I prefer using water based acrylic paints rather than gloss for the interior woodwork in my house, but it’s an absolute pig to get a nice finish with, as it dries so quickly that it’s difficult to not leave brush marks. The best I can generally do is to try not to over-brush, and the brushmarks that inevitably do occur I at least try to minimise and keep neat.
There must be a way of getting a better finish than I’m currently achieving. Thinning the paint seems to help a little, as does using a natural bristle brush rather than one with synthetic bristles, but it’s still not good enough. Anyone got any top tips here? I’m intrigued by the option of mixing in drying inhibitors, but my google-fu is failing me, and most links refer to artists’ acrylic paints rather than decorating mediums. All insights gratefully received.
Acrylic paints generally come in smaller quantity tubes for artists, water based paints for rooms/woodwork/houses are acrylic latex paint.
Semi-gloss or satin finishes are easier to get brush stroke free. Floetrol is a common additive that extends dry time. Lowes, the Home despot, etc carry it. Get a good brush.
Work quickly, don’t brush back through the wet paint too much. It sounds like your paint is too thick, you want about the consistency of half and half. You don’t have to get full coverage in one coat. Apply one coat, let it dry completely, then another coat.
If you are having trouble cutting nice clean lines, use good masking tape, making sure to burnish the edge. If you do end up using masking tape, don’t try to use one piece for an entire wall, it’s too hard to control a piece that long. Tear off about 4 feet at a time. Stick one end with your “smart” hand, then slowly lay the rest of the piece. Repeat overlapping.
Hope that helps.
Proper priming and thinning help. Quality of paint makes a big difference. You can get a very smooth finish with a fine foam roller and/or flat applicators. I just did a reno where we mostly rolled the trim with acrylic. Looks awesome.
Spraying is how the pros do it. There is also an accelerator that they can add for faster drying. You can rent an airless sprayer and do the whole place in a day.
There are very good acrylic enamels that provide a beautiful smooth finish also
Thank-you indeed to Paintcharge and Fluffy Bob for the knowledgeable information. I went out and bought whatever paint conditioner I could find, which turned out to be Floetrol but at ripoff UK prices (about $25 a litre (~quart) instead of the $11.38 a gallon from Paintcharge’s suppliers), and it does indeed make a big difference. I still can’t eliminate the brush marks entirely, but they’re minimal enough to be acceptable now. I added about 20% BV Floetrol to already slightly thinned brilliant white acrylic.
I was talking paint with the guy in the specialist paint shop (he probably gets that a lot), and he reckoned synthetic bristles gave a better finish with acrylics. So I tried an experiment - synthetic bristle on one door panel, natural bristle on another. He was right, the synthetic bristle gives a much smoother finish with acrylics, so please ignore my assertion otherwise in the OP.
Burnishing the masking tape is a top tip, that never would have occurred to me. Didn’t get a chance to try that on this job, but I’ll definitely try that wrinkle the next time I get my decorating head on.
Top tip also about the paint quality. I must admit the paint I’ve been using is a DIY store brand; not the cheapest, but evidently not the best either. I’ll go to the local paint store again and try a fancier brand next time. I’ve been very tempted to invest in a paint sprayer, they do look very satisfying to use, and I’m intrigued by the idea of acrylic enamels.
Once again, thanks guys.