What are the Features to Look for in a Paint Tray

Here are the eight features to look for in a paint tray before purchasing it:

1. Built-in Grid or Ridges: Look for the paint trays with built-in grids that remove the excess paint from roller covers. These are the zigzag lines inside the paint tray. Ridges protect the roller cover from overloading, spills, and drips. It helps to apply paint smoothly and in an even manner on the substrate. Move the roller back and forth on these grids to tap off unnecessary paint before painting. 
2. Anti-Spill Edges: Select the paint trays with rims on four sides to catch the extra paint from brush bristles and rollers. These raised rims protect the floor or paint drop cloth from paint spills when the roller gets overloaded. Buckets also have these raised edges to act as an alternative if paint trays are not available. 
3. Ergonomic Grip or Handles: Make sure to check the grip and handles of the paint tray before purchasing it. Paint trays with filled paint pockets are hard to carry and move along without handles. The chances of spills, stains, and damage rise to 50%. Ergonomic grips of paint trays are inward of the sides, and they are not visible like the handles of buckets. These grips make it convenient to carry these trays around the home or climb ladders. 
4. Tray Material: Paint trays are made up of plastic, aluminium, metal, and steel. It takes 50 to 2000 years for a plastic sheet to degrade. Manufacturers also produce eco-friendly paint trays, which work best for one-time use. These biodegradable paint trays are made up of paper pulp, plant-based materials, or even mushroom-based packaging. They do not increase pollution and are the best alternative for sustainable painting. 
5. Liner Compatibility: Liners are detachable grids or ridges in a paint tray. Unlike the grids that come built in, homeowners insert these liners for their ease. They are made up of plastic and come in various sizes to match the paint tray sizes. Look for the one that fits in the paint tray and install it before pouring the paint. They are easy to clean with running water, and many people throw them away after using them once. 
6. Paint Capacity: Paint capacity is also called paint pocket and deep well. It is the deep structure within the paint tray where paint is poured. This deep well carries a large amount of paint for large projects and reduces the hassle of refilling again. Don’t overfill the paint pocket, as it leaks or drips when moved vigorously.
7. Ladder Hooks: Ladder hooks are the curved C-shaped rings that hold the paint tray to the ladder. It reduces the need to carry the paint tray in the hands for painters. Just hang, dip, roll, and paint is good to go. Look for the paint trays with strong hooks, as some plastic trays can not stand heavy weight, which leads to accidents and paint spills. 
8. Stability Base: Look for the paint tray with a plain base without an irregular design to place it on the floor. Textured paint tary base works well as it reduces the chances of slips on concrete tiles. Choose the paint tray with feet (mini stands) as they maintain the balance and prevent the tray from falling or sliding.

What are the Types of Paint Trays

Here are the four types of paint trays on the basis of their material and function:

1. Plastic Trays: Plastic paint trays are made up of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP). They are lightweight and easy to move. Paint trays are reusable after washing. They are not prone to corrosion and damage like steel and metal ones. 
2. Metal Trays: Metal trays are durable and last long. They carry more paint and do not move after hooking up to ladders. They are strong and work best for heavy paint formulations or thick consistency paint. Metal trays are available in different sizes, from standard to medium and scuttles. Scuttles are large (extra) paint trays that hold more paint than other sizes. Homeowners also insert metal grids in buckets in case they don’t have a metal tray. Metal trays are also reused after being properly washed.
3. Disposable Inserts: Disposable liners are added inside paint trays to create a zigzag pattern or slope for roller painting. They come in different heights, dimensions, and the general size is 9 inches. Apart from liners, homeowners also use aluminum foil, plastic grocery bags, and plastic wrap as an alternative to these liners. They wrap the trays from the inside out and create a thick layer between the paint and the paint tray material. They remove these wraps easily after painting, which reduces expense and the need for new paint trays or liners.
4. Deep-Well Trays: Deep-well trays have larger paint-holding pockets than standard paint trays. Metal trays with deep wells hold more paint and do not sag. Homeowners fill these wells according to the surface area to be painted. Don’t pour too much paint than required as it increases paint wastage and expenses.

How Do I Choose the Right Paint Tray Size?

Here are the three factors to consider when choosing the right paint tray size:

1. Standard 9-Inch Trays: Paint trays are available in 4-inch, 9-inch, and 11-inch sizes. Choose the standard 9-inch paint trays for walls and ceilings. The surface to be painted and the size of the roller frame define the paint tray size. Choosing a 4-inch paint tray for an 18-26 mm roller frame is a waste of money.
2. Mini Trays: Select mini trays when painting trims, cabinets, and frames. They work well with mini roller covers (3-5 mm) and provide a smooth finish.
3. Jumbo Trays: Choose large trays for painting walls, floors, ceilings, and high-traffic areas. They hold more paint and reduce the hassle of refilling. 

How to Use a Paint Tray Properly

Here are the seven tips to use a paint tray appropriately:

1. Pour Paint Correctly: Fill paint in deep wells (paint pocket) of paint tray slowly. Don’t overfill it as it spills when moving. It’s recommended to pour paint at least with a 2 to 3 inch gap from the paint tray to avoid overflow. 
2. Load Roller Evenly: Dip the roller in a deep well and move it back and forth on the sloped built-in grid of the paint tray. Move the roller cover until it soaks up the paint, and dry off the excess. Uneven paint on roller covers leads to strokes and roller marks on the substrate.
3. Avoid Overloading: Don’t overload the rollers just to escape the re-dip loop. Overloaded rollers leave paint patches and strokes on the substrate.
4. Reapply as Needed: Re-dip the roller into the deep well and follow the same procedure to reapply again. Don’t forget to roll on ridges before repainting. 
5. Use a Liner (Optional): Use a liner or a plastic bag to reduce the cleanup mess. Many people often get frustrated even when they have to wash the liners. A professional has recommended that we allow the paint to dry and then peel it off. This technique works in thick latex-based paints. Try the paint rotation tip, where homeowners change the liner after a few hours to let the first disposable liner dry and peel off easily. A UK decorator suggested using liners only for porous or chalky paints. They don’t come off easily compared to latex paints. Scuttle liners for porous paints due to their large size.
6. Stabilize the Tray: Place the tray on a flat and slip-resistant surface to avoid sliding during painting. Don’t put it on plastic sheet drop cloths, as they are highly slippery and increase the chances of paint spills when loading rollers.
7. Clean After Use: Don’t forget to clean the liners and trays after painting. Remove the excess paint or let it dry to peel it. Put water and soap in a bucket of warm water. Dip the steel and metal trays in it for a while. Pull them out and rinse them with water. Allow them to dry in the open air and then store them in a suitable place for future use.

What are the Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for Paint Trays

Washing the reusable paint trays is important to store them properly. Use water and soap to remove latex, acrylic-based paints. Dip the paint tray in mineral oil spirits to remove the oil-based paints. Let them dip in until all the paint peels off to the touch. Rinse and then clean them with a dry piece of cloth. It’s important to clean the paint trays immediately after use with a sponge or scrub. Failure to do so leads to hard to hard-to-clean stains, a bad VOC smell, and a mess at home.