Brush Marks / Ropiness.


Some paints have little flowing quality, particularly heavily pigmented primers and heavy bodied undercoatings, and brush mark often occur through the nature of these paints and cannot easily be avoided. Brush marks which remain in a (good quality) gloss enamel paint, however , are usually due to incorrect application as this type of paint is not normally prone to the defect and maintains a natural flow due to its high varnish content.

Where application is at fault it may be the result of using the paint in too heavy a consistency, applying it too thickly or in an uneven film or overbrushing the paint. A poor finish will also result where there is a delay in joining up” wet edge” areas.

When oil paint are applied to highly porous surfaces the medium in the paint can quickly sink, leaving the pigment on the surface which will be difficult to brush, resulting in an unsatisfactory finish.

Treatment:

To avoid brush mark a paint prone to this condition, the paint should be of a moderately thin consistency. Any porous surfaces should be sealed and the paint brushed out to a thin, even coating, cross-brushed and laid off carefully with extremely light strokes of the brushes.