Just had my first encounter with oil paint. Lady wanted an interior window stool repainted, about 48″ x 12″, and she specified Sherwin Williams oil paint. Actually used alkyd. It didn’t go as smoothly as I would have liked. Used a Purdy 2″ sash brush. Had trouble getting the overlaps to smooth out. I was putting on the paint a little thicker than I would have liked, but that’s because I discovered quickly that a thin coat wouldn’t flow…it left a rough surface. I discovered that after I got paint in an area, I could go back and push hard enough to bend the bristles, leaving a trail of bristle tracks, and they would slowly flow together. But I still had a little problem with end-of-stroke divots. Suggesstions?
Do it right, or do it twice.
Replies
Penetrol. Oil paint additive to make it flow better, reduce brush marks, etc.
http://www.floodco.com/Products/penetrol.cfm
They also make Floetrol, does about the same thing for latex.
If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
I have used flotrol, didn't think about it. Anything else? The sill wasn't too hot, since it was inside the a/c house, and facing east. Wrong brush maybe? It is the one I always usae for latex...should I have used a different bristle?Do it right, or do it twice.
Penetrol and a natural bristle brush (chinese bristle or ox hair) instead of nylon. Don't play with it to much, cut your edges, fill in and then do a final stroke out. nice and even strokes.
For my own preference I would use at least a 3" brush and I prefer a flat instead of a sash
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I spotted the clue - alkyd. Do I win the dog biscuit? I think you used ProClassic. That's the alkyd enamel (latex) SW is using these days to replacate the look of oil without the hassle of thinner. IF that's the case, then you absolutely have to cut the stuff down with floetrol. It sets so fast and is so thick out of the can you almost can't brush it without problems, but cut down good, it flows and levels just grand. And it does look a heck of a lot better than your average latex. Really high gloss. Anyway - if that's what you used and you have any more to do, get a two quart mixing bucket, fill it half to two thirds with paint and add about a cup of floetrol. Life much nicer. If you have any small expanses to do, i.e. shelving, those little foam cigar rollers do real well with the stuff.
" Blessed are the forgetful: for they get the better even of their blunders" - Nietzsche
alkyd is an oil base. ProClassic comes in alkyd or waterbourne, which is the one you are probably thinking of.
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Barry E
Aw heck. Can I still be mad at you for being right? There goes the durn biscuit. Just looked in the guide . . . duhhhhhh" Blessed are the forgetful: for they get the better even of their blunders" - Nietzsche
Honestly!
Thin the paint, and use a 3" brush. Try a Purdy 3" Extra Ohio.
You thin the paint so it will flow, if there are conditions you use different thinners. If I hear Floetrol one more time I am going to snap.
Floetrol?
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Barry E
That's another reason I celebrate the guy who invented latex...no mineral spirits needed for cleanup.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Funnily enough I hate waterbourne finishes for the same reasons you dilike alkyd the hassle of keeping a wet edge , the texture, chalkiness lack of lustre and durability. I only use oil paints both inside and out.However, you mention latex, most quality waterbourne paints are acrylic based as natural latex is not as durable.My paint supplier maintains that the better quality paints contain more acrylic which is the reason for higher cost and that latex is only found in cheap primers, drywall sealers.
Good points. Maybe I used a wrong term or three. Latex, acrylic, whatever...I like the water cleanup. And maybe if I used the right techniques, I wouldn't dislike oil.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Acrylic is still a latex. Acrylic refers to the binder used. Your supplier was probably referring to vinyl-acrylics (PVA's) or vinyls
As far as durability, especially on exteriors, don't you have it backwards? The present day oil paint is more apt to chalk, does not have good color retention and more apt to mildew. Go with the 100% acrylics, or look into the next generation forulass. duration, ceramics... The age of oil is drawing to a close.
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Barry E
May as well, everyone else is.
Sorry about the biscuit
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Barry E