How to avoid brush marks when painting?
 

I am painting some cabinets. I am trying to get a smooth high gloss look. I am getting brush marks. Anyone have any tips?

Might try thinning the product so it doesn't go on as thick. It will take more coats but give you a smoother look. Plus, it's good to sand between coats with fine steel wool.

Make sure you dont skimp on brushes or on paint. Buy the highest quality you can afford, and make sure your paint is the right grade-high gloss or enamel will look best.

Water-borne paints have a higher degree of flow out and leveling than ordinary latex. Muralo would be an excellent choice. If you want to use ordinary latex, consider adding Floetrol made by the Flood company and available in quality paint stores. It will help to increase flow out and reduce brush marks. Can't say enough about good brushes-stanky brushes will make for a stanky job, even with good paint in the hands of a pro. I pay top $ for my brushes, take good care of them, and it shows in my work. It may be too late for you, but if I were painting cabinets, I'd consider using a top quality alkyd or linseed oil based enamel. Yes, cleanup is a PITA and it's stanky to work with, but the final results are fabu.

how about you try spraying it?

Don't over-brush. Use as few strokes as possible to get teh paint on, then leave it alone. It will smooth itself out a bit if you let it.

Also, don't obsess. Go look at something painted with a smooth shiny surface. Look closely - BRUSH MARKS! You become much more aware of them if it is your own work.

Yeah...the only true way is to use spray paint. That's why cars look so nice.

I went and bought a 50$ can of industrial oil-based boat paint to paint my cabinets. I used a high quality brush and the shit is thicker than anything i've ever used. It looks like white glass on my cabinets. I'd recommend it, but it only comes in a gloss white. (unless that's what you want)