The paint can be applied using just the roller however, the roll on lay off method will give a higher level of gloss. It is also important to note that the second coat of gloss will bring out a higher level of gloss on the finish. Brush up on gloss work. Brushes are the most difficult to use for applying high-gloss latex, but if your project demands it, select a brush with synthetic bristles that have exploded tips. Select a synthetic roller cover.

Ever wonder just how to paint a smooth surface without leaving brush marks?

You see all these items in your house that are painted with a brush, such as cabinets, furniture, railings, trim, baseboards, and other woodwork, yet you don’t see brush marks when a professional does it.

What’s their secret?

When you do it, after everything dries, you see a line-up of deep canyons left behind by the brush. They show your every move, each bristle and strand of brush marks going where you went with your brush.

The truth is there’s no magic going on with the pros. They just use the tricks of the trade. Knowledge + technique + a little experience goes a long way to getting your professional painting look.

Covered below, we open up the book on how to avoid brush marks and also see if you can fix brush marks that are already there.

5 Steps to No More Brush Marks

Here’s the best 5 tips to use to get the most professional look out of your brush painting.

1. Fast Isn’t Always Best

When it comes to painting fast, the most important speed we’re talking about is paint drying time. What’s that old saying about something extremely slow and boring– “it’s like watching paint dry!”

The main reason you get paintbrush marks in the first place is because the paint hasn’t flowed out completely before it’s dried.

So, the first tip in avoiding paintbrush lines is to buy slow-drying paint. This is usually higher quality paint that is labeled to take up to 24-hours to dry.

Beware of labels that say “dry to the touch” after a couple hours, or Quick-Dry. While this might be helpful if you’re in a hurry to complete a project, it may not lead you to the best results.

You really do want to remember that phrase from above about watching paint dry. Remember an even better phrase too when it comes to painting: “Slow Makes Paint Flow!”

And flowing paint means a smoother finish.

The only word of caution here is to be careful not to bump the paint or handle painted surfaces while they’re drying since you may be used to faster drying times.

2. Go Horizontal

A second trick to help you avoid those unwanted brush marks is to always paint on a horizontal plane if possible.

In other words, take down doors for painting or paint trim before installing. This will allow you to lie them flat and paint on top of them, so paint can flow evenly as it dries.

One of a painters best tools is actually a pair of saw-horses. These also help make painting large or long pieces easy as they can be positioned at just the right level.

How To Clean Semi Gloss Paint Brushes

This tip really piggy-backs off of the first one above about paint flowing. A nice, flat surface will allow gravity to pull the paint in all directions evenly…like a small pebble dropping in a placid lake.

So what happens when you paint vertically?

When you paint up and down with a brush those vertical brush lines just stay there as nothing allows them to spread out into each other.

You want those ridges from your brush strokes to flatten out, going side-to-side.

3. Go with the Grain

Another tip that you may already know (but need to do!) is to paint with the grain on wood surfaces.

Go in the same direction as the grain so that any brush strokes that do end up showing, will not be as noticeable.

4. Don’t Skimp, Do Two Coats

Next, realize that just about every paint job, done well, will need at least two coats. This is exactly whatgood, professional painters do.

That means, don’t try to lather it on thickly and soak it on in one coat.

Just make sure to cover the surface area with a good amount of paint evenly. Let it dry, and then come back and apply the second coat.

5. A Quality Brush Means a Quality Job

Finally, always (a big always!), buy a quality paintbrush. You’ll know it’s good because it’ll be a little more expensive than the rest on the shelf.

With proper paintbrush cleaning and care, you’ll have your brush for a long time. Bristles and hairs on these brushes will be of varying lengths and have a “slit-end” look at the ends of them instead of coming to a small point.

This “non-uniform” end lets paint clump more there, giving you a smoother application as paint glides on. Think of layered bangs in a good haircut, or carpeting with many fibers of different lengths – that’s what you’re after.

Now, if for any reason you didn’t end up with a really smooth surface and the paint has already dried, you can carefully sand down the fine grooves and ridges left by a brush with a fine, 120-grit type sandpaper.

Go over with a lint-free damp cloth to clean and try painting again keeping the tips above in mind.

There you have it, a few basic how-tos on avoiding paintbrush marks.

Water-based gloss paint may be increasing in popularity, however it can be difficult to apply. To help professional decorators to achieve the perfect finish, Hamilton, the leading decorating sundries company, will present two different methods of applying this paint and offer advice on how to achieve the best results at this year’s National Painting & Decorating Show.

Although water-based gloss paint has developed to behave more like a solvent-based paint, there are still some characteristics such as short open times and a levelling tendency that can cause issues with application.

Let the roller do the work

One method of achieving a great finish with water-based gloss that is incredibly close to a traditional gloss finish, is by using a roller and laying off brush. Apply paint with a Hamilton Prestige medium pile roller and lay off using the Prestige Laying off brush for best finish. The paint can be applied using just the roller however, the roll on lay off method will give a higher level of gloss. It is also important to note that the second coat of gloss will bring out a higher level of gloss on the finish.

Brush up on gloss work

If you prefer to use a brush, whilst a natural bristle brush remains the best option for solvent-based coatings, a synthetic brush will produce the finest finish with water-based gloss – and this also includes water-based trim paints such as Satinwood.

Hamilton’s synthetic brush options have been developed specifically for use with water-based paints, including water-based gloss, and offer distinct advantages to help decorators achieve the desired professional finish.

Most importantly, the synthetic filaments do not swell in water, which allows the brush tips to stay fine, coupled with the unique finishing of the tips of the Perfection Synthetic brushes this will ensure a perfect finish every time. Philippa Pawson, Director of Marketing at Hamilton said, ’We have seen new launches of water-based glosses in the market place and we are delighted that we offer a number of application alternatives that result in a fantastic finish. We are determined to provide the best possible brushes and rollers for our professional decorators along with the expert advice and expertise that Hamilton is renowned for.’

To see Hamilton’s synthetic brush and roller ranges, along with live demonstrations of the application of water-based gloss paint, as well as the opportunity to purchase a promotional kit which includes a roller and laying off brush, visit Stand Number 55 at the National Painting & Decorating Show.

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