Not liking spray painting projects

[jimmyG]

I do a lot of finishing my projects with black rattle can paint.  It's a pain to get paint coverage in all of the nooks and crannies without applying too much on the flat surfaces.  Tried getting in there using a small artist brush then spraying the rest but overall not getting constant coverage. Don't like the finished look brush painting it at all.   Could use a darker wood to start with but I mostly use Baltic birch..  What's a new woodworker to do? 

 

[kmmcrafts]

Leave the pattern on and spray a few coats to get it in the cutout areas first, then remove the pattern is what i do when i need to.. For the most part I use Danish oil and just dip the project into a pan and submerge it then pull it out and let the excess drip off then wipe it dry.. Just be careful with the rags as they can start fire.. I have a burn barrel so I throw them in there and set it on fire.. that's called a controlled burn and not a spontaneous one, LOL..

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Agree with Kevin but will take it a step further. If you are painting a piece or just parts of a piece, leave the pattern on the face and spray lightly on one side. But here is the other trick. if you know you are going to paint the piece then use blue painters tape or tape of your choice on the back side as well and now spray the same way as you did the front with light spray. The 2 separate ways of painting will equal one way of painting but globing too much paint in the frets. Not pretty.  Now if you are painting the back side of the piece the same color as the fret work then no tape needed on back side. I show a few examples of this. One other thing. if you are using a backer on the piece than it again does not matter if you get paint on back side so no tape needed. Now to take this even further if you are  doing multiple colors then make sure you tape off the fret work where you do not want paint to go. That should be self explanatory. 

On both the playing cards and also the Irish items the edges of the fret work has been painted to match the background colors. I do this because it adds depth to the piece as opposed to just using a backer. It all depends on my mood or the project will dictate what needs to be done.  The playing cards is a 2 layer piece with the back piece to be black on one side and maple on the other. Making sure I stayed away from the outside edges.  and the Iris piece are also 2 layered pieces but the back piece is painted green both sides.  

 

 

Edited July 23, 2024 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[jimmyG]

  Never thought of painting the project before removing the pattern which would have saved me a lot of time and frustration this almost first year at scrolling.  

Great advice from experienced artisans, thanks!

[Hawk]

22 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Agree with Kevin but will take it a step further. If you are painting a piece or just parts of a piece, leave the pattern on the face and spray lightly on one side. But here is the other trick. if you know you are going to paint the piece then use blue painters tape or tape of your choice on the back side as well and now spray the same way as you did the front with light spray. The 2 separate ways of painting will equal one way of painting but globing too much paint in the frets. Not pretty.  Now if you are painting the back side of the piece the same color as the fret work then no tape needed on back side. I show a few examples of this. One other thing. if you are using a backer on the piece than it again does not matter if you get paint on back side so no tape needed. Now to take this even further if you are  doing multiple colors then make sure you tape off the fret work where you do not want paint to go. That should be self explanatory. 

On both the playing cards and also the Irish items the edges of the fret work has been painted to match the background colors. I do this because it adds depth to the piece as opposed to just using a backer. It all depends on my mood or the project will dictate what needs to be done.  The playing cards is a 2 layer piece with the back piece to be black on one side and maple on the other. Making sure I stayed away from the outside edges.  and the Iris piece are also 2 layered pieces but the back piece is painted green both sides.  

 

 

Excellent idea, think I'm gonna steal it (lol) for future projects. Thanks for the idea!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

18 minutes ago, Hawk said:

Excellent idea, think I'm gonna steal it (lol) for future projects. Thanks for the idea!

Hey steal away any or all the ideas. I am sure I have learned them from someone before me too. Just been doing this for so long. 

[jimmyG]

On 7/22/2024 at 10:53 PM, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Agree with Kevin but will take it a step further. If you are painting a piece or just parts of a piece, leave the pattern on the face and spray lightly on one side. But here is the other trick. if you know you are going to paint the piece then use blue painters tape or tape of your choice on the back side as well and now spray the same way as you did the front with light spray. The 2 separate ways of painting will equal one way of painting but globing too much paint in the frets. Not pretty.  Now if you are painting the back side of the piece the same color as the fret work then no tape needed on back side. I show a few examples of this. One other thing. if you are using a backer on the piece than it again does not matter if you get paint on back side so no tape needed. Now to take this even further if you are  doing multiple colors then make sure you tape off the fret work where you do not want paint to go. That should be self explanatory. 

On both the playing cards and also the Irish items the edges of the fret work has been painted to match the background colors. I do this because it adds depth to the piece as opposed to just using a backer. It all depends on my mood or the project will dictate what needs to be done.  The playing cards is a 2 layer piece with the back piece to be black on one side and maple on the other. Making sure I stayed away from the outside edges.  and the Iris piece are also 2 layered pieces but the back piece is painted green both sides.  

 

 

 

[jimmyG]

Wish I knew about painting "before" removing the pattern about two dozen projects ago....

Well I used that idea on this cutting and it was a huge time saver and a much neater paint job for sure!
Thanks All.....

[tomsteve]

good topic and understandable.  painting any fretwork can be a bugger. what works for me, if I can explain to to make it understandable. 

first- think like the paint: if I was the paint in the can and wanted to get into the nooks and crannies, how would I want to be sprayed? 

then use clear.

seriously now- I like to use mist coats spraying at a sharp angle so the paint will get into the nooks and crannies. I spray from all angles possible. it takes 3-4 passes to get full coverage everywhere and if im spraying 3/4" I do it from both sides.

 

also, I prefer satin finish. it can hide some imperfections in the paint

[Gonzo]

Never even thought of leaving pattern on and painting the frets. I too am going to have to steal that idea.