Correct roller for cabinet painting

[ruggiero]

We are trying to paint our kitchen cabinets. We have watched a few videos on youtube and the foam roller seems to be the most popular recommendation.
However, we are not getting very good results. See pictures.

- We have thoroughly sanded the cabinet. It's very smooth.
- We have cleaned the surface
- We are using a paint for wood and metal from Johnstones
- We are using a foam roller from M&B Home

We seem to have better results with a brush, but it takes time. We tried a more traditional roller, but it was quite hard to use and it did not actually 'roll'.

Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Wayners]

What paint are you using?
Also that cabinet is neither wood or metal is it?
Most prep doors with fine scotch pad or 240 grade sanding pads.
Clean with a pre paint cleaner like Zinsser universal cleaner.
Use a waterbased adhesion primer.
Then maybe a undercoat if required.
Then two top coats of satin or eggshell paint

 

[chilluk]

As a complete novice, when I painted some furniture I had built I purchased some 2 Fussy Blokes smooth roller sleeves - they are microfibre, not foam. Foam as you can see tends to leave air bubbles. However I also then "layed off" (I think is the term) with a good quality brush. I can't quite remember but they may have been Pro Dec or similar - if painted and left to dry flat, the finish is pretty good if I say so myself. In the end the technique was pretty much application with the roller, finishing with light laying off with the brush.

I did also however primer and undercoat first (was raw MR MDF), and then a few coats of eggshell to finish. Also a very light sand between coats to remove anything left from previous.

 

[foxhole]

Foam rollers blow bubbles into thin paint, mohair are better, you used to be able to buy short bristle rollers which gave a finish close to spraying but not seen those in shops for a while .
Have always used ESP to prime cupboards much quicker and easier than sanding .

 

[foxhole]

Foam rollers blow bubbles into thin paint, mohair are better, you used to be able to buy short bristle rollers which gave a finish close to spraying but seen those in shops.
Have always used ESP to prime cupboards much quicker and easier than sanding .

• Microfibre Short Pile (e.g., ProDec Advance): These are considered top-tier for smooth, lint-free finishes, superior paint loading, and preventing 'orange peel' on trim, doors, and cabinetry. They are suitable for all paint types, including water-based and gloss.