Roller cover fabric, whether natural or man-made, consists of a particular density of fibers woven against a backing. Applying paint to the roller causes the curly fibers, weighted heavily with paint, to collapse on themselves and hold the paint close to the surface. Pressing the roller against a wall forces that paint out. Let's return to the trouble with fabric density. But today's natural sheepskin rollers bypass both problems.
Many covers are now leather-backed.
The backing also acts as a paint reservoir, absorbing the liquid and cutting down on refills. It's a tough world out there. Today's painting contractors have hundreds of choices when it comes to choosing applicators. Indeed, industry analysts say many suppliers devote as much as 30 percent of their budgets to training efforts aimed at educating painters about the right ways to choose their tools. It's a real active and changing environment.