This post is essentially an ode to my beloved Urethane Trim Enamel by Sherwin Williams. I’ve used it quite a few times now, and it’s become one of my favorite paints to use for trim and furniture.
I just recently finished a dresser makeover (see the before here) and chose a gorgeous red (Chinese Red from the Historic Duron Collection for SW) in a gloss finish, and once again this paint has amazed me!
It looks like I used a paint sprayer, right?! Or maybe like I hired a professional to give this dresser an enamel finish?! But nope. Regular ol’ mediocre DIY’er me used a simple roller and a brush and ended up with this incredibly yummy finish!
This paint is just that good. It yields a smooth, brush-and-roller-mark-free finish every time.
I was a bit skeptical going into this project. I mean, I’m not a Urethane Trim Enamel newbie, but I’d never before used it in a gloss finish. I thought for sure the gloss sheen would show some marks. But to my surprise and delight, the gloss finish delivers the same smooth, gorgeous results as the semi-gloss and satin finish.
This paint is great for furniture because it holds up nicely to regular wear and tear and is easily wipeable, but it’s also ideal for doors and trim. I used it in a semigloss finish earlier this year on this bedroom hallway project.
While the semigloss and gloss finish are great, the satin is also a nice option. I used it on this furniture makeover for my husband’s office, and it’s held up perfectly. I opted for satin here because I wanted this piece to blend into the wall rather than command a lot of attention.
But the project that made me fall in love with SW’s Urethane Trim Enamel is this ombre chest of drawers makeover I did for my daughter’s bedroom a few years ago.
This was the first time I’d ever used this paint, and it’s been a love affair ever since.
Painting Tips when Using SW Urethane Trim Enamel
I’ve learned a few things through trial and error with each different project.
– Make sure you have good ventilation if you’re painting indoors.
– Allow for plenty of drying time between coats. This paint takes a bit longer to dry, and you’ll end up with the best results if you allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
– A foam roller seems to be the perfect tool to appy this paint, and a short handled angeled brush (this one is my favorite!) is great for nooks and crannies. A paint sprayer is great, but it’s not necessary to achieve great results. In every project featured above I hand rolled and brushed.
– You can apply a topcoat, but it’s not really necessary. This paint gives a nice, durable, wipeable finish.
– Light sanding and the use of a primer is needed when painting over glossy finishes.
If you’ve got a furniture makeover or trim project on the horizon, I highly recommed giving Sherwin William’s Urethane Trim Enamel a go. Don’t be intimidated. You don’t have to be a pro to get great results using this paint. So far I’ve only ever used this paint for interior projects, but this is an interior/exterior paint.
