The back sat on the points (not the heads) of the nails. The smell of his painting oils is one that is very nostalgic and takes me back to my childhood. in detail, so that thing is maintained over here. The type you use will be determined by the type of paint you’re using, as there are conditioners made specifically for oil-based paint (oil-based paints are always my first choice for cabinets), and there are paint conditioners specifically made for latex paints. After the primer has dried completely, I always give the cabinets and doors one last sanding.  I use 150-grit sandpaper, and I sand by hand. Talk about enlightened. Beth, if your trying to achieve a glossy finish, I wouldn’t recommend a roller. She, however uses a self leveling paint in multiple coats and the finished product looked amazing. You do want to make the finish as smooth as possible, but don’t be too concerned if you see brush strokes. He retired just as decals were coming in. I do personally have issues with the sheen, though. Paint without brush marks or strokes valspar cabinet enamel painting how to paint kitchen cabinets bob vila how to paint a door without brush marks. The finish is so good that one cannot tell it is not factory painted! Since this is one of the most frequently asked questions I get, I’d like to share with you my tips and steps on how to paint cabinets with a paint brush and get a near-perfect finish. Love your site!! If you notice a spot you missed, wait the hour for the paint to dry and then reapply paint. I don’t always follow my own advice here (mostly because in this tiny condo, I don’t have adequate space to have cabinet doors lying around), but I do notice that when I place the cabinet doors horizontally to paint and dry, gravity takes it course, and helps to minimize the brush strokes even further. I personally prefer to use oil-based paint on trim and doors (as well as cabinets, as I mentioned in this post), but if you’re absolutely opposed to oil-based paint, then latex will work. The brushing technique used to apply oil-based paint will help to eliminate brush marks. My only complaint about that paint was the sheen. One of the benefits of using paint conditioner is that it extends the drying time of the paint.  That, coupled with painting the doors horizontally and allowing gravity to smooth the brush strokes (and having longer to do so) will give you an almost flawless finish. Thanks. Didn’t like it for solid painting but is good if you want some antique looking brush strokes here and there. Thank you so much for all the help. Your site was the first place I have been to with cut and dry helpful information. It still looks fabulous after 3 years. What are your thoughts on B.I.N. If you have unsightly brush marks left over from a bad paint job on walls, take heart. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Do you have a post on re-staining cabinets? advice. Eliminate Paint Brush Marks Here are some of the easy steps by which the users can easily get rid of the brush strokes while painting cabinets: Gather All The Material And Tools : Firstly start by collecting all the tools and the materials like Dish soap, Screwdriver, sandpaper, Orbital sander, Soft rags, primer, Roller, painters tape, Paint sprayer, plastic sheets, paint and paint pen in order to accomplish this task. It was very hard to sand smooth. This may be a very elementary question but why do you sand again after priming? The first in a 2018 series, How-To Tuesday that incorporates both brand new and updated posts from the archives. No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, therefore he/she wants to be available that Roll on the paint in smooth, straight, up-and-down lines. *Sand the primer. Since your cabinets are already finished (i.e., stained and sealed), you’d either have to completely strip them and then restain, or you’d have to use a gel stain. I love the idea of the polyurethane in matte on top though, and that’s a really great tip. I love love love all your posts : ) <3 can you also email me your posts? Thanks so much. That paint is awesome, and I feel like I’m wasting money paying for it and then topcoating it. Probably not very often, right? Tip 8: Pressure. Fabulous indepth tutorial. Even if I roll incredibly lightly over the surface to smooth out those ridges, they’re still there. Sometimes, however, painting with a paint brush is necessary and you can still get a smooth finish with a paint brush if you follow these tips. How do you prevent brush strokes when painting walls? A 2-inch is the perfect size. Krista. Work quickly when smoothing out strokes, as brush strokes become permanent once the paint has dried. Working in sections will help you finish areas while the paint is still wet. Thanks so much for sharing! Sidney Johns began her writing career in 1993 after moving to Florida. I thought you just sand before priming? Perhaps you can write next articles regarding this article. Although the new mdf hollow core panel doors were said to have been primed it took three to four coats of acrylic furniture finish paint. Thank you so much you have saved my furniture, my nerves, and quite possibly my marriage lol! Secure a 120-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper sheet to the hand-held sander. This answered all the questions I had earlier. I personally find that the larger the surface, the harder it is to get rid of the ridges that are left by the edges of the roller. Make sure any loose paint is removed and you’ve sanded the surface smooth. Also keep in mind that if you’re painting outside, and it’s a windy day, this will work against you as well.  It’s best to work in an area where your doors will be protected from wind. (1.2) Make some warm soapy water to remove grease, dirt, and debris. Allow to dry. However, I do find that a brush that’s just a bit smaller is easier for painting the stiles and rails on cabinets and cabinet doors.  For that, I like to use a 1.5-inch angled sash brush.  It just seems to be the perfect size to get the paint into and onto all of the right places, without being so wide that it pushes paint over the edges causing paint build-up. The first in a new 2018 series on how to transform … You only purchased a brush to apply the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformation kit. Fill the paint sprayer with paint and spray the drawer front and each side of the doors. Hi there, I have followed these instructions to a T but can’t seem to figure out if you recommend two coats of the oil paint. “To avoid this, always paint the backs of the doors first, let them dry completely, and then flip them over and paint the fronts.”. I’ve followed recommendations from this site and others and I STILL have visible brush marks on my new cabinet doors. Thank you again for such a great tutorial…even if I have only seen it now 7 years later😉. Or look in the phone book for a company that supplies sign shops with their shop supplies and paint. So it’s worth it to take the time to get it right! 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