What length nap on roller???

[Jeffrey]

I've started painting our front hall using the Valspar American Tradition paint from Lowe's. One gallon covers about 400 square feet and claims 1 coat will do. It doesn't seem to be covering in one coat. I'm usinig a 3/8" nap roller. Unfortunatly, the can doesn't list the optimum nap length for the viscosity of the paint. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks as always for the help,

Jeff

[David]

Typically a 3/8 nap will do fine. What is the finish underneath? If you have a new home with flat paint, it could be tough to get it in one coat. I didn't on my kitchen, but I was able to on my family room after learning from the kitchen. If the walls soak up the paint, you could consider a primer as primers are cheaper. Darker colors are harder to do with one coat, too.

[woodall83]

One coat normally won't get it, even if they claim it will. It's always good to do at least two coats to make sure you cover any spots you might have inadvertantly missed.

[Jeffrey]

Thanks for the info. The wall are primed plaster and lath that is a very light yellow. They previously had wallpaper over them but that was scrapped and scrubbed off. I guess I'll just do 2 coats.

Thanks,

Jeff