never used oil based paint before. What is the best way to apply with out getting brush marks?

Question

I am painting furniture,staining ,etc needs better wood than I have. Oil based painting is the best alternative. Having only used water based paint before , what is the best way to apply oil based paint to a table top without getting those brush marks and overlap marks? My 1st attempt was a disaster the paint wouldn't flow together and it looked like I used a broom to apply the paint. Any help would be great.

Answer 1

hey benj...

painting with oil base can be a little tricky as you've already experienced...but thats not all your fault - oil base paints used to be a lot more "user friendly" than they are now, but due to recent changes in the v.o.c. regulations (volatile organic compounds) all manufacturers have had to cut back on the types and amounts of solvents used in the construction of oil products. someone mentioned thinning your product with mineral spirits to make it more workable - and that will help, but by doing so you'll be adding back in the very solvents that the gov't has ordered the manufacturers to take out to save the planet from environmental catastrophe...(um, if you couldn't tell, that last statement was dripping with v.o.c. laden sarcasm)...

having said that, when i paint with oil base paints i also thin the product for better application results. instead of using mineral spirits (paint thinner), try using pure gum turpentine (available at paint and hardware stores)...you'll get much better flow and a longer wet edge with turp than with paint thinner...and it smells better...still a v.o.c. no-no but it'll make your product work a lot better. remember when thinning oil base paints with solvent, a little goes a long way - thin at a rate of 5 to 10 per cent...max...

something else you may want to consider is a product called "penetrol" made by the flood company (also available at paint and hardware stores)...penetrol is a proprietary blend of oils and solvents that allows oil base products to flow beautifully - this product will slightly slow the "dry to touch" time, but that's necessary for better flow and leveling...read the label instructions as to the thinning ratio, but i think you'll be best served by thinning at a rate of about 1 pint penetrol per gallon of paint.

while these additives and/or solvents will help, the tools you use are also important. buy the best brush you can afford - it'll make an amazing difference in the appearance and the amount of time it takes you to apply product. when using oil base, always use a natural bristle brush for best results (keep in mind that when working with natural bristle, you will lose a few hairs during application - brush out several strokes on a scrap piece of cardboard to eliminate loose hairs before starting project)... personally, i wouldn't use a foam brush - some people like 'em and have had ok success with them...when using a premium quality paint and tools, you can literally make an oil base finish look as though its been sprayed if you use the proper technique.

the proper technique will take a little bit of practice though...dip only about 1/3 of the bristle into the paint and allow several minutes for the paint to penetrate deeply into the bristle - as i mentioned earlier, brush out a couple of brushfuls on a scrap board to eliminate any loose hairs...once you're ready to start your project, fill your brush again and tap off the excess (don't wipe or scrape), apply your paint in long continual strokes - you'll need to follow a "W" or "N" pattern to distribute the paint evenly, but once distributed, lay off the strokes in one long continuous stroke using just the tips of your brush...do not overbrush oil base paints...even by applying paint in this manner, you'll see some brush marks - allow the paint to do its thing now - leave it alone and most of those brush marks will settle out on their own..refill your brush and continue on...always work into a wet edge of paint, but be careful not to brush back into paint that has started to set.

it's always a good idea that even if one coat covers, put a second coat on and slightly sand in between coats. after the second coat has dried for a day or so, you might want to try buffing out the surface with pumice stone followed by rottenstone (again, both available at paint stores)...you'll be amazed at the results (rubbing with these fine abrasives may not work as well with a polyurethane modified oil)...i hand rub all my oil based projects and the difference is very noticeable...

i hope this info is helpful to you...good luck on your projects and let us know how they turned out.

ric

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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RE:
never used oil based paint before. What is the best way to apply with out getting brush marks?
I am painting furniture,staining ,etc needs better wood than I have. Oil based painting is the best alternative. Having only used water based paint before , what is the best way to apply oil based paint to a table top without getting those brush marks and overlap marks? My 1st attempt was a...

Answer 4

Painting With Oil Based Paint

Answer 5

Check on the container for thinning the paint as most use a paint thinner or mineral oil. Applying two thinner coats reduces drying time and you get a much smoother finish. Major problem with this is matching different batches perfectly.

Also as suggested before, using a sponge brush is a good way of applying lacquers and finishes to furniture so it obviously would work for oil based paints. Better to use thin coats of paint with long brush strokes.

Answer 6

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I have used the old style polyeurathene on trim work as well as furniture I have done over to the point it showed my reflection in it well enough to see my eye lashes. First , Do NOT shake or stir the contents of the can to put bubbles in it. Although I have used hair style brushes many times with great success. I am leaning towards the foam rubber type brushes now days for most people.. As with painting it is in the stroke that you make to how the finish will look. Make a easy and light handed stroke. Like leading an orchestra in a soft part of a song. Flow soft and easy and keep it going. The big thing with the old style is to only brush one direction. NOT BACK AND FORTH. It is the back and forth motion that puts more bubbles into your work. Lightly sand in between coats. They say to put on 3 coats. When you put more then that is when you start to get that deep rich look. The deep transparent look.

Answer 7

If you are not going to spray it then cut the paint with mineral spirits. Keep a cup of it close by and dip your brush in it every other time to keep the paint thin and the brush clog free.

Answer 8

one of the better ways is to use a sponge brush. Although they wear out quickly, they do tend to apply a more even finish than normal brushes and are disposible. You can find them at Walmart and most home improvement stores

Answer 9

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Answer 10

use a natural bristle brush consult your paint dealer, not walmart, for the best one. Combine this advise with bullethead's mineral spirits.