Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/repainted dressers

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Expert: - 9/5/2009


Question
Hi there,

I spray painted my old bedroom furniture for my daughter to use now.  I used Rustoleum's new Universal in Satin White.  The dressers and headboard have small flowers (about the size of quarters) carved into the drawers, etc.  I wanted to paint them pink, green, and black to match her bedding and bought acrylic paint to do so.  

As soon as I finished painting the first flower I realized the paint was not going to stick.  Do you know of a product I can paint on in those areas to use as a primer, so I can paint the acrylic over top and it will stick?  I'll need to hand paint it as it is a small area (as I wouldn't be able to control spray paint there).  Also, since there are only about 20 flowers I'd like a product that comes in a smaller size.  I don't need a gallon of it- lol.  My daughter and I thank you in advance for any knowledge you can pass on to me!

Jen

Answer
Hi Jen, I'm surprised that you'd have an issue with that paint, as I have used it quite a bit as well. What type of acrylics are you using? Is it in tubes, or little squeeze bottles? If in the latter, were you sure to stir the paint well? You can get a good primer in a quart can, I like Zinserr's Bullseye 1-2-3, for like $6-8, which is a white primer that will stick to just about anything. I still believe that you should not have to use that, however....even if you have to do 2 coats of the acrylic, you should be able to get them to stick, and get fine results with it.The first coat may likely go on a bit watery, and thin looking, but once dry, the second coat should be much better, and adhere very well to the first... I like the Liquitex acrylics, and they're color strength and variety is very good.....please feel free to post back- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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