On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 19:42:59 +0100, "Eric the Red"
wrote:

Frank, your comments on paint pads is interesting. I have used these for
emulsioning walls and been pleased with the results. Being quick, less messy
than a roller and gave good coverage. Just never thought to use them on
gloss work.

For my last project a friend did suggest spray painting so I got a can of
spray from a diy store. Yes the coat of paint was smoother but the coverage
was patchy and would have required at least another 2 cans to give a decent
coat. At around £6 a can I thought this was an expensive route to take for
want is not a big unit so ended sanding and painting by hand.

Eric.


Eric, I used to be a professional pseudo-antique furnitue finisher
making pieces for museum displays. A chippy would knock the piece up
in plywood and it was my job to make it look like an ancient, genuine
Tudor, or Victorian or whatever period piece. I remember I always used
a spray gun, and finished most things in cellulose. Cellulose as you
probably know is what they uised to finish cars with in the old days.
It sprays nicely, and is very easy to rub down between coats, and the
equipment cleans up easily because cellulose remans soluble even after
it dries. Clear cellulose can be mixed with colours to produce the
wood effects you want. I used to buy all my tins of cellulose from a
car refinishing supplies shop. I suspect they still sell it, as it is
good for touch-up work. You also buy your cellulose thinners from the
same place. You can (if you really hunt around) still buy cellulose in
spray cans, but of course there is one big, big disadvantage in doing
that: you can't mix up your own colours. Also, with a spray gun and an
airbrush, you have much better control. You can, for axample, create a
darker, aged patina in the little nooks and crannies of your piece

As for paint pads, yes, you can use them for most kinds of oil-based
paints and varnishes. In fact, today, I have been varnishing my
104-year old floorboards using paint pads. Much nicer to use than a
brush: no brush strokes and no loose hairs coming adrift.

HTH

Frank