What's the best applicator for latex semi-gloss paint on interior slab doors?

I was told a foam roller was good, but didn't like the test results I got. What do you painting whizzes prefer - Nylon brush, roller, pad? What's the best way to get a smooth-ish finish, short of spraying? Thanks!

 

Short nap roller or brush. Might help if you thin the paint a little bit.

 

What type of door is it? Flat or panels? Do you know what type of paint is currently on the doors?
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/pa...latex-oil.html

For a flat door, 1/4" nap works the best if you just want to roll it and call it good. A heavier nap can be used if you intend to 'tip off' the paint. Basically that means rolling the paint on and then taking a brush and lightly brush over the rolled paint getting rid of the roller stipple and and roller marks.

6 panel doors [and similar] can be rolled with one of those small rollers that use a roller cover 4"-6" wide. If the latex enamel sets up too quick for you, add some Flood's Floetrol or XIM's Extends to the paint.

I've never like the foam brushes or rollers. Pads work great for stain or poly on floors but don't work well for paint.

 

some 1/4" rollers will say they are "mohair", so look for that. Wooster makes one called "candy stripe" that I like.

 

Thanks, @Marksr and @Mitch17. The doors are flat, and have a coat of very old oil-based enamel on them. I sanded them down a bit, and on my test-run on one of the four doors, the latex semi-gloss still had a tough time adhering. I tried rolling it with the foam roller and then using a brush to tip off. I'm planning on using steel wool or some fine sandpaper on the first coat, and using the short-nap roller and brush, as you recommended. Thanks for the suggestions, and if you have more, keep 'em coming! Have a great weekend.

 

If the doors currently have oil base enamel on them you need to coat them with a solvent based primer before switching to latex! Latex paints don't adhere well to oil base enamel. Latex will adhere fine to the oil primer.

I really like the 1/4" mohair roller covers although I've never used them with latex paint.

IMO Wooster makes the best rollers and Purdy the best brushes

 

Yeah, I saw the same thing Mark did - you have to put an oil based primer on these doors first, then you can switch from the oil based paint they have on them now to latex.

 

Ay caramba! So, neither sanding nor a deglosser will work to create a surface that the latex will adhere to properly? The test door seemed to dry okay - just not fully coated. It seems to have adhered well, if not evenly. I hoped that, after roughing the 1st coat up a bit, the second would grab better. If that won't work, can I use the oil-based primer over the new latex semi-gloss, or is that a whole 'nuther mess?

I agree with you on the rollers and brushes, Mark! Those Purdy's are purdy terrific.

 

Sanding and deglosser helps but using an oil base primer is better. If you have any doors you haven't repainted with latex - prime those. Oil primer won't help the doors that already have latex applied over the oil enamel

 

Sounds good, Mark. Thanks for the excellent advice - you saved me some grief!

 

Thank you for the tip, @XSleeper!