Are you worried that your paint finish will look less than professional? Do you get brushstrokes or unwanted texture in your finish? Avoiding brushstrokes, achieving a smooth application, and getting a professional paint finish is made easy with our ultimate guide – How to Apply Fusion Mineral Paint. When you combine the very best paint, with the very best brushes, perfection comes easily!
Application Tips, tricks, and a few words of wisdom.
When you find your perfect paint project we know you are super keen to get started. The most important step always is the prep! Do not skip the prep process, it will give your paint finish the right foundation to properly adhere to and last generations. Keeping in mind, this is a hand-painted piece, so we must embrace that it won’t look like a sprayed factory finish. If it isn’t perfectly perfect it’s ok! This guide will help give you the knowledge and understanding of how to achieve a smooth flawless finish.
Choosing the right Brush & Tools
The first step to a great paint finish is the very best paint and a good quality brush! Not only should the brush be of good quality it also should be the right size for the job. Imagine you have a 1-inch brush and the top of your dresser is a few feet wide. To get from one side to the other you will have to brush it at least 10 times. That gives you the chance of having 10 brushstrokes in your finish. Using a larger brush covers the area in fewer strokes, instantly eliminating possible brushstrokes. It would not be unusual to use a couple of different-sized brushes for each project depending on its shape and size.
We will be adding a guide to choosing brushes shortly.
The right amount of paint for application
Would you believe that the leading cause of most brushstrokes is using too much paint? It may seem counterintuitive but loading your brush with lots of paint causes brushstrokes because ultimately brush strokes are simply too much product drying with texture created by the brush. The brush should be dipped into the paint no more than halfway up your bristles. You want enough on the brush to be full but not dripping off the paintbrush. Wipe off excess paint. It is a little learning curve to know exactly how much paint to apply, but you’ll be a pro in no time!
Jennylyn, from Fusion, shows you the best practice in this video.
Your aim is to add a couple of thin coats of paint, in the direction of the grain of the wood. Allow dry time between coats, if it seems rough to the touch, you could use soft/medium-grit sandpaper to smooth out any irregularities before applying your second coat.
Unwanted texture in your finish
Fusion is made with 100% industrial-grade acrylic resin which means it doesn’t need a topcoat, is super durable and tough. As this resin dries it holds its shape firmly, so any brushstrokes or texture you have created will stay in the finish. Brushing back and forth as the paint is drying creates this texture. For best application get the paint on your surface ( work in sections ) and work quickly to apply it in nice long strokes in the direction of the wood grain. Once it is covered do not go back over it. Fusion dries quick. Another culprit for unwanted texture is stop and start marks, which can be seen in your end finish. As demonstrated in the image below. So be sure to paint from end to end.
Using a roller
Using a roller on large flat areas cover the surface quickly and evenly. We have 2 types of rollers available, our Microfibre & Velour rollers. Both work extremely well for furniture painting and more. If you have used a roller before you know it can sometimes leave a little texture behind. This is barely visible in the end finish. Even laying off the paint which simply means rolling the paint on and lightly dragging a soft synthetic brush through it to remove the texture. The brush should be at a low angle and a feather-like application.
How long after application should I wait to re-coat?
We recommend 2 hours in between coats of paint for the best results! You can cheat just a little, but remember the reason for waiting is we want the water to evaporate off. The more coats of paint you apply the longer it takes to cure! This includes topcoats, so when painting your projects keep in mind the fewer coats the better. Sanding between coats of paint or even on your final coat can give it a buttery smooth finish. It isn’t needed of course but can eliminate any pesky brushstrokes you find.
Which order should you apply your paint coatings?
The application of paint and finishing products in the right order will help for proper adhesion and the best overall results. They should be applied in this order after proper prep has been done. Water-based products first then Oil-based and then Wax … Wax is always last…always! Fusion Mineral Paint as a built-in topcoat. You really only need a topcoat if you think your surface will get a lot of traffic or use. Our beautiful range of waxes are the perfect decorative accents, More on Top Coats to come.
Here is a handy Fusion Application Guide to keep handy on your phone or even print it out and pin it in your workroom.
