How do I avoid brush strokes when painting trim?

Question

I am in the process of repainting several rooms in my home. I have primed everything and am putting new color on. I have used a roller on the walls but plan to use a paint brush on the trim. I want to use a semi-gloss paint on the trim. Are there any steps I can take to make it as smooth as possible without brush strokes showing? I have heard that some paints "settle" better than others. Or can I lightly sand primer surface first? Advice please!!

Also, I want to use latex paint.

Answer 1

I just finished painting my kitchen cabinets with semi-gloss water-based paint. They look great. Over the years, I have tried several things but this is what worked best. High quality paint. I used Life Master. It is expensive but is the best paint I have ever used. Also, I used a high quality brush--no foam. Painting is kind of like other things, if you use good materials you will get a good result.

Answer 2

Start with a quality paint. There are products you can add to the paint to make it flow better. I am not a professional painter, but have been renovating an old building and have just experimented with some products that helped me create a smoother finish. The one I liked best for latex paint was Floetrol. It is a paint conditioner for flat or semi-gloss latex paints and enamels. It really made the paint go on easier (it didn't pull or get sticky anywhere) and it is supposed to minimize the paint brush stroke problem. I think it is worth the extra money to buy the better brushes too. I did some light sanding on some of the surfaces I had primed and didn't have any problems.

You can use foam brushes too, but they don't last long.

If your ever using oil based paint they make another product, Penetrol, which is great too!

Answer 3

Make sure you use a brush specifically designed for trim work. Also, applying two coats of paint will eliminate stroke marks.

Answer 4

I have had a lot of luck with latex, if I use a good quality brush. I put the paint on then I go back over it with just the tips of the brush, Use a light touch. and it works really well.

Answer 5

Use a quality brush that is made for the type of paint you are using. If you look at the labels on the brush packages, it tells you the recommended paint for that brush. Brush the paint on evenly and in one direction.

Answer 6

Hi, I really enjoy painting around my house and some secrets that worked for me is to make the paint lighter... if it is water base mix it with a little water, if it is oil there is a liquid to disolve it. The idea is when the paint is smoother it will flat while it gets dry so you paint it and half hour later you wont see the lines.
Another thing that makes it easy is mixing it with glace... this magic glue-like clear paint makes the paint thin and the best part of it is that you will love the different shades you get in your paint depending on the light.
GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY IT...

Answer 7

instead of using a regular paint brush use one of the foam type ones that have the grayish colored spongy stuff. They don't leave the big brush strokes and usually do a really clean and even job.