I hear you on the drying time—Floetrol’s a bit of a patience test, especially if you’re in a rush or the weather’s just not cooperating. I’ve had better luck using it in cooler months, honestly. One thing I started doing is lightly sanding between coats with a super fine grit, even with the Floetrol mixed in. It’s a little extra work, but it really helps get that pro look without piling on more product or risking drips. And yeah, thinning too much can be a pain... learned that the hard way on some baseboards that ended up looking almost translucent.
Yeah, sanding between coats is a game changer, even if it’s a bit of a pain. I’ve tried skipping it to save time, but always end up regretting it. Floetrol’s great for leveling, but man, that wait... I’ve started using a cheap box fan to help things along. Not fancy, but it works. And thinning too much? Been there—my closet trim looked like it was painted with skim milk.
You’re not alone with the “skim milk” paint look—been there, too many times. Here’s the thing:
- Sanding between coats really is the secret sauce. It’s tedious, but it pays off, especially if you’re flipping or renting out and want that wow factor.
- Floetrol’s a solid move for leveling, but yeah, the dry time can drag. I’ve used a box fan as well—nothing fancy, just gets air moving and helps a bit.
- Thinning paint is tricky. I’ve ruined more than one door frame by getting impatient and adding too much water. Sometimes less is more.
Couple things I’ve picked up over the years:
- Don’t stress about perfection. Most buyers or tenants aren’t inspecting trim with a magnifying glass.
- If you mess up a coat, let it dry, sand it back, and go again. It’s annoying, but it’s fixable.
- Cheap brushes will make your life harder. Spend a few extra bucks on a decent angled sash brush—it makes cutting in way easier and leaves fewer streaks.
Honestly, you’re doing all the right stuff. It’s always tempting to cut corners to save time or money, but those little details add up in resale value or rental appeal. And hey, every project teaches you something new... even if it’s just how not to do it next time.
I hear you on the sanding—honestly, I used to skip it thinking it was overkill, but once I actually tried it, the difference was night and day. One thing I’ve wrestled with in my old place is whether to use oil-based or water-based paint for trim. The old woodwork seems to hold up better with oil, but the cleanup’s a pain and the smell lingers. Have you noticed a big difference in durability or finish between the two? I keep going back and forth on it.
I totally get the back-and-forth. I’ve always felt like oil-based gives that super smooth, almost glassy finish, but man, the fumes linger for days. Water-based is so much easier to live with, but sometimes I feel like it chips faster—maybe that’s just me being rough on doors? Have you ever tried one of those hybrid alkyds? I’m curious if they’re actually a good compromise or just marketing.
