How to Avoid Paint Brush Strokes With Fusion Mineral Paint

How to Avoid Paint Brush Strokes With Fusion Mineral Paint

Ever wonder how to avoid paint brush strokes when painting furniture or cabinets? Painting involves a meticulous process of ensuring the paint job leaves little to no brush marks on the surface for a smooth finish. Light brush strokes aren’t very bothersome, but the paint job becomes a terrible mess when heavy brush streaks are present. To remedy this, we’re here to share several tips to avoid paintbrush strokes when using Fusion Mineral Paint.

1. Use The Right Paintbrush

Acquiring a smooth finish for any paint job doesn’t necessarily mean you need to use the most expensive paintbrush out there. One essential tip we advise is to find a paintbrush that feels most comfortable to you, as everyone’s hands are built differently.

Working with a heavy brush may be troublesome to the grip; it may have you leave thick, uneven textures on the surface as you paint. On the other hand, lightweight brushes may cost you more paint than you usually would, affecting the overall finish.

When shopping for the right paintbrush, we recommend Fusion’s line of Staalmeester brushes made with a mix of synthetic and natural bristles. Synthetic bristles provide an even and smooth paint application, and natural bristles aid in better paint absorption. Brush shapes are up to preference; you can choose between an angled brush, a flat brush, or a rounded brush, whichever works the best for you.

If you already own a Staalmeester brush or two, you’re off to a good start! As you begin the painting process, make sure to fan through the brush’s bristles first and let some of them fall out. You want to ensure no bristles transfer to the surface as you paint. Clean the brushes after every paint job with Fusion’s Brush Soap to keep them in top shape.

2. Don’t Dip in Too Much Paint

Less is more! As cliche as this sounds, this is also relatable when applying paint on any surface type. You want to achieve that smooth finish by using one thin coat at a time. Heavy amounts of color lead to visible paintbrush strokes and uneven coats of paint. It will also take longer to dry, so there’s a lot more room for error.

Carefully layer thin coats of paint until you reach your desired finish. Then, play it safe by gently removing excess paint on the brush as you dip it into the container each time. Slowly but surely wins the race, after all.

An initial thin layer of Fusion Mineral Paint takes around two hours to dry before it’s ready for a second coat; ultimately when the surface is dry to the touch, re-coat thin layers of paint every four hours for a consistent and smooth finish.

3. Paint in Only One Direction

This habit is the one mistake many beginners make when they start painting, especially on wooden surfaces. Brushing against the grain will surely leave evident brush strokes, resulting in rough textures throughout the painted areas.

Avoid paint brush strokes by coating one end of the area to the other in a single direction. Then, consistently carry that brush across the surface. Don’t go over where you painted in the opposite direction, as that creates texture. Be gentle when you stroke onto the surface, too; pushing the brush too hard onto it may cause pooling and unnecessary dripping.

You can apply this technique seamlessly on small pieces with a paintbrush, but you may have trouble doing this on extra big pieces of furniture or walls. We suggest switching to a lint-free microfiber roller for a more efficient painting application when working with large surface areas.

4. Extend the Life of Your Paint Job with Fusion Paint Extender

Fusion’s paint extender allows you to work with the paint before it dries a bit longer by preventing it from drying so quickly. This is what’s known in the paint industry as “more open time.” Extender can help reduce the appearance of brush strokes.

  • Enhances the flow of Fusion Mineral Paint
  • This product minimizes brush and roller marks
  • Wear on spray guns is reduced
  • The amount of Extender added may affect the cure time.

5. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

A DIY project and knowing how to avoid paint brush strokes doesn’t have to be difficult. Achieving that high gloss look requires separate tools and types of paint. What’s great about painting with Fusion Mineral Paints is how it delivers that rustic yet modern appearance without the need to go overboard. Hand-painted projects are just as beautiful, if not more, than factory-made pieces. So remember to have fun with your work and enjoy the process. Cheers!

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Gaynelle Khan

Gaynelle Khan

A certified Fusion Mineral Paint merchant… we carry the full Fusion line and love refinishing furniture and teaching customers how to “Paint It Beautiful”!

2 Responses

  1. I am new to FMP. I have 2 pieces i would like to transform. I want Bayberry on the bottom and a cream colorwash on high traffic surfaces. Table top and a small dresser with 2 drawers. What do i need for the colorwash or how do i do this technique? Thank you!

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gaynelle-khan
Gaynelle Khan
A certified Fusion Mineral Paint merchant… we carry the full Fusion line and love refinishing furniture and teaching customers how to “Paint It Beautiful”!
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