Sometimes we actually have problems with roller covers shedding even if they are the expensive ones, but really it's usually the cheap ones. The only way to get that roller lint off is to sand. The 'won't be visible after it dries' is just nonsense. Unless the painter is a total noob, he knows that's not true. You should expect for there to be some roller stipple left behind, but it should not look like sagging paint. Maybe they thinned the paint too much.

The good painter buys the best rollers available. They don't shed. They also hold more paint and lay it out more evenly, saving time. The most expensive part of painting is TIME for labor. It is a case of pennywise and pound foolish.

That is one very bad paint job, fire those clowns and hire a real painter to fix the mess. I would blame the GC and make him pay to fix.

Thanks guys for the input. I also spoke to the paint guy at the local store where Benjamin Moore is sold and they also said it is not normal and gave a few potential reasons why it the sagging marks could have happened - wrong primer or wrong roller (too thick).

I use only microfiber rollers from BM with my Aura paint. My walls look like velvet. That is sheer incompetence and laziness (not to mention the bull**** line they fed you about those fibers/dirt disappearing).

If they are not used to Aura, it could account for the weird areas. You can not re-roll Aura. I do a 3 foot wide area on top half of wall. Reload roller and do the bottom half then do 4 top to bottom strokes. It has to be quick and planned out so you aren't going back over areas.

Also I never re use a roller.

Cleo (not a pro-paint ALOT though)

On the contrary, one of the advantages of buying premium rollers is that they can be re-used. It is the cheap ones that rapidly go shaggy, mat down and generally leave excessive texture of the paint film.

I always clean and re use mine a couple times

Thanks again for all the recommendations and suggestions. I bought some Aura specific rollers and the painter tried it and it seems to have solved the issue. So, let that be a lesson for anyone using the Aura paint - get the roller too!

The other factor that could have contributed is the cold. Though I am in California, it's been cold here last couple of weeks (high of 50s and 60s) and the the HVAC is not hooked up yet. Bought a couple of portable space heaters to help.

I'll try washing them next time but they never seem to be smooth. I always figure the money saved by DIY means I can splurge an a few rollers.

Someday, I hope not to do everything myself! I put my foot down at drywalling ever again. Last time I hung drywall, I was 6 months pregnant holding up the ceiling with my head while I screwed it in.

Glad everything worked out.

Being a professional "Custom Painter" of nearly 30+ years as well as a specialist in: Faux finishing, color tint matching, Lacquer products and applications, and extensive field knowledge and experience in all facet areas of painting from industrial coatings right down to interior latex.... I felt compelled to comment on your post. It's not uncommon to run into roller covers that shed upon the first few passes. Yes, even those expensive ones that preach "zero shed"! Ive personally encountered this myself. With that said... any well knowledged "professional" knows that even if it states a performance as such, it's always good practice to "c.y.a." and take the few extra minutes to shed the cover yourself for safe measures. I will even go as far as taking the fresh set up (once shedded) and run my first few passes on a scrap piece of drywall, cardboard or along a wall that's well hidden to allow any straggling hairs to be worked out/off BEFORE I apply in high visibility areas. It's just good practice in my opinion! I'm truly sorry for the state of quality (or lack thereof) your walls were delivered to you in. Shame on the painter who knew better and shame on the GC/PM/SS for not being more poignant in doing their job and ensuring that the quality was nothing short of excellent BEFORE you had to intervene! My best wishes to you and sincerely hope that all has been resolved to satisfactory expectations. (:
Warmest Regards,
Samantha K.
Samantha's Paint & Paper, LLC
Rehoboth Beach, DE

I notice that roller covers go through good and bad periods, just like paint does. I prefer Wooster and notice that sometimes they shed. I always just assumed it was something in the manufacturing. This is really one of the reasons I re-use them. If there is an issue with shedding, they certainly shed less on the second and third time using them. Also, if shedding is a concern, you can run some masking tape around the whole cover and then remove the tape before it's first use. That will remove some of the loose fibers.

quote, it's been cold here last couple of weeks (high of 50s and 60s), cold? LOL. I wish I had that problem here in Maryland.

It is always a good practice, even with premium rollers, to pre-wash them several times. This merely involves running the water over the roller cover and rubbing it, then spinning the roller on your forearm. Finally, take it out and spin it on some surface really fast. Remember, it is only clean water at this point. A side benefit is that a slightly damp roller rapidly picks up the paint

@Sunil Ramakrishnan,

I realized that this post was before your whole home remodel in 2018 is that correct? I just wanted to know if this bad paint job was from the SOD company or another. Also, would you be able to PM me about your whole home remodel process? We are looking to do this and wanted to see what the process was like and learn from others who have gone through it.