What is the best paint brush for smooth finish on cabinets?

Author: Estelle Swift  |  Last update: Thursday, April 17, 2025

Which brushes do professionals recommend for a smooth paint finish on cabinets? Professionals often recommend Purdy or Wooster brushes with soft, synthetic bristles that don't lose their shape. These brushes offer a consistent and smooth finish.

What is the best brush for smooth cabinets?

The best paint brush for a smooth finish is the Purdy Nylox Glide brush. It has super soft bristles that do not leave brush marks. It's perfect to use with latex paint. Projects that are perfect for this paint brush include painting cabinets, trim, furniture and doors.

How to get the smoothest finish when painting cabinets?

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.

Which paint brush gives the smoothest 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.

What brush is best for a smooth finish?

The Best Paintbrushes for a Smooth Finish
  • Square Brush
  • Triangle Brush
  • Round Brush
  • 2'' Palm Pro Brush
  • 2'' Chiseled Wedge Brush

Best Paint Roller for Cabinets and Furniture for a Smooth Finish

How do you paint a smooth surface without brush marks?

To achieve a smooth finish without brush marks or roller lines and stipple, we recommend the “roll and back tip” technique. This method ensures an even coat without leaving behind visible brush or roller marks. First, load your roller with paint and apply it in a long even stroke along a section of trim or door.

How to eliminate brush strokes when painting cabinets?

When painting larger cabinet surfaces like doors and drawer fronts, it's essential to maintain a “wet edge.” This means overlapping your brush strokes slightly while the paint is still wet. This technique helps to blend the brush marks and achieve a smoother finish.

What paint roller gives the smoothest finish on cabinets?

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.

Do foam brushes give a smooth finish?

Foam Brushes.

Their greatest selling point is they are inexpensive. But when it comes to applying a smooth coat of clear finish, such as polyurethane, a foam brush is not my first choice. Instead of bristles, it has a blade. The blunt sides leave two parallel ridges of finish, like a snowplow on the highway.

Why do my cabinets feel rough after painting?

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.

What do professional painters use to paint cabinets?

We usually use professional-grade lacquer because it has a lovely, silky-smooth feel to it, and is what cabinet manufacturers use. We think it's the best paint for cabinets, hands-down (although there are some great pro-level water-based options as well).

Is a stiff or soft brush better for painting cabinets?

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.

How do you get a super smooth finish on cabinets?

You'll apply primer first with a brush to “cut in” those hard-to-reach crevices and edges, then go back over the surface with a roller. After your primer is dry, sand everything gently with 220-grit sandpaper. Remove dust with a tack cloth or compressed air, and get ready to paint.

What is a smoothing brush?

Hairbrushes for Smoothing and Finishing

The hairbrushes in our smoothing and finishing range are designed to help you achieve that silky texture with a glossy finish without causing damage. They are made from superior-quality materials and our guarantee of centuries worth of expert craftsmanship.

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

Alec Willard, another Purdy professional painter, recommends using a 2-inch bristle brush when painting the small, inside planes of the cabinet base, then finishing the area with a 3/8-inch mini roller.

What is the best brush for painting cabinets?

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.

What roller brushes are best for smooth 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.

How do you prevent roller marks when painting cabinets?

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.

How do you hide 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 streaky on cabinets?

Several factors can lead to a streaky paint job. First, roller marks are a common culprit. These can occur when the paint roller isn't fully immersed in the paint or is applied unevenly, leaving a patchy, streaky appearance once the paint has dried. Second, brush marks are another common cause of streaks.

Does chalk paint leave brush strokes?

Chalk Paint® wasn't just created for vintage, distressed looks. You can also easily create an authentic mid-Century modern look by applying the paint smoothly. By using a Flat Brush and lightly feathering, you can easily banish brushstrokes altogether.

What kind of paint brush gives the smoothest finish?

If you're painting a smooth surface, use a White China Bristle for a super-smooth finish. When painting a textured surface, a Black China Bristle will work best because it's slightly stiffer, more durable, and is excellent for high-productivity applications.

How do painters get smooth finish?

If you want your paint to have a smooth finish, the technique you use is very important. Keep your brush at a 90-degree angle while applying the paint and feather as you go. Between coats, sand the wall lightly using a very high grit sand sponge of at least 220 grit.

What paint brush doesn't leave brush marks?

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.

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