficiency and comfort.
Roller Covers
These replacement covers for the Inner-Feed Roller are made from perforated, high-density knit polyester, designed to distribute paint evenly for a smooth finish. Roller covers come in either 3/4” nap or 3/8” nap, which refers to the thickness of the fibers on the roller. The more texture your surface has, the thicker the nap should be.
Extension Poles
These lightweight aluminum extensions are constructed with inner core ribs which reinforce the poles and greatly increase their rigidity. The inner core rib construction allows different length poles to be easily coupled together up to 12', while maintaining the proper rigidity to suit most job conditions. These poles adapt to most airless guns to help you reach high, out-of-the-way places when spraying or pressure-rolling.
Spray Gun Extension
Both the SprayRoller and Inner-Feed Roller can also be paired with Titan’s Spray Gun Extensions. Lightweight and easy to handle, these extensions can be used with all 7/8” thread airless spray guns and are also packaged with a tip guard. They are an ideal option when rolling closets or hallways where space is a bit tighter.
Spray Smarter with Titan Tool
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