On 21 Jan 2005 07:18:01 -0800, "Ron Short" wrote:

I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
would do.

This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.

Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
paint be Ok or something else.

I dunno, but if you seal it with some coats of clear finish before
painting, might it be easier to strip later on (even though maple does have
tight grain, anyway)? That way, if she insists on paint and some time
later she says those magic words, "Yunno, Dad, I think you were right," it
will be easier to remedy. FWIW. -- Igor