Why paint interior walls using the "W" first and then filling it in?

Question

My hubby and I have painted walls lots of times (altho it's been several years)...but we just recently saw that you should use the "W" method. They don't say why. Does anyone know why? Please help, since we are all ready to start painting our livingroom and hallway. Any other hints for an easier and more professional look would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

the W method is suppose to cover the walls faster and leave less discernable vertical lines.  i personally think the method is c**p.  i paint a lot of walls and if you are carefull, and know how to leave a uniform finish on the wall then just keep doing it the way you've been doing it.  i think it's geared more towards your average homeowner who has never picked up a roller before.  i never see profesionals doing it that way.

Answer 2

I prefer a combination of the  "W" and the perpendicular method.

The idea is to get an even coat of paint on your walls.   As already explained the W spreads the majority of paint off the roller then allows you to even it out.

I put on a vertical W then go over it horizontally,  then again vertically  making sure I leave no roller lines.  The line you leave when wet will show when dry.

I start at the top and work my way down.  On the first coat I divide the wall height into thirds (3 roller "dips" per vertical section).  Each vertical section tends to be about 4 feet wide.  

No matter what the paint label says I am a BIG believer in two coats every time.   You get a truer and more even color with 2 coats, and it will stand up to hash light.

Answer 3

It is a guide. Using the W tells you how much area to paint with one roller full of paint. This is to keep you from getting too thin of a coat in and area. Basically, it is about a 3' square.

Answer 4

Not knowing what the "W" method is I would only have to say that you need to make sure that you wash the walls especially the hand print heavy areas or the dirt will rise threw the paint. Quality paint is super important as you want good one coat cover but also it needs to be easily cleaned. Clean, tape and do the brush work where rollers don't go first with the brush work being as limited as convenient. That is the bulk of your time. The actual rolling will be so fast that you can do a whole floor in a day. But that is once the prep and tape is done. De-tape and then do the trim in oil based for good longevity.

Answer 5

I paint, every day of my life and agree with things mentioned by more than one answer.

   The W allows that the initial roller nap, when well stocked with paint, will not only define an area best to work, but allows that the back filling won't strictly run the nap dry.

   I also agree however that the W is not a fool proof method, and that anyone with any skill, who has any knowledge of paint, and who isn't blind, Usually back rolls, lightens their touch, develops an eye for the roller marks, and addresses those. Beyond that, in most cases a second coat of finish is applied, eliminating any DRY/ Thinly rolled areas.

    One thing you probably should consider is that everyone develops their own style of doing anything, and hopefully most are effective.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

Answer 6

so you don't leave streaks.

Answer 7

Go with the answers with more than 1 " thumbs up ". These are correct. One more thing, once you load your brush or roller with paint, always apply where there is no paint and paint into your paint.

Answer 8

Basically so you get an even coat.  If you start at the bottom or top every time you load the roller, you start heavy and end light.  The "W" spreads the majority of paint over the section of wall, then as you roll the unpainted areas, it pulls the excess from the "W" and evens the paint out.  Other than that keep a wet edge, clean up tools halfway through the day and the end of the day.  Take care of your tools, they will take care of you.  Most of the work is in quality prep.

Started my construction experience as a painter. glad I'm done with that.