What is the best way to paint an untextured door?

My husband bought these unfinished French doors at Home Depot, and has already painted and stripped them twice. The first time, he got a lot of brush marks, so he did spray paint the second time (our sprayer crapped out on us). The second time, he was able to scratch at the paint and leave marks. What can we do to fix this??
  7 answers
  • Beth Gee Beth Gee on Mar 28, 2015
    I used a sponge roller on ours and it looked great. Actually I have done it twice with a sponge roller and it looks great.
  • Jimrusk Jimrusk on Mar 28, 2015
    You need to use a good primer first and let it dry. Then paint it. It will come out so much better with what ever method of painting you use.
  • MagnoliaMama MagnoliaMama on Mar 28, 2015
    Now that you have already painted them and must hide what is there, select a high-hiding oil-base primer. It will cover everything and provides the best base possible for whatever other paint you choose, including oil, acrylic or latex paints.
  • Me Me on Mar 28, 2015
    yes, the little sponge rollers are great for this type of project.
  • Moxie Moxie on Mar 28, 2015
    I agree with the sponge roller completely...after 100% dry, you may want to consider adding a coat of poly (satin if you don't want shiny) to protect the finish.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Mar 28, 2015
    use a paint brush and dip it in a little water, it won't leave brush marks if you do this. I use this in furniture when it's to cold to paint. I paint then dip the tip into water and paint over it. Comes out prefect every time.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Mar 29, 2015
    Roll on a high-adherent primer like Zinzer 1-2-3. There are some paints that are self levelling and give the smooth finish that used to be obtained by old oil base paints. (Benjamin Moore has an advanced composite paint that is self-levelling.) This would help reduce brush marks but I would use a roller. Then apply poly acrylic clear (won't yellow) to further protect as suggested by Moxie..