Gloss paint on wood: anyone used a roller?

Leif

I think I've mastered applying emulsion to walls well enough for a decent finish. And I did a section of MDF skirting and it looks okay. But I am now about to paint flat doors with gloss paint. I've sanded them down well to key the new paint. I'm using one coat primer if there is bare hardboard showing, then two coats undercoat (Dulux oil based) and one coat gloss (Dulux oil based). Paint is left to dry overnight before the next coat is applied. The doors are off their hinges, and laid flat on a table to paint.

Advice would be appreciated.

I tried painting in squares (using the loft door as a practice piece first), but it seems impossible to avoid lines (from bristles) and unevenness in the surface. I'm not applying much paint, trying to get a thin coat, so maybe that is the problem. The paint is thick and not exactly easy to spread. I am using a Purdy brush as I am told they are good.

Also I have read about using a 4" mohair roller, presumably as per emulsion but with a smaller tray. Has anyone used a roller? How is it done and does it work well?

I hated painting walls at first, but got the hang of it, but this wood painting is awful.

tanith

We did some door with a small radiator roller and tray it worked fine but we still had to do the rebated panels with a brush, it wasn't a perfect finish but the OH isn't a perfectionist when it comes to DIY.. but ok for an amateur

crazyguy

Never heard or anyone or used a roller with gloss before, bite the bullet glossing is a pain staking job, pratice makes perfect.

I just coat as thin as poss and do 2-3 coats

DVardysShadow

Purdy brush? I did a google and they come up on places like screwfix and toolstation. Not on professional paint and decorating suppliers sites. They seem to have artificial bristles too. I don't think they are the tool for the job. For what you are doing, bristle brushes are best. Hamilton's are the bees knees, but there are cheaper alternatives.

As for your technique, yes, you should not apply too much paint, but I wonder if your problem in part is that you are painting too thinly? Brush marks in the texture are inevitable - you can reduce this by applying the paint in one direction and finishing by light strokes with the tip of the brush at right angels. Brush marks in the colour arise from a number of causes, including not mixing the paint correctly and painting too thinly - or even painting correctly but with insufficient coats.

googler

Have you considered spraying them?

You'd need to mask the rest of the room to avoid overspray going everywhere....

Leif

googler wrote: »

Have you considered spraying them?

You'd need to mask the rest of the room to avoid overspray going everywhere....

I considered that but it seems that a) there is a lot of mess and b) the sprayer is hard to clean. Have you sprayed?

Leif

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Purdy brush? I did a google and they come up on places like screwfix and toolstation. Not on professional paint and decorating suppliers sites. They seem to have artificial bristles too. I don't think they are the tool for the job. For what you are doing, bristle brushes are best. Hamilton's are the bees knees, but there are cheaper alternatives.

As for your technique, yes, you should not apply too much paint, but I wonder if your problem in part is that you are painting too thinly? Brush marks in the texture are inevitable - you can reduce this by applying the paint in one direction and finishing by light strokes with the tip of the brush at right angels. Brush marks in the colour arise from a number of causes, including not mixing the paint correctly and painting too thinly - or even painting correctly but with insufficient coats.

A builder told me to use a Purdy. They are available from Kane Adam locally which seems to be a trade place.

It could be I am applying the paint too thin. I will use a spare piece of painted plywood, and try a thicker coat and see how I get on. I found it got stickier fairly quickly, and hard to spread. I think the problem is lack of experience which means I do not have a feel for the paint, whereas painting the kitchen taught me enough to feel comfortable with emulsion, and cutting in.

I think I will try a 4" mohair roller too.

[Deleted User]

I too have found doors difficult to paint with brushes.., and used a roller. The effect was far better. Skirting boards were ok with a brush, i guess its the width of a door that makes it easier to get brush marks.

nickj_2

use something like these http://www.screwfix.com/p/acorn-mini-gloss-rollers-4-pack-of-10/87143
to put the paint on , then lightly go over them with a brush to get rid of the dimples ,

tanith

nickj wrote: »

use something like these http://www.screwfix.com/p/acorn-mini-gloss-rollers-4-pack-of-10/87143
to put the paint on , then lightly go over them with a brush to get rid of the dimples ,

This is what we used and it came out fine.. found it good for wide window sills too

saxonrosecliff

nickj wrote: »

use something like these http://www.screwfix.com/p/acorn-mini-gloss-rollers-4-pack-of-10/87143
to put the paint on , then lightly go over them with a brush to get rid of the dimples ,

I've used these as well for painting wooden wardrobe doors. Foam rollers gave a much better finish, although you have to make sure that you push the roller as far as it will go on the holder to stop it coming off when you are mid-paint (I speak from experience!).