First emulsion coat has brush strokes - thoughts on improving

[jkn]

Hi All
I've just put a coat of Dulux 'Durance - durable and washable'
silk emulsion on a couple of interior walls. I'd previously lined the
walls with heavy-ish duty textured lining paper. I thinned the paint
slightly beforehand (5% or so) and used a good quality synthetic
brush.

Having dried, the walls are now showing brush marks, something I've
never had problems with before (eg. we recently painted other walls
with the same lining paper with Crown 'Breatheasy' matt emulsion -
fine).

I've read elsewhere that these modern fast-drying emulsions can be
susceptible to showing brushstrokes. Advice seems to include putting
(eg. a second coat) on with a roller and then flattening with a good
quality brush, and/or using a 'paint conditioner' such as Floetrol
(never heard of this until now). Any comments on these ideas, or other
suggestions?

Thanks a lot
J^n

[John Rumm]

Not tried the particular paint you mention, but I did happen to use one
not so long ago (might have been a homebase "own brand") that was
absolutely appalling when applied by a brush, but worked really well
with a roller. This was a very thick emulsion - almost like a gel or a
thixotropic gloss in consistency.

Personally I would give it another coat using one of the small 4" roller
handles and a slightly shaggy fleece. I would not go anywhere near it
with a brush again!

--
Cheers,

John.

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[Tim S]

John Rumm <see.my.s...@nowhere.null> wibbled:

> Not tried the particular paint you mention, but I did happen to use one
> not so long ago (might have been a homebase "own brand") that was
> absolutely appalling when applied by a brush, but worked really well
> with a roller. This was a very thick emulsion - almost like a gel or a
> thixotropic gloss in consistency.
>
> Personally I would give it another coat using one of the small 4" roller
> handles and a slightly shaggy fleece. I would not go anywhere near it
> with a brush again!
>

I've just put on some of the OP's paint (Dulux Endurance), though in "matt".
I did mine with a roller, and it retained a very mild texture from the
rollering, which is fine with matt paint - so I can see how it may have
retained brush marks. This paint is like a medium thick liquid - not
obviously thixotropic, but nonetheless, quite sticky and not prone to runs.

I'd agree that going over again with a roller is probably the best option.
Either that or an incredibly soft brush.

The paint, in every other respect handled quite well though - minimal
splashing and good coverage.

Cheers

Tim

[jkn]

Hi Tim, John - thanks for your comments.

I ended up doing a second coat with a small roller as you suggested,
and having 'conditioned' the paint with this (pricy) Floetrol stuff.
I'm not terribly experienced with painting using a roller... anyway,
the second coat has improved matters somewhat, and it's 'good enough'
now.

I think the surface is very noticable on these walls (they are the
sides of a hall) as the afternoon sun shines straight down it. This
together with the type of paint (almost thixotropic, as mentioned) and
the silk finish, have combined to make it so visible. Anyway, it'll
suffice...

Thanks again
J^n

[Tim S]

jkn <jkn...@nicorp.f9.co.uk> wibbled:

Glad you got a better result.

Glad I don't get the "sun effect" on my first bit of plastering :)