Our 70's house has the basic nasty dark builder's trim, so we decided to paint it. We washed and primed with BIN. We were surprised how quickly it dried..and it really didn't cover well...but we thought it would be fine. I've always heard good things about that primer. We bought a basic white cabinet and trim paint and a good trim brush. I thought two coats would do it. But after two coats I have brush marks and show thru like crazy.

I'm planning on letting it dry several days and maybe doing a light sanding, then a third coat of paint? Will that work? Will it ever cover?

Thankfully, we started this project with a small office off the family room, that we really don't use and so if it continues to look like poop it's not the end of the world. But I really would like to get the hang of this - we intended to paint all the trim in the house! If it matters, the door frames look worse than the baseboards.


Lilion

 

Can you elaborate on the good trim brush? what size and brand? did you use the same brush for both the primer and the enamel? Did you stir all the solids up off of the bottom of the can of BIN?

Generally 1 coat primer and 2 coats finish is all you need to change the stained trim to white enamel but it's hard to say without knowing both your skill level and the quality of enamel used.

I just had a thought, double check your enamel label - is it pure white, or a tint base. Tint base would be white but wouldn't cover very good without any tint added to it. It's possible the wrong can got picked up off of the shelf

 

I don't use BIN unless I'm trying to cover something really nasty, like permanent marker on a wall or something. I find it's difficult to work with because it dries so fast (and smells so bad).

That said, it wouldn't be responsible for brush marks, that's probably the paint - what are you using?

 

Thank you for answering. I think you hit the nail on the head. We bought all the paint and supplies at Menards and now that I look, the paint says: Dutch Boy Cabinet and Trim Paint, Interior Latex. But in smaller letters it says: Base C. And in teeny tiny letters it says: Must be tinted before using.

So they sold us base and did not tint it and never told us it needed to be tinted so of course, we didn't have it tinted because we just wanted white. I'm seriously annoyed at Menards.

Needless to say, skill level is NOVICE!

The brush is a 2" angle sash brush that says: Painter's Collection, Premium Application, 100% polyester for all paints.

Wonder if Menard's will give me a refund? Because darn it, we were very specific on what we wanted!

So, now that I've done what I've done, will my plan of sanding it a bit and using REAL paint work do you think?

Thanks again,
Lilion

 

Yes they should give you a refund if it wasn't tinted. Also yes, I think that a very light sanding (maybe not even needed except to even out any brush marks) and another coat should fix you up.

Dunno about the brush...but if it cost much less than about $7, probably not the best quality.

 

I paid about $8 for the brush and it looked and feels like a really good brush with a good angle and works great for cutting in. I called them and will be going in for a new can of paint on the house. I'm just incredibly annoyed. I was supposed to get this room completely painted this weekend and I don't even have the trim painted.

Thanks so much. I'd have never thought to look for that, and just painted and painted until I freaked the heck out and bought new trim!

Thanks again.

 

I'm not familiar with that brush brand but it sounds like it might be ok. I do expect you to notice a big difference with the new paint