Abstract: A paint roller cover for protecting a wet paint roller element from drying out when not in use includes upper and lower half sections joined along a common edge by a hinge and each formed with a corresponding depression that, when the halves are closed upon one another, defines an enclosed elongate chamber between the halves of such size and shape to accommodate a roller element. At one end of the chamber, the mating walls of the half sections are formed with opposed semicircular recesses that, when the half sections are brought together, align to form an opening of such size and position to accept the rod of the roller handle. The cover is further provided with a means of locking the half sections securely but releasably in the closed position once installed about the roller. The half sections may be conveniently molded as one piece from plastics materials, joined across a living hinge and carrying interlocking formations that engage when the halves are brought together to lock the cover closed.