I think you probably needed to sand it and then coat it with a primer before you used the paint.

Hi, Adellabedella;

I did not sand it because I was painting around a fancy border that I wanted to keep. It is finally done, but 5 coats and not too smooth.

Thanks for your input.
Monica

Don't feel bad, I've bought a couple of different things at thrift shop & painting over a sign on wood- still kept showing through, words on metal are sometimes decals & you can still "read" it because the decal raises the letters. So I learned to use electric sander on wood & watch what is on metal. If you aren't happy with it you could take a stiff brush or even old toothbrush, lightly coat with paint little lighter or darker than what your paint was & lightly run your finger over the toothbrush onto a paper towel to see if the light over-spray makes the slightly messy paint less noticeable. You get light speckle (don't wet brush 1st tho) If too much paint wipe brush on paper towel so you get just a little when you do it over your project. Jan

Good idea. I will try that. From now on I will use a primer and not just a sealer.

Thanks,
Monica