The Bad S's

Ooohh, the project at hand... ready READY to be done with this one! We moved into our home two years ago on 10.31 and a three piece set greeted us - purchased for a minimal amount from the previous owner. It was nice to have for storage. But, due to the atrocious "antiquing" job done on it which my hubby hated,  I knew it was a matter of time before he kicked it to the curb or Craig's List. So, I relegated it to the finished basement area where it comfortably existed with the poor lighting and pink sectional (another inherited project) as craft storage and work area - that is until our basement flooded this summer.

Then it almost was a gonner as we now had to move it. Yet, having located a maker's mark identifying it as being from Basset Furniture Industries, identifying mahogany, oak and English dovetail jointing, and other marks confirming it was a matching set, I once again saved the vagabond peices with promises to my husband to give it the three S's: strip, sand and stain. He, of course, as a professional painter, refused to give the thumbs up for simpler new paint job, claiming that brush stroke streaks would be an issue. I figured anything was better than its current state.

I have sanded. I have stripped. The furniture, that is. And, I even tried some stain on a small area. Nope. Not happening. Can't get the icky stuff off that the crazy person put on it. And there are three pieces: a hutch, buffet and table. I want to use the furniture - now! He then insisted on having it professionally done ... what a blow to my pride! Off a drawer of it went. And the drawer came back with a $2,600 estimate with it. And, now I am free to paint it! Thankfully the stripper (furniture) guy offered some tips, and I also found more advice from Just-A-Girl.

Here's the plan...

I want the paint to stick to the glossy icky bluey color, so I must sand or prime. After sanding the table legs and painting them, the paint still doesn't want to stay on very well. So, I am opting for no more sanding, but a good primer instead. Also, I must use what I have around for paint. How about the leftovers from my accent wall color in the kitchen and front living. That will pull the color on through to the living space where these will be used.

1) Prime - do not sand. Hubby had primer that was already tinted blue/green left over from another job. Really not good, as it blended too well with what I wanted to cover up.

2) Paint first coat in satin interior wall paint (what I have on hand)- MAB/Sherwin Williams Tiki Hut for accent brown and Tricorn Black or the main parts. Oil was recommended but I am told that it is no longer readily available due to environmental issues. Fine - water based is easier to clean up anyway.  Lucky me, not enough of the Green Black left from our shutters - I got to chose a new black and have my very own gallon of it! I painted with two brushes, a 4" and a 1/2". Probably should roll what first black coat I could, but if brush is in hand then I don't bother switching to a roller. Pure laziness.

3) Paint second coat - in same stuff, but roll with foam roller everywhere possible.

4) Apply clear finish - water based polyurethane in a semi-gloss for a touch of shine.

5) Apply another clear finish coat (if I can force myself). No pics for this ... yet.

The buffet will likely be complete first, and then the table and then the hutch. Can't wait - I want my garage back! :-) The after photos will be coming!

UPDATED 2/2010 - The plan did not work as well as hoped! Whatever you do, use Benjamin Moore IronClad Latex Low Lustre Metal & Wood Enamel. Nothing else comes close for furniture painting (that is beyond the spray paint realm of projects).  All painting is being redone after having great succes with this paint on the hutch, and with the disappoint I have had with the buffet and table painted as I had planned above.