How to Choose Paint-Tray Capacity for the Job

Pick the smallest tray that fits your roller and coating and lets the work zone run without an unplanned refill. If a fit or coating fact is unknown, hold.

What you need

Model 92078Richard 9 1/2'' green plastic tray, made from recycle material, 2 liters $3.72 each$3.16 each at 12 or more
Model 92113Richard Paint Tray, 18" $11.56 each$10.40 each at 6 or more

coating label and data sheet
roller frame and cover
measured work-zone plan

Steps

Write the job down: work zone, coating and color, roller width, where refills come from, and natural stopping points.
Get the coating quantity from the maker's coverage method and the measured zone. Do not guess from wall area alone.
Check the roller fit. The 92078 is a 2 L, 9 1/2 in. plastic tray. The 92113 is an 18 in. tray.
Check that the coating label and tray instructions allow that tray, liner and contact.
Find a level, protected station with room for spill control.
Use the maker's working fill. Never fill to nominal capacity or the brim.
Planned refills equal the quantity for the zone divided by the working amount per refill, in the same unit.
Dry-prove the empty tray and roller before opening the coating. Record the real refill behavior.

Tips

Nominal size is not working fill, carry load or the amount to use before a natural break.
Choose the larger tray only if it removes a real interruption without breaking a harder requirement.
Fit a liner to its exact parent tray. A liner name does not prove the tray's capacity.
Plastic alone says nothing about coating contact.

Watch out

If the roller, coating, site or working-fill facts are unknown, hold. Do not fill the gap from a similar tray.
Reject a tray that is cracked, distorted, sharp or fouled with residue.
Follow the access and fall-protection plan before carrying a tray up a ladder.

Questions about the right tool for your job? Email cs@hydestore.com or call 508-916-6442.