So, as I said on the Facebook page I will also start posting tips and tricks for DIY's from now on.
I have done a lot of them lately and it's so much fun to do, but let's start with the basics!
If you are going to DIY with paint these are the steps you should take:
1. Decide on your design. What color will your item be? Should the ironwork be painted as well, are you replacing it with something new or are you going to leave it original?
Sounds logical but really prepare, it would be such a waste if your DIY project fails because you were hasty.
2. Buy all the products you need beforehand, even if you don't need them for the first step. It's really annoying if you miss something when you need it.
Think of paint, brushes, a roller, a paint tray, sandpaper, a product to degrease the surface and tools to demount the ironwork, drawers or doors.
3. Prepare the item. If you don't prepare it properly your paint coat will be damaged by any bump or scratch of your nails, we wouldn't want that. Would we?
Demount all the ironwork and if needed, drill new wholes for what you replace it with.
If you are fixing up a wooden piece, pay attention to the coating. Does it feel greasy or smooth?
If you're answer is greasy, then you should start by using ammonia or
St. Marc on the coating. If not your sandpaper will be filthy and won't work.
I prefer to work with St. Marc because it is easy and opposed to ammonia it smells nice. Dissolve some of it in a bucket of warm water and wash the piece thoroughly. You don't have to clean it with fresh water after, just let it be until it's dry.
When that's done you can use sandpaper to roughen the surface up a little. There is no need to get off all the previous paint, you just want to get off any loose splinters and create a surface where the new paint has grip.
If the item is just smooth, start with sanding and then use St. Marc after.
4. Paint in several, thin layers. It takes extra time but it will give you the best result.
If there are a lot of corners and details, start on those with your brush. Don't use too much paint, that will cause dripping which will look sloppy and won't dry properly.
When all the details are done by brush, fill in the easy parts with the roller. Also roll over the ' brushed' parts gently to smoothen it.
Make sure you let the paint dry completely before you apply a new layer. I usually apply two coats on wooden furniture but you can easily see if it needs another one when it's dry.
If you didn't paint the inside of your piece but you don't really like the old look, use pretty wrapping paper to cover it.
Put your ironwork back on and TATAA! You have finished your DIY!
Are you sprucing up a small or synthetic item? Use spray paint!
1. Wooden item: see preparations above.
Fabric item: make sure there is no dust or filth on it, use your vacuum cleaner.
Plastic item: use St. Marc as above but sand paper isn't needed.
2. Cover your work area with old newspapers. Cover up enough considering the wind when you are outside and attach the cover to your work space with tape.
3. Protect your clothing and use plastic gloves when you need to hold the item to spray it.
4. Again, do several thin layers and don't spray too close to the item.
5. Let it dry completely and you are done!
If you like to spray your item into several colors or you don't want to spray the entire item, cover one side up with paper and tape. Make sure that the side that you are taping is dried properly. Here's a cute example of what you could create this way.
Enjoy your projects!
Love,
Noes
