How do I get a smooth finish with gloss paint?

Author: Colby Braun  |  Last update: Thursday, January 29, 2026

To get a desirable smooth finish when understanding how to paint a wall with gloss, wait patiently until the primer is fully dry, then lightly sand the surface to perfection with the Ultimate Aluminium Oxide Fine Paper.

How to get rid of brush strokes in gloss paint?

If the brush strokes are particularly bad, and there isn't a ton of paint layers to sand down, cover the brush strokes with a thin layer of lightweight Spackle. When the spackle is dry, but not too hard, you can sand it using dry sandpaper.

What gives the smoothest paint finish?

Use a Quality Brush or Roller: A high-quality synthetic brush or a foam roller can help achieve a smooth finish. For flat surfaces, a foam roller is preferable. Apply Thin Coats: Use thin, even coats of paint to avoid drips and ensure smoothness. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick coat.

Is it better to paint gloss with a roller or brush?

Using a roller will make the job much easier and faster, and the covering much better. The ``orange peel'' finish will smoothen out soon after you have applied the paint. For reasonably smooth surfaces definitely use a roller.

How to make gloss paint flow better?

With liquid gloss, the best tip is not to apply too much. Apply several thin layers. The tip to add some turps is an OK, in the sense that adding more turps or white spirit will reduce the viscosity of the paint and therefore improve flow and leveling.

How to Paint a Window Sill | Get a perfect finish with gloss paints when painting a window sill!

Why is my gloss paint not smooth?

To get a desirable smooth finish when understanding how to paint a wall with gloss, wait patiently until the primer is fully dry, then lightly sand the surface to perfection with the Ultimate Aluminium Oxide Fine Paper.

How to get a smooth gloss finish?

How to Get a Smooth Finish with Gloss Paint
  1. Prep the Surface. ...
  2. Apply an Undercoat. ...
  3. Abrade the Surface Again. ...
  4. Prepare your Gloss. ...
  5. Cut in with a brush. ...
  6. Use Roller to Paint the Middles. ...
  7. Lay Off.

How do you get a smooth gloss finish with a roller?

Use light pressure: As mentioned earlier, avoid pressing too hard on the roller as this can cause unwanted textures. Instead, use light pressure and let the roller do the work for you. Roll in one direction: When laying on the paint, roll in one direction to avoid creating visible lines or uneven coverage.

How can I paint gloss without roller marks?

5 Tips for beginners: how to get rid of and prevent paint roller marks
  1. Tip #1: Extra coat of paint. Try another coat of paint. ...
  2. Tip #2: Sandpaper. Use sand paper. ...
  3. Tip #3: Roller size. Use the right roller size. ...
  4. Tip #4: Roller type. Use the right roller. ...
  5. Tip #5: Paint quantity. Purchase the right amount of paint.

Are foam rollers good for gloss?

Most of our trade customers avoid foam for solvent based paints but this option can be useful on occasion and for water based glosses etc.

How do you paint perfectly smooth?

By painting with a very light touch, you can create a smooth, flat finish with ease. If you're finding the paint a little thick, dilute it with water to help it go on even more smoothly. You can also sand lightly when done, too. After painting, seal indoor furniture with Chalk Paint™ Wax.

How to eliminate brush strokes when painting?

There are a few ways to fix paint brush strokes. You can use a thinner to make the paint flow more smoothly. Use a liner brush and clean up the edges of your stroke. Also, you can use a dry brush or another type of brush with a smaller tip to blend in your strokes.

Why is my paint not coming out smooth?

Old paint might have debris or clumps (even if it's an unopened can!) and new paint might need to be stirred.

What type of brush is best for gloss paint?

What Is the Best Paint Brushes For Gloss? Traditionally professional decorators would use a natural bristle brush for gloss paints, however as we have mentioned good quality synthetic brushes are just as effective and much cheaper today.

How to prep for gloss paint?

Wash all surfaces with warm soapy water or Selleys® Sugar Soap to ensure it is clean, dry and free of oil, grease or mildew. Fill nail holes and cracks with a suitable filler, then sand smooth. Stir well before use with a broad flat paddle using an up and down scooping action.

What to add to paint for smooth finish?

Paint additives seem like an extravagance, but many products like Floetrol and Penetrol slew down the drying process, which makes the final product thinner and smoother. Thinner paint lays down better than thicker paint and helps hide brush marks. Thick paint looks, well, gloppy, and lumpy.

What roller is best for smooth gloss finish?

Mohair - This fabric is perfect for applying oil based and water based gloss & semi-gloss paints. Foam - This nap provides a fine, blemish free finish. Perfect for high gloss finishes.

Will a second coat of paint get rid of roller marks?

Also, a second coat of paint helps remove roller marks by allowing you to feather out some of the unevenness in the finish. You can do this by overlapping the uneven areas to create a more uniform finish.

Why is my paint still patchy after 4 coats?

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.

How to get gloss paint smooth?

If painting over raw wood, lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper, so they are smoothed out. If you are painting over varnish or gloss paint, you will need to either gently sand the layer away or strip the paint using a specific product, depending on how thick the layer of paint you have to remove is.

What paint roller gives the smoothest finish?

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.

How to avoid brush marks in gloss paint?

Laying off.

Use Short Flat Brush for large areas, or the Round Gloss Brush for detail areas. Load the brush and wipe away any excess paint, then paint very lightly, very gently one final coat with the gloss.

Is a foam roller best for gloss paint?

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.

How do you fix a bad gloss paint job?

To fix this:
  1. Sand the area down. Patching may be necessary afterward, be careful as it may take off underlying paint. If severe enough, it may be easier to patch the whole area.
  2. Clean it.
  3. Prime it.
  4. Repaint it.

Why does my gloss paint look flat?

UNDERSTANDING GLOSS

Light that hits such a surface is reflected and scattered in many different directions so it appears “flat” to the eye.

Previous article
What is the Honeywell code for thermostat?
Next article
What is the highest rated insulation?