DIY painting - what am I doing wrong?

[foxyvox]

Bit of a rant, bit of a vent, bit of a please help me I don't know what I'm doing wrong type of post.
I've decided to paint the kitchen cupboards, in an effort to feel like I have some control over the 573938493 jobs that our new house purchase has thrown at us.
I've stripped the old paint off and painted it with grey primer for wood.
About 12 hours later I've painted it with Little Green paint, using both a roller and a brush.
To my eyes, it looks like a disaster so far.
The paint isn't sticking in an uniform way, and it seems to lift the primer off and generate uneven bumps on the surface. Going over it several times seems to make it a lot worse. I seem to have only a few seconds to brush the paint in, afterwhich it becomes a sticky mess that doesn't spread properly (and the primer starts to come off). I've attached some close up pictures. Ideas welcome. Thank you.

How long does the primer say to leave it before painting over it?

It says dry to touch in an hour but allow 2-4 hours between coats.

It looks like too much paint or too thick.
Furniture paint is good no primer or under coat needed. I’ve been using it this week and was pleasantly surprised.

Sounds like you've used a type or brand of primer that's incompatible with the brand or paint-type of topcoat.

Full instructions for preparation should be on the tin of topcoat, including what kid of primer it requires.

@DustyMaiden lovely, what paint have you used please and what primer?

After you stripped it did you clean it?

It looks very shiny. Is it gloss? A Matt paint is best in the kitchen.

i'm no expert but done some research on this- you can sand it off and then try thin coats with sanding in between coats- they say multiple thin coat is better than one thick coat

Full sympathy btw. It’s so annoying when you think you’re going to get a task completed and it just doesn’t go how you expect!

That's an interesting idea. I'm using a wood primer, and a water based paint - I hadn't realised they can be incompatible.

Yes, with sugar soap.

zinsser BIN 1-2-3 is the best primer around, they do one for all surface

Yes, gloss - I had a few matt samples and they looked quite dull on the cabinets.

I was thinking that may be the only solution. Thank you.

Thank you; I should have known better than to pin my hopes on my first go at painting something!

the last pic doesn't look so bad, it may take 3 or 4 coats as it is a dark colour, hang in there!

Is it water based?

I haven’t used little greene, but with other water based gloss, after many failed attempts I have found it works best if you dilute it with water slightly, roll it on then immediately and very gently, go over it with a clean brush. I didn’t measure exactly, but just poured some in a tray and add a few drops of water to thin it out.

Don’t keep going over or try to smooth out any imperfections whilst the paint starts to dry. Don’t layer the paint while it’s wet. Better to leave it to dry fully, then sand out any imperfections before the next coats.

Is the heating on right now? It may be too cold to paint if the room isn't well heated - below about 10C can cause issues.

I think it looks like you are trying to spread the paint too far. Also remember that it will take more than one coat and dried paint will look more opaque than while it's still wet. As someone suggested and very light sand and wipe between coats. Looks like it's going to take a few coats.

My painter chap says one should paint with a foam roller. And if not, sand between the layers to avoid obvious brushstrokes.

Gloss show every imperfection, an eggshell would be better?

This is such good advice, thank you, will try it!

Above 10! (which feels like an achievment in today's climate)

I've used both (on different areas). I think as someone said above the primer was incompatible with the paint; It's going on much better as a second coat.

Great. Give it a gentle gentle sand in between now and the final coat. Will be worth it!

Yes this I made that mistake once and ended up with a sticky mess. You are probably using oil based paint with water based paint. The paint and primer either needs to boyh be oil based or both be water based or you get toffee.