A nylon 2.5” angled brush is the professional choice for a smooth, even finish. The best roller for cabinets is a foam roller because it has no nap, or surface texture. Thick-napped rollers are designed to hold more paint for better coverage on large walls.
To stop brush marks when painting, use a brush with soft bristles and work with thinner layers of paint. Use a flow enhancer to help the paint glide smoothly and avoid overworking the paint. Also, try using a brush with fewer strokes to maintain a smooth finish. For additional advice, visit my Quora Profile!
To get the smoothest finish on your kitchen cabinetry, a thorough sanding before painting and using a paint sprayer is your best bet. The next best thing is to use a very fine sanding sponge in between coats of primer and paint to smooth out your rolled or brushed surface for the ultimate smooth look.
Firmness:One way to get a smooth finish when painting cabinets is adequate firmness. Softer bristles are more supple and maneuverable but less efficient at even application. Stiff bristles distribute paint more evenly and broadly, making them a more efficient tool.
Acrylic Latex Paint: This is a popular choice for cabinets due to its durability, easy cleanup, and low odor. Look for a high-quality, semi-gloss or satin finish for a smooth surface and easy maintenance.
A nylon 2.5” angled brush is the professional choice for a smooth, even finish. The best roller for cabinets is a foam roller because it has no nap, or surface texture. Thick-napped rollers are designed to hold more paint for better coverage on large walls.
For those looking for paint rollers for a smooth finish, high-density foam rollers should be your first stop. While high-density foam rollers are great, they are not the only option. Lint-free short nap rollers are another excellent choice for achieving a smooth finish.
Soft Nylon & Polyester—Use this type of bristle for all paints, especially semi-gloss and satin finishes. They provide extra flex for smooth application, leave few brush marks, and have an excellent paint capacity.
Using a brush for cabinet painting ensures that you will get a smooth, even finish on your cabinets. A brush can also help get into all the nooks and crannies of your cabinets, which a roller might miss.
A foam paint brush is a highly useful painting tool that may be used by professionals and DIY painters alike. These brushes consist of high-density pads that apply paint without leaving unsightly streaks.
The most likely reason your painted cabinets feel rough is that they didn't get the full sanding they needed before the lacquer went on. A few rough patches here and there can be lightly sanded with 220-grit sandpaper and painted over for a quick fix.
There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean. No matter the types of paint you choose, prepping is an important step in the process.
What is the best method for painting kitchen cabinets? You'll likely want to use both a roller and brush for painting your kitchen cabinets. In general, Soloff says rollers are great for larger, flat areas, “ensuring a smooth, streak-free finish.” Rollers also likely help to make the project go a bit faster.
The Staalmeester Ultimate ONE synthetic brushes will change how you see paintbrushes and it is absolutely the best paint brush for no brush strokes! The blending and quality make of this brush is so good that Jennylyn could not stop raving about it when we got them in stock for the first time.
Paint Cabinets With a Brush and Roller
You want to apply a smooth, thin layer without drips. As with your primer, cut in first with a brush, then use the roller for larger flat surfaces and raised areas. Give each surface one coat. If it looks a bit uneven, that's okay — the second coat will fix it.
Foam brushes can be used for a smooth finish on cabinets, but they're less durable than bristle brushes. We suggest high-quality nylon or polyester brushes for longevity and a finer 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. Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish.
Shellac-Based Primers: Shellac-based primers are known for their superior adhesion, which makes them an excellent option for surfaces that are challenging to paint, such as lacquered or oil-based finishes.
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.
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. In turn, this leads to an uneven texture.
Without sanding, the new coat of paint might peel or cause an orange peel texture. Once sanded, clean the entire surface and scrub away any leftover dust, debris, or grime. Keep in mind that nothing gets smoother by adding more paint, it only gets smoother by sanding between coats.
Avoiding roller marks is easier than preventing brush marks–just add enough paint to the roller and overlap each stroke of the roller whenever possible. Once you've applied the first coat, check your work thoroughly for any paint drips and brush marks and rectify them before the paint dries.
Semi-gloss paint: A popular pick for kitchen cabinets, semi-gloss is a very durable finish with high stain-resistance. These paints reflect more light and have a brighter, cleaner appearance.
Quality 12mm nap rollers will apply an even paint film to your walls and ceilings and give you a great finish, without splattering paint all over you and the floor. Professional painters actually use 20mm nap rollers on ceilings, and 12mm nap rollers on walls.