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wrote:
dadiOH,
Regarding paint choice... just ignorance on my part. I've worked with
Latex paints many times, but never with Alkyd or Urethane paints. Are
these the same as oil-base paints? Would the primary advantage of
these be better leveling, better hardness? Can I find these products
in HD / Lowes or should I go to a specialty paint store? Thanks for
your responses.

Yes, both are oil based paints, just different resins. My preferance is
for alkyd because it generally seems to flow better. A lot depends on
the brand though, I've used poly that was fine and alkyd that wasn't.

As you surmised, their advantages are better leveling and hardness.
Durability/washability too. You should be able to find them at any
place that sells paint.

One applies them a bit differently though...

1. Use a good, natural bristle brush (next best after a sprayer).

2. With latex, you kinda have to push a semi-gelatinous mass around with
a brush. With oil paint, flow the paint on....keep the brush at a
rather low angle and move it slowly. Your goal is to have an even
thickness everywhere....don't apply so much that it wants to run or
drip...keep a wet edge, blend lightly (brush tips only) perpendicular to
each stroke so the edges feather out thinner one over its neighbor, then
tip off again lightly and fairly rapidly in the original direction.

3. It is very helpful (with latex too) to work toward a window or
artificial light so that the reflection of same in the wet paint shows
you missed areas.

4. Best results will be achieved if what you are painting can be
horizontal.

5. The finished job can only be no better than the surface being
painted. If it is not smooth or has brush marks (in the primer) they
will still be there after the paint has dried and shrunk skin tight.

6. If, after painting and your best efforts and sufficient coats (2-3),
the finished surface isn't as smooth as you like or if there are dust
spots, you can rub it down with #0000 steel wool after it is thourghly
dry (a week or so); that will give a low luster surface which can be
brought up to a greater shine with wax or finer polishing compounds
(like auto rubbing compound et al).

A truly *good* paint job is both rare and a thing of beauty. Last time
I saw the painted kitchen cabinets in the house where I grew up they
were still in good-excellent condition...they had been painted only once
about 50 years previously.

--
dadiOH
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