Hey everyone! I'm in the process of a DIY project where I'm painting our kitchen cabinets. I've already sanded and primed them, but I've hit a snag. Right now, I'm working on the actual paint and I really want to achieve a professional-looking, smooth finish. I've read that many DIYers suggest sanding between coats, but I'm struggling with that. It seems to create an uneven finish and I keep risking sanding down to the white primer underneath, which isn't ideal. On the flip side, if I skip sanding, the texture is too gritty to call it finished, and it's just not sitting right with me.
I'm using a regular brush for the detailed trim, along with a Purdy 3/8" foam roller for the rest, and the paint is Sherwin Williams Urethane Enamel Trim paint.
Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong or tips on how to fix this? Should I consider using more coats, switch my roller, or perhaps something else? I'd really appreciate any advice you might have!
2 Answers
It sounds like you might need a few more coats to get that smooth finish you're after. I've noticed that a more loaded roller can really help, so maybe give that a shot. You could also try switching to a fleece roller instead of foam; they tend to give a more even finish. If you have some test pieces on hand, experimenting wouldn't hurt! I once used a cheap HVLP sprayer, and it gave a super nice finish, but just be careful with the nozzle afterward!
I think the roller you’re using could be part of the issue. It might be worth checking with your paint store to see what brush or roller they recommend for the Sherwin Williams paint—sometimes the right tool makes all the difference!