Laying off, wet or dry brush?

[e_squared2]

I'm planning to paint a new front door, probably in Zinsser Allcoat Exterior Satin unless anyone has any other recommendations? I've tried rolling and laying off with a brush on previous projects (using water based paints) but without much success. I was never quite clear on whether I should be using a dry brush to lay off, or a brush dampened with water, or paint. When I tried with a dry brush, even lightly, it seemed to pick up the paint and leave horrible track lines and lumps, so either that's wrong or my technique is off! Or with water based paint is it drying too fast? Should I try thinning with water or owatrol or something? Grateful for any advice!

 

[Deleted member 265726]

I did my front door in water based paint - not Zinsser - and used micro foam sleeves in thin coats and lay off using a clean sleeve in areas where there were bubbles. I think I used ProDec or Harris, can't remember to be honest. There is a barely visible texture to the paint which is really only noticeable when I run my palm across. The finish is the best I could achieve without spraying. I'm pretty chuffed with it, neighbours have commented on how good it looks too.

In saying that though, I don't know what the sheen level is of the Allcoat Satin, rolling it in the way i've done above, does tend to matt the appearance of the paint in my experience. In the tricky areas, around the glass reveals, where I brushed, the paint has taken on a different sheen, nobody else sees it but I know it's there.

 

[sparkwright]

I did my front door in water based paint - not Zinsser - and used micro foam sleeves in thin coats and lay off using a clean sleeve in areas where there were bubbles. I think I used ProDec or Harris, can't remember to be honest. There is a barely visible texture to the paint which is really only noticeable when I run my palm across. The finish is the best I could achieve without spraying. I'm pretty chuffed with it, neighbours have commented on how good it looks too.

In saying that though, I don't know what the sheen level is of the Allcoat Satin, rolling it in the way i've done above, does tend to matt the appearance of the paint in my experience. In the tricky areas, around the glass reveals, where I brushed, the paint has taken on a different sheen, nobody else sees it but I know it's there.

So should he use a dry brush, a wet brush, or a dampened-with-water brush?

 

[Deleted member 265726]

So should he use a dry brush, a wet brush, or a dampened-with-water brush?

I'm a DIYer, not a trade. I've offered up a way i've found to combat the inevitable brushmarks left when using water based paints. If you want to offer up your way of doing it, go ahead.

 

[opps]

What style of door is it? Panelled or not.

Floetrol- made by "owatrol" will help to maintain a wet edge. I suspect that your waterbased paint is going off too quickly.

Personally, I can paint a flat door faster, and to a much higher standard using a non-foam backed paint pad than I could with a roller and then try to lay it off.

For many years, my bread and butter was painting MDF cabinets. The largest individual sheet that I ever hand painted was 10ft by 8ft. The (minimal) tramlines were consistent from top to bottom (I did however use a brush at the floor and ceiling, and I was working with oil based eggshell, with loads of Owatrol oil, and a tiny bit of white spirit).

Edit- I would use a wet brush when laying off on the rare occasions when required.

 

[Deleted member 265726]

Here is a quick pic up close of my front door which I did in the way I explained upthread. It is a lot smoother than I could have achieved by brushing alone. I did sand inbetween coats with 180-240 grit. It needs a touch up now tbh but you get the idea.

 

[sparkwright]

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