Folks,
BACKGROUND: Doing restoration work at a McMansion with a “6 year leak and mold issues”. Moral: glue those closet bends on the loos real good. Upstairs – slow dripper. Some one is picking up a really big tab. I could probably buy a new van for just the “eating out” tabs.
Interesting. I feel I should be wearing white cotton conservator gloves while on the job. Walking careful – like a cat in a mine field.
“Bankers’ nieces seek perfection, expecting all the gifts that wise men bring.”
Bob Dylan
Always wondered about that line. Today I understand, having seen it in the flesh.
SITUATION: The plywood and trim panels on the Sub Zero have been sprayed with white lacquer on site. Mrs. GotBucks has a S/Z panel fettish and thinks that industrial spray booth finished are … acceptable. Deems this finish … rough.
Boss wonders – will miniwax fill in the roughness and give a finish that will find favor with Herself?
We are open to all ideas and workarounds.
The ToolBear
“Never met a man who couldn’t teach me something.” Anon.
Replies
Go on a spending spree and replace the panels with white melamine. Smooth, factory finish look, dirt cheap.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
Melamine...
Wonder if they have it in that thickness - about 5/16. Two thin plies on surfaces, one thick ply in center.
Still have to spray it as it absolutely must match the rest of the stuff - think the color is "bone" The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Smooth sand with 200+, dust off and recoat. This time in a clean spot keeping a wet leading edge.
I have to repair Electrical enclosures on occasion as a way to keep my OEM's happy. (I sell electrical gear for a living to industrial customers) Try dealing with a person who's entire job is to be the Quality control manager. The job should come with high heels.
Retouching is all about setup. The overspray is her gripe no doubt. Solvent based paint has to be started off of the surface and at a continuous angle brought all of the way across the surface and off again. (Think like using a fly rod...it isn't a wrist action it is an arm action) You keep the wet edge progressing in repetitive strokes until the full surface is painted.
DON'T Ever spot spray! it looks like merde and is a nightmare to clean up and respray. Best of luck. try complimenting her on her choice of (whatever) scarf, dog, hairstyle, design in the kitchen. Start them loving you. (figuratively)
Minwax WHAT?
They make sanding sealers, prestain condtioners, wood stains, oil and water based varnishes, spar varnish, lacquer, polyshades, putty sticks, wood putty, wood hardners, wood filler, wipe on "oil finsihes", wax, even paint brushes.
Minwax WHAT?
I think the boss was thinking of wax. Wonderiing if they had anything that could smooth out a slight roughness of finish on these Sub Zero door panels.
He is open to any suggestions.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
>>"I think the boss was thinking of wax."
Hmm . . . if I remember right, the panels were sprayed with lacquer. How about treating them like a car and buffing/polishing them out? Then a good coat of wax.
If they are already unacceptable, you can't hurt them by trying.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
Wax will just fill in light scratch patterns.Not "roughness" which I take to be either orange peel or dust or overspray.
If the paint is too dull or rough, I'd give a try with white auto polish, by hand.
If its really rough, sand lightly with 600 - 1000 grit first.
Edited 3/12/2006 12:02 pm ET by MarkH
You could replace the plywood panels with MDO ("signboard"). The phenolic resin impregnated paper faces will be smoother for paint than regular plywood. Highway signs are made from MDO quite often.