22
votes
Accepted
Which solvents can be stored in which plastics? -- is there an organic chemist in the house?
A quick google search found me this website, which has a nifty compatibility chart that I've attached below.
Cole-Parmer has a very comprehensive compatibility chart for many solvents (organic or ...
- 12.1k
11
votes
Accepted
Making removable marks on walls for e.g. cabinet installation
When I don't want to make messy marks, it's blue painter's tape all the way. (There are various options, in terms of how long you can leave it on. Just remember to peel it in time.)
- 3,841
10
votes
How can I create a wood-like pattern in white-painted furniture?
What you want is called a "wood graining tool":
The basic idea is to use a darker color stain on top of a lighter color. You rock the tool back and forth to create the knot look of real wood grain.
...
- 381
9
votes
Accepted
How to make a small repair to a piano?
This sort of repair is doable, but fair warning, getting a truly seamless repair is challenging to extremely difficult (read: nearly impossible without experience).
the same black satin look.
First ...
- 64.6k
9
votes
Accepted
Will painting the edges of plywood hide the layers?
If I paint the edges of an oak plywood sheet, will it hide the layers well enough to not show through the paint?
If you're asking whether you will only see a flat, smooth base below the paint (like ...
- 12.1k
9
votes
How do I properly care for my paintbrushes?
Cleaning starts before you use them. Get the brush fully wet with whatever solvent your finish requires (water, mineral spirits, etc). This will help prevent finish from drawing up into the tang of ...
- 8,046
7
votes
Accepted
How do I properly care for my paintbrushes?
TL;DR warning.
Rinsing is, usually, only the first step in brush cleaning. Many paints and varnishes will state on the label that brushes should be washed after use and if this advice is followed ...
- 64.6k
6
votes
Removing Paint from Rough/Coarse Surfaced Beams
They have been painted though and I'm looking for a method to remove the paint, and let the natural wood stand out instead.
I live in an apartment building that used to be a large furniture factory. ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
Painting a built in bookcase?
What type of water based paint makes the most sense for durability and ease of application? (Acrylic? Latex? Waterborne Enamel? Waterborne alkyds? Something else?)
Yes. Sorry, couldn't resist. The ...
- 64.6k
6
votes
Accepted
Remove white paint from old wood fence
If you're starting from scratch without question the most inexpensive way to remove old paint (most finishes in fact) is using a scraper of some sort. Scrapers generally last you the rest of your life,...
- 64.6k
5
votes
Long term, what happens if I paint wet wood?
The usual advice from the lumber yard is to wait a year before painting pressure treated wood. It's really CMA advice which assures that the wood will be ready to paint and avoid the pitfalls of ...
- 3,667
5
votes
Accepted
Long term, what happens if I paint wet wood?
A paint chemist might have a cow over my answer, but I will give it a try.
Regardless of what finish you put on the wood, the surface must be dry. In order to bond with the wood, the finish must ...
- 8,274
5
votes
Accepted
How to achieve a nice wooden like pattern with a white wash look?
I'm not certain what look you're after exactly without a pic as guidance but I'll suggest a couple of alternatives. Note: in both of the suggested approaches below the filled areas will become visible....
- 64.6k
5
votes
Identifying Paint Type on Finished Furniture
Do these photos and observations provide enough information to identify the type of paint (Acrylic, Oil, etc.)? If so, what is it? If not, how do I acquire the other information needed?
I'm afraid ...
- 64.6k
5
votes
Why applying a high gloss Acrylic Clear Coat on our oil-based wood stain has created an inconsistent topcoat
There are multiple reasons this sort of thing can happen, one of the major ones being some inconsistency in the spraying (e.g. changes in angle or distance) or spraying from slightly too far away (...
- 64.6k
4
votes
Accepted
What type of paint would be suitable in terms of durability?
I was thinking of using outdoor paint, like for a house. Is latex based a good choice?
Yes but you'd probably get better results from a dedicated indoor paint.
While paint for outdoor applications ...
- 64.6k
4
votes
What type of paint would be suitable in terms of durability?
If you are willing to spray a finish, I think the go to would be lacquer. This will provide a hard and durable finish that is frequently used on furniture, cabinets, etc.
Paint is always an option ...
- 4,788
4
votes
Removing Paint from Rough/Coarse Surfaced Beams
Unfortunately there are no easy solutions to removing paint from rough wood in situ.
Methylene-chloride paint remover: Dont know how difficult that would be to remove the pain on the rough surface ...
- 64.6k
4
votes
Finish after using chalk paint
Now, on the advice on several websites and my friend you cannot leave bare chalk paint.
To me this begs the question, why use it then?
Now, on the advice on several websites and my friend you ...
- 64.6k
4
votes
Long term, what happens if I paint wet wood?
If I paint wood, for outdoor use, while it is still very wet, what problems can I expect in the long run (2-3 years)?
I think the issues that should concern you are more short term than long term, ...
- 64.6k
4
votes
When it comes to removing multiple layers of paint from a flat surface what are my options?
You might be able to find a commercial paint stripping service in your area. They can safely use aggressive processes to remove the paint. They might even be able to pressure-treat the timber ...
- 141
4
votes
Accepted
When it comes to removing multiple layers of paint from a flat surface what are my options?
Scraping
Although I'm a big advocate of scrapers this isn't something I'd personally do by scraping alone unless I had a paint scraper (AKA hook scraper). A thick layer of paint made up of multiple ...
- 64.6k
4
votes
Accepted
Painting a kid's bed frame
No chipping at all is an unrealistic expectation, but obviously there are paints that are harder-wearing than others. In general if you can find a paint that specifically plugs its durability it will ...
- 64.6k
4
votes
Accepted
How can I protect the part of my piece I don't want painted when painter's tape won't stick?
Back before quality painter's/masking tape was available to the masses, my dad always used a painter's straight edge for cutting into corners and wall/ceiling junctions:
Source: amazon.com
They're ...
- 869
3
votes
How to make a small repair to a piano?
I know this is an old question, but for any future readers it's worth mentioning that the damaged part in the OP's photo is called the keyslip, and it'll be easy to remove on any piano because ...
- 9,558
3
votes
What do I need to know before I lacquer a custom painted guitar body?
In this case the safest bet (you should still check with the artist about the kind of paint used) would be to utilize a waterborne sealer.
The technology has come a long way and is as durable if ...
- 1,091
3
votes
What are the techniques to seal or remove sap?
I burned my pine sign and the pitch was sealed. (The wood I used was old pine siding that I planned thin). Mineral spirits takes most of the pitch off but working at inspecting loads of wood I have ...
- 31
3
votes
How do I achieve a "piano black" high gloss finish on wood?
I know this is an old topic but hopefully this helps someone out.
Painting MDF can be very frustrating. End "grain" in MDF will soak up paint faster than you can apply it.
Sand that with 320 then ...
- 31
3
votes
Accepted
Should I use solid color wood stain or paint for my project?
Outdoor finishes have a hard job. They have to withstand weather (rain, snow, etc.), hot and cold temperatures, and the relentless beating of UV radiation from the sun. People often have unrealistic ...
- 12.1k
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