Best Roller Cover for Stain

Roller covers come in many fabrics, cores and nap sizes. So, your choice shouldn’t depend on price but on the job at hand. That way, you will get value for money, a nice finish and won’t spend too much time cleaning up. And here’s what we have for you: the best roller cover for stain.

Bates Paint Roller Set

Best Roller Cover for Stain

This is an entire set of 11 pieces which includes:

  • Two 9-inch roller covers
  • Two 4-inch roller covers
  • One 9-inch roller frame
  • One 4-inch roller frame
  • One tray
  • One 2-inch angel pain brush
  • One high-density foam brush

This set is meant to last a long time and help you clean up easily afterward. It also helps you do a good job with the surface you are staining and the finish is superior. This set comes with a paintbrush that has synthetic filaments.

They are the reason the brush can capture more paint and make room for the finish of your preference. The paint rollers come with naps that have a ½-inch thickness. The tray in this set will make space for paint that will save you money without compromising on longevity or performance. And the whole set is easy to use.

Pros
  • Don’t need to research and buy each element separately
  • Value for money
  • Comes with two covers for every frame size
Cons
  • Not very easy to remove the roller cover from its frame

If you want a single roller, here’s the one from Bates.

Roller Cover Buying Guide

Best Roller Cover for Stain

When it comes to staining a surface, a roller cover has a specific role if you want to finish the job quickly and nicely. But which roller cover is best depends on the surface you are staining. If you are dealing with alkyd stains, you should go for rollers with natural fibers. But if you use them with acrylic or oil coating, they will mat. For those, you want to use synthetic fibers.

Then you should know about the configuration or thickness of the nap.

  • If you want to stain a smooth surface, you should go for a roller cover with a thickness of 3/16 to 1/4 of an inch.
  • If you are staining a lightly textured surface, you want a roller cover with a nap thickness of 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch.
  • If you are dealing with a rough or heavily textured surface like exterior wood, you want a roller cover with a thickness of 3/4 of an inch or more.

Typically, the manufacturer of the stain will tell you what kind of a nap works best with their product. So, there’s a hint.

FAQs

Best Roller Cover for Stain

Q: What Kind of Roller Do You Use for Stain?

A: Foam and polyethylene are the best choices when it comes to most roller covers because they don’t cause a lot of splatter and they can absorb a lot of stain in one go. The 4-inch cover is a good choice for smaller areas and to amplify details. The 9-inch option is good if you have lots of space to cover and want to get it done soon.

Q: Can You Use a Roller to Apply Deck Stain?

A: Yes, you can. But you must also have a paintbrush so that you can get the stain into the board’s pores.