Applying oil-based gloss paint requires meticulous prep and the right tools. Sand your surface smooth, apply an oil-based primer and undercoat, and use a high-quality natural bristle brush or fine mohair roller. Apply thin coats, "lay off" the paint for a flawless finish, and allow proper curing time.
Step-by-step instructions
Natural bristle is the best choice for oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, alkyd enamels, oil stains and oil-based polyurethanes. The highest quality bristles come from mainland China. Experienced, traditional painters will say there's nothing like the finish that a China bristle can provide for oil-based coatings.
The best way to apply oil-based paint for a flawless, durable finish is to prep the surface rigorously, use a high-quality natural-bristle brush or a short-nap mohair roller, and apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat. Oil-based paints have excellent leveling properties, but require long drying times between coats.
The glossy surface of oil-based paints makes it so difficult for any other paint to bond. That's why, if you apply water-based paint straight to oil-based, it will flake and crack as the water-based paint pulls away. So, to get oil-based ready to paint over, you need to take away a lot of that gloss.
Water-based paints contain significantly lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to oil-based paints. As a result, they produce much less odour during the drying and curing process. With proper ventilation, rooms can be used sooner after painting. Discover low VOC paints.
Oil-based paint is durable and glossy, making it ideal for high-traffic woodwork but it's being phased out due to environmental concerns. The strong odors, long drying time, and yellowing over time are key drawbacks of oil-based paints.
Applying Paint Too Thickly, Too Soon
The technique of 'fat over lean' suggests starting with thinner layers of oil, which will ensure that you can build up your paint gradually over time and allow your oil paint to dry appropriately.
Painting water-based paint directly over oil-based paint usually leads to poor adhesion, chipping, and peeling. Because oil and water don't mix, the water-based paint cannot properly grip the smooth, slick oil surface. Over time—or even with light scratching—the paint can flake off in large chunks.
You do not wet your oil painting brushes with water before starting to paint. Because oil and water do not mix, water will ruin the flow of your paint and can cause it to separate, streak, or prevent it from adhering to the canvas.
For oils, natural hog hair brushes are a traditional and reliable choice. Naturally stiff, with bristles that split into two or three tips (known as flags), they hold more paint and deliver it evenly.
These three golden rules — fat over lean, thick over thin, and slow-drying over fast-drying — work together to help you create vibrant, long-lasting oil paintings.
Natural fiber roller covers made with mohair or a blend of polyester and lamb's wool are usually recommended for oil-based paints, varnishes and stains. Synthetic fiber roller covers, on the other hand, are most often recommended for applying latex paints.
Traditional Oil Gloss forms a deeper bond with the surfaces than quick-drying paints. As a result, it offers increased longevity, excellent flow and a smooth, high-shine finish.
To achieve a flawless, brush-mark-free gloss finish: apply paint liberally in the direction of the grain using a high-quality, fine-bristled synthetic brush. Immediately "tip off" the surface with the very tip of an almost dry brush, or use a High-Density Foam Roller to gently smooth out the wet paint.
There are three rules to follow when painting in oils because colours dry at different rates: 'fat over lean', 'slow over fast' and 'thick over thin'.
Can I use dish soap to clean oil paint brushes? Dish soap does a pretty good job on brushes but I recommend you purchase a bar of Ivory soap which will last you longer.
While it does take some setting up, painter's tape is the most effective way for painters to create straight lines. Whether cutting in or making an isolated line, painter's tape can create a straight line on almost any surface.
Whether painting walls at home or working on an artistic canvas, the most common mistakes revolve around rushing preparation and misusing tools. By far, the biggest error is skipping surface preparation. Failing to clean, sand, or repair holes ensures peeling, poor adhesion, and a lackluster finish.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Apply bonding primer Use a bonding primer (a primer designed to stick to hard, glossy surfaces like oil-based paint). This creates a bridge between the two systems. Drying time: Typically touch dry in ~1 hour, recoat in 3–4 hours.
Step #3: Sand Surfaces Before Painting
For previously painted water-based paint, sand with a fine-grit sandpaper. For oil-based paint, a medium-grit sandpaper (100- to 150-grit) should be used. Again, wipe away any debris and allow to dry completely.
These three golden rules — fat over lean, thick over thin, and slow-drying over fast-drying — work together to help you create vibrant, long-lasting oil paintings.
You should avoid skin contact when dealing with oil painting products. Solvents are easily absorbed by your skin so every time you touch some of it, you should immediately wash your hands.
Adding baking soda to paint thickens the mixture and gives it a heavy, gritty texture. It transforms standard acrylic or latex paint into a matte, chalky finish that resembles plaster, concrete, or rustic pottery. It also increases the paint's opacity.