How to Avoid Lap Marks and Roller Lines

Lap marks are those darker stripes you see when dry paint gets rolled over with wet paint. Here's how to prevent them.

1. Keep a wet edge. Always roll back into paint that's still wet. Work in sections from one end of the wall to the other, without stopping in the middle.
2. Finish one wall at a time. Never stop halfway through a wall for lunch. Stop at a corner instead.
3. Roll floor to ceiling. Work in full-height strips so there are no horizontal lines where sections meet.
4. Don't let the roller run dry. A dry roller drags and leaves uneven texture. Reload often.
5. Don't overwork it. Once paint starts to get tacky, stop rolling that area. Going back over it makes marks.
6. Watch the conditions. Heat, direct sunlight, and fans make paint dry faster, which makes lap marks more likely.
7. Mix your cans together. If you're using more than one gallon, pour them into a larger bucket and mix. This is called "boxing" and keeps the color consistent.

Bottom line: Stay wet, work in full strips, and finish each wall before you break.

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