3. Sand Again
You will need to re-sand after priming raw wood or even if you're painting wood that has been stained. Primer isn't going to be smooth, it will need to be sanded down smooth. Not a lot of pressure will be needed.
Your final piece should be nice and smooth to the touch when you're done. This step will really pay off. Like the last step, you'll want to get rid of the dust either with a vacuum or with a rag dipped in alcohol.
4. Paint the Wood
Choose the Paint
Be sure that you choose the right paint for the job. Don't use an exterior grade paint indoors or vice versa, and don't use flat paint unless you don't care how dirty a thing looks after a while. At least go with an eggshell or satin, if not semi-gloss or gloss. There are new washable flats on the market that are preferable to the traditional flats.
Painting Tools
Purchase a quality brush--recommended is a Wooster 2" brush, the kind that will paint latex or oil, or a similar brand. Beware of generic brands, as they may shed their bristles all over your wet paint.
Get a 1.5-gallon bucket with a roller screen. Again, make sure the roller pad or roller cover you get won't shed, especially if you're using a higher gloss paint.
Paint the Wood
Get your roller arm damp by rolling it down onto the surface of the paint--don't submerge it--and then roll it out onto the screen in the bucket.
Spread the paint on the wood by using a "W" pattern, then quickly take your brush--with the tips only dipped in paint--and paint along the direction of the grain. The trick is speed, and not to re-work what you've painted once it's begun to dry.
Avoid Tackiness
If you have a hard time with the paint being tacky or wanting to drag your brush, then you can either pick up the pace or buy a product that extends open time. You also want to be sure you're not painting underneath a fan or heater vent, or in open sunlight or wind. These can all contribute to faster tackiness. Some products that extend open time are Penetrol, strictly for use with oil paints. An extender to use with latex paints is Floetrol.
