10 Tips to reduce brush marks
Antonia Marino
10 Tips to Reduce Brush Marks When Painting Furniture
So, you're about to transform your favourite dressing table by painting over the dark wooden finish? But you're starting to get anxious about your abilities?
We've all been there — "what if I'm a terrible painter?", "what if I'm unhappy with it?", "what if it looks messy and amateurish?"
It doesn't matter if you want a distressed or aged look, or a smooth modern finish, you still want it to look professional, don't you?
Of course you do!
Most of that comes down to simply reducing brush marks — yes, it can be that easy!
Here are 10 tips to reduce brush marks when painting furniture:
1. Use a good quality paint, such as the Vintage Paint range. Vintage Paint contains self-levelling ingredients that help your finish smooth out evenly.
2. Use a good quality synthetic brush. Natural bristle brushes, often used for chalk paint, can leave a rougher texture.
3. Prepare your surface carefully. Lightly sand with 120 grit sandpaper to smooth it out, fill any scratches with wood filler, clean thoroughly with detergent, and rinse well.
4. Paint in the direction of the grain for a smooth, even finish.
5. If necessary, thin out the paint slightly so it flows better and dries slower, giving you more working time.
6. Paint quickly to avoid the paint drying as you work. Don’t paint in direct sunlight, extreme heat or cold, or breezy conditions — these cause the paint to dry too fast and prevent it from levelling.
7. Avoid overloading your brush or applying the paint too thickly. Thin, even coats give the smoothest finish.
8. Watch for drips or edge buildup and remove them quickly.
9. Whenever possible, paint surfaces horizontally (like tabletops) rather than vertically (like doors). Horizontal surfaces allow the paint to level out naturally. Remove drawers and doors to paint them flat.
10. Lightly sand between each dry coat, always sanding with the grain. Wipe away all sanding dust before applying the next coat.