Hand painting using a high end paint brushes with alkyd-base enamel paint will provide a finished painted surface that will be free of any brush marks and look just as professional as if it were spray painted in a shop.

Using this method of applying enamel paint to wood surfaces is much better than spray painting because most DIY homeowners do not have air compressors or the shop space to perform spray painting for a professional outcome. Applying alkyd-base enamel paint with high-quality paint brushes, high-density foam rollers, a shellac-base pigmented primer and good quality alkyd-base enamel paint, along with an additive that promotes better leveling of the paint when it has been applied, it is the most perfect substitute for spray painting.

This is the best painting techniques for wood surfaces for furniture, bathroom and kitchen cabinets. I don’t recommend water based enamel because it will leave brush marks.

I recommend using high quality paint such as Benjamin Moore’s Impervo alkyd-base enamel paint mixed with Flood’s Penetrol leveling additive. It always has provided excellent results. Just follow the manufacturer’s directions when mixing the paint and the additive. You must add enough additive so that the paint flows on smoothly with minimal visible brush marks. If the paint thickens as you work just add a bit more additive and stir the mixture well.

When applying the paint always paint with the grain. Never apply the paint across the wood grain as it will not flow or level properly and will have a poor looking finish. On flat surfaces roll the surface with a high-density foam roller. For a final finish brush the surface by lightly dragging a wet, but not heavily loaded brush tip across the entire length of the surface. This is called tipping off and eliminates most of the brush strokes and helps with the paint leveling.

Latex Enamel Paint

Paint Brushes and Paint Rollers

Painting Corners and Wall to Ceiling Edges

Paint Sheen and Gloss