Ack! How do I clean Primer off my paint rollers?

[CD_Vision]

Ok so I've been painting with a Water based paint on some joystick boxes, and I thought I'd try using a primer so that I wouldnt have to use so many coats. Well even though I bought Oil-based primer, it didnt occur to me that this stuff doesn't just wash off like my paint does. In fact it's darn messy. What's a good way to get this off of my paint rollers?

[SirPoonga]

Ok so I've been painting with a Water based paint on some joystick boxes, and I thought I'd try using a primer so that I wouldnt have to use so many coats. Well even though I bought Oil-based primer, it didnt occur to me that this stuff doesn't just wash off like my paint does. In fact it's darn messy. What's a good way to get this off of my paint rollers?

Paint thinner.

[JustMichael]

I would suggest reading the side of the paint can.  It should specify what type of stuff to use for cleanup.  With oil paints normally you use paint thinner or mineral spirits and with latex paints you usually use soap and water.

[mhoward211]

I have found Acrylic thinner to be the best to clean up most oil based paints.

[ddebuss]

Here's my philosophy...

Most of the cabs I have worked on are small.  I buy a full size roller.  Cut it in 1/3 size rollers.  Clean off any loose burs or covering (be sure to get it all.) Install it on a small roller frame and paint away.

Lowes sells a neat little roller holder.  You finish
painting, and close it around the roller.  It keeps the paint on the roller ready to use again for about a week.  This way you can paint the other side after the first dries without cleaning the roller.  After I am done with a particular color, I throw the roller away.

I've never been able to get a roller with oil based paint clean properly.  And to get it close to clean it takes a considerable time to get it right.  The rollers are only $5 ($5/3 the way I use them) a piece so it is not worth my time cleaning them.  Getting the roller holder clean is easy because there is no nap, it's just a plastic.

[JLR2000]

This might be stating the obvious, but after all the effort you spent on your cabinet, why don't you just get new rollers?  Rollers are pretty cheap, and I learned the hard way when I repainted the interrior of my house that a cleaned roller does not do as good a job as a new roller.  I know the costs of building a cab can get pretty high, but a box of cheap rollers is less than the paint thinner would cost.  

Just my two cents......

[Howard_Casto]

I agree man.... painters will tell you that it's best to have one roller for priming and one for the color coat and one for any sealent/finish coat anyway.  Whip out a couple bucks and treat yourself to a brand new roller man!!

[CD_Vision]

Yeah, after reading all of this that sounds like the best solution.

[lo_cash]

Ok so I've been painting with a Water based paint on some joystick boxes, and I thought I'd try using a primer so that I wouldnt have to use so many coats. Well even though I bought Oil-based primer, it didnt occur to me that this stuff doesn't just wash off like my paint does. In fact it's darn messy. What's a good way to get this off of my paint rollers?

Do you mean that you are planning to use Water based paint over Oil based primer?  I don't think this is recommended.  You might have problems with adhesion.  Read the side of the paint can, and see what it says about primer.

good luck

[bob]

I'm answering a question you didn't ask, but:

If you have a brush or roller you are going to use again with the same color (like for a second coat), you can put it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer.

bob
south carolina