Disclosed is a paint roller device comprising an inner hub and an outer hub spaced by a cage of wires and adapted for supporting a paint roll sleeve. A cylindrical retainer extends axially outwardly from the outer hub and is adapted to retain a ball therein, the cylindrical retainer being spaced radially inwardly from the periphery of the outer hub to define a gap between an inside surface of the paint roll sleeve when on the roller. The end of the paint roll sleeve on the paint roller device and an end of the retainer define a plane perpendicular to an axis of the roller, and at least a portion of the ball extends a predetermined distance axially outwardly from the plane. The gap between the sleeve and the cylindrical extension prevents paint from interfering with the ball.