For flat, eggshell, and satin finishes, knit roller covers do the job more efficiently. For consistent control and smooth finish, we recommend microfiber roller covers. 1/4″ – Use for ultra-smooth surfaces like cabinets, doors & metal.
You can use just about any roller you want. For the smoothest finish, you will want either a foam roller for 1/4'' nap. For a lightly textured finish, you may want 3/8 or 1/2'' nap, maybe even 3/4''. If you are after a particular result you might experiment on a small area before buying the paint you need.
Apply your eggshell paint like a pro
To get the best finish, we'd recommend using a synthetic bristle brush and lightly dampening the surface to allow the paint to flow smoothly for a fabulous finish.
When applying an eggshell or satin finish paint on walls it is important to roll back over the cut in while the paint is still wet, this is called rolling wet on wet. Otherwise if you let the cut in dry, not only are the brush strokes very visible, but the cut in and the rolling may have different tones to their color.
Eggshell paints tend to show more cracks, divots, and other imperfections in the wall due to their slight light-reflecting sheen. Matte paint, with its flat finish, tends to hide these blemishes due to its low light reflectance.
Wall finishes like matte and eggshell are best applied with a 3/8" nap. Semi gloss finishes on doors and trim are best applied with a 1/4" nap.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
Inconsistent Coverage Can Cause Paint Streaks
You should aim to use the same amount of paint every time you bring the paintbrush or roller brush back to the paint tray for more. By keeping the amount of paint you use consistent, you'll be keeping the amount of paint that goes up on the wall consistent, too.
Choose your brush
You can use any brush, but softer, tapered bristles tend to promote a smoother finish. Try to avoid those with stiff and/or flat cut bristles. These can easily cause drag lines, creating brushmarks and encouraging overworking of the paint.
Patchy paint can result if paint has been applied unevenly. Patchy paint can be down to a variation in surface absorption. Walls might appear patchy if they have variation in texture. Using paint that is not fully mixed can cause a patchy appearance.
Our pro tip for painting furniture in eggshell paint is to prep well. Treat any knots with knotting solution first, prime if you need to (though eggshell takes best on bare, untreated wood) and let each coat dry thoroughly and sand between coats. No more boring furniture!
If you scrub too hard, you might leave behind faded or discolored areas. Eggshell- and satin-finish paints tend to be easier to clean than flat finishes but require a gentler touch than semi- or high-gloss paint. Use a mild cleaning solution and a soft, warm cloth. Test a small area first.
So repaint with flat, recoat with flat clear, or knock down the egg gloss level with abrasive materials are the only options that i know.
Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4″ roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best.
Simply put, brushes are perfect for minor (but nonetheless crucial) painting tasks like cutting in edges, touching up coats, and covering small, thin, and/or angled surfaces (i.e. trim, moldings, frames, outlets), while rollers are designed to efficiently cover large, open, uninterrupted areas (walls, floors, ceilings, ...
The downsides of eggshell paint
Albeit less expensive than other types of paint, eggshell paint will most likely require a coat to spruce the room up much sooner than satin paint would, for instance. It is also rather challenging to freshen up the look of the walls just where it's needed.
Short or medium pile microfibre mini rollers are the best when applying water-based, woodwork paints, such as Quick Dry Eggshell, Quick Dry Satinwood or Quick Dry Gloss. Avoid using foam mini rollers when applying Quick Dry products, as these can cause paint bubbles to form when rolled onto the surface.
One of the most popular types of wall paint, eggshell finish provides a low sheen and a soft, smooth finish just like a true eggshell. Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms. Eggshell paint is more washable than flat sheens, and it resists stains and scuffs.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!
Take care not to overwork or stretch the paint too thinly, as you might with a traditional solvent-borne paint. This paint finish can also be applied using a medium pile woven polyester roller. This will provide a good finish with minimal stippling and is a quick method of application.
Apply two coats using a brush or roller. A third coat may be necessary depending on the colour of the topcoat and the original surface colour. To achieve an even finish, make sure you lay off in one direction for the final coat. Modern Eggshell is touch dry in two hours and can be recoated in four hours.
The Harris Ultimate brushes have been specifically designed and engineered to apply gloss, eggshell and satin paints effortlessly, to giving you a fine finish. The Harris Ultimate brushes have been specifically designed and engineered to apply gloss, eggshell and satin paints effortlessly, to giving you a fine finish.