How To Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes? (Easy 5 Step Guide)

What You Need To Know About How To Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes

Painting isn't hard, but to do a good paint job it's all in the details.

By using the right paint, masking products, and brushes/rollers you can make your paint job turn out superior to other paint jobs.

Supplies You’ll Need For How To Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes:

• Paintbrush
• Paint
• Desired masking materials
• Paint thinner/lacquer thinner
• Sanding sponge (medium grit sandpaper)

And more than supplies, you'll need the proper preparation.

Let's not forget that when the paint is applied to a clean and smooth surface, it ends up looking and sticking a lot better. 

And nothing is worse than applying paint to a loose or dusty surface only to watch it fall off after being wiped down with a microfiber towel.

Brush technique is the same whether you are painting with latex paint, chalk paint, mineral paint, or oil paint. The type of brush, however, may differ from product to product.

Natural bristles are ideal for oil-based paint products, but they have the potential to absorb the water inside latex paints. 

Synthetic brushes are typically okay to use with both latex and solvent-based paints. Just remember to check the paint manufacturer's recommendations before painting 

So let's make your DIY painting project pop! 

Below are the 5 steps that will help you do it.

How To Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes (5 Step Guide)

1. Use A Quality Brush
2. Get The Right Amount Of Paint On The Brush
3. Don't Apply Too Much Pressure To The Brush
4. Leave End Strokes In The Same Direction
5. Use A Roller Or Spray Gun Instead

Step 1 - Use A Quality Brush and Paint

Spend a little extra on the good brush, and your project will turn out with a cleaner finish. Fan through brand new paintbrushes with your fingers to free the bristles from each other. 

What are paintbrushes made out of? 

• Animal hair (horse, badger, ox, hog, pony, sable, etc)
• Nylon
• Polyester
• A mixture of polyester and nylon

The highest quality of brushes come from the hair of an animal and are easy to work with because of the way they easily accept paint. 

There's nothing wrong with using a brush with synthetic bristles--it's more eco-friendly. Synthetic brushes also work well with latex paint.

When using cheap paint brushes you might notice that it's harder to get the ideal smooth finish. 

The same goes when using cheap paint. 

You would be surprised by the differences in the finish when the type of paint changes, and you also won't want to battle the cheap quality paint after you realize how smooth the higher quality paint is applied.

The bottom line is that high-quality paintbrushes hold the paint on the brush better, and they create a smooth finish. They also fall out into your paint job less frequently.

Nothing is worse than pinching your fingers into a fresh paint job to remove a fallen bristle. Plus it wastes time because then you have to wipe the paint off your finger!

Step 2 - Get The Right Amount Of Paint On The Brush

You'll notice insufficient paint on the paintbrush of a cheap painter that wants to use the least amount of paint possible. Now, this isn't to say you need to apply excess paint; just put on more than a little bit.

Paint dripping on the ground? You've got too much on your brush. 

The paint should stay on the tip of the brush.

You never want it to run down onto the handle--that's when problems happen, and you should clean your brush before it gets to the point where the roots of the bristles are caked in paint.

Brush marks on the wall? Not enough paint on the brush. That or you are applying too much pressure; another error that we address in step three.

Step 3 - Don't Apply Too Much Pressure To The Brush

Applying too much pressure is a common beginner mistake in painting in all mediums. There's no need to press down so hard on the paint. 

The idea is to evenly apply the paint into the brush(but not too far down on the bristles), and then let it float on to the surface with a type of buoyancy.

The paint can't float onto its surface if you are putting pressure on it; it just looks ugly. 

Excess pressure results in the paint job looking botched, and the surface you are painting might even show through because the paint is distributed inconsistently.

But then again, if you are painting to be artistic you can throw this advice out the window. It's just nice to know when it comes time to make a couple of bucks in the professional painting world. 

If you have already made the mistake of applying too much pressure to the paint job, and you want to fix it you can always let it dry, go over it with sandpaper or a palm sander, and try another coat of paint to smooth it out.

Step 4 - Leave End Strokes In The Same Direction

You would be surprised the magic of leaving paint strokes in the same direction.

For example, if you are cutting in a bedroom with a paintbrush(which you should always do before rolling), go around the perimeter of the room first with a hand bucket and carefully cut in the edges leaving the strokes all in the same direction.

The same goes for using a paint roller; always paint consistently, and leave the finish coat of paint in the downward direction so that it doesn't end with a reflective and contrasting finish. When painting a solid color it's important to be uniform about it. 

This step is especially crucial when applying the topcoat as this is the final coat that will bring out the quality(or lack thereof) in the paint job.

Step 5 - Use A Foam Roller Or Paint Sprayer Instead

Did someone say brush strokes? 

In modern painting, paint sprayers are taking over. Nowadays, the hard part is covering all surfaces with masking as to not get spray paint everywhere. 

Plus the paint roller gets the starlight when painting homes fast and easy. 

Brushes are used for tasks like cutting in the edges, touch up/hard to reach places as well as to paint furniture, kitchen cabinets, woodwork, and other small projects. 

Sure, you can paint bigger projects with just a brush--but it's going to take a long longer!

Spray guns are relatively easy to use, especially the ones without high precision tips. And remember, you can also apply tips 1-4 from this guide for when you are rolling on the paint. 

Here's an example of how to paint with a brush like a pro.

Read More >> How Do You Paint Your Home's Exterior By Yourself?

Other Valuable Resources on How To Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes

We've left you with some basic painting techniques that will help turn your project into a thought out a masterpiece. 

Here's an idea: have you ever tried floetrol? Floetrol is a water-based paint additive that helps paint application flow smoother. 

Pick up Floetrol off of websites like Amazon if you feel like the paint you are using is hard to work with. Floetrol also helps to reduce wear and tear on spray guns.

You may also want to consider using quality paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Purdy, or Sherwin Williams that will ensure the paint job has a quality finish.

Do your research before painting to ensure you get the right paint for the job. 

Remember, painting is a process.

If you are feeling stressed out or confused, it might be because of insufficient paint prep or knowledge of technique. Take the time to learn the basics first.

And don't forget to ask our professionals here at Pro Paint Corner any other questions concerning your paint job! That's why we're here.

Enjoy and good luck painting without brush strokes!