03/22/2018
Great write up on what happens before the magic!
CAN WE TALK?
I have been seeing a lot of misinformation being propegated on social media lately, and I really just wanted to share my heart with you.
So come in. Have a seat. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let's talk.
There is plenty of chatter going back and forth about prep/no prep. I have seen people that paint as a business, have lots of followers on social media, and even teach their "techniques" to others, touting the fact that they do not prep. Many of these individuals produce beautiful looking pieces of furniture. So what's the big deal?
A great paint job, like a building, is only as good as the foundation it is built upon. What good is a beautiful home (or paint finish) if the foundation underneath is not going to support it? Whether you are a fellow painter, or a consumer that appreciates and purchases lovely pieces, it is up to you to educate yourself. As a painter, I want my finishes to look amazing for years to come. And to that end, I do everything I can to ensure the longevity and durability of my work. Here is a quick run down of what happens to every piece that comes into my shop:
1. A quick cleaning and thorough inspection of the piece. Removing cobwebs, cleaning the underside. Removing drawers, cleaning out drawer cavaties, removing hardware, and washing down the piece.
2. Sanding down the piece.
3. REPAIRS. This is where any gluing, clamping, bracing, etc takes place. The piece must be solid and structurally sound.
4. Once all repairs are dried/set, I will sand down again to make sure all surfaces are smooth, then wash down again and let dry.
5. PRIMING. Here is where the piece starts to come alive. I use a high bonding primer for maximum adhesion. I use a shellac based primer over woods that I anticipate tannins bleed through and also over wood knots so they do not show through the paint.
6. After priming, imperfections in the surfaces that might have been missed on first inspection will rear their ugly head. Now is the time to address any of those issues. If wood filler is needed (for scratches & gouges that may not have been visible before priming), I will fill areas, let dry, sand smooth, then spot prime.
7. Now she is starting to take shape. My final step before starting the painting process is to go lightly over the primed surface with a fine sandpaper to knock off any nubs and leave a silky smooth surface for my paint. Dust is removed with a damp rag and, once the surface is dried, I am ready to create.
Whether you buy a piece from me or from someone else, I want you to know that there is a difference in what happens BEFORE the pretty stuff. Ask them what their process is. Find out how much they invest to make sure that pretty piece looks good after you get it home and live with it. And if you are taking educational courses, please make sure they are teaching you the right way to do it.
I do not pretend to be an expert, not by any means. But my 25+ years in the painting, wallpaper and decor industry has taught me a lot. I want to give my clients the very best product that I can so, to that end, I don't take any shortcuts. Lots of work, and love, goes into every piece. I hope this has helped to answer some of the questions you might have had about what constitutes a good paint job.
Thanks for letting me bend your ear. Have a blessed (& colorful) day. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
