Restore with Paint

I am a paint enthusiast! I believe anything that is worn, outdated, or a bit beat-up just needs a few coats of nice paint. Most of my projects are on the small scale. Old milk cans, lawn statues, mailboxes, interior Knickknaks etc... On a larger scale i have painted porches, doors, table and chairs, shelves, and even a counter top!! It's a great accomplishment to see something go from sad to happy! I don't say "from ugly to beautiful" because beauty is in the eye of the beholder~ right?! There is truly something beautiful in everything, I just know it.

Getting cheap furniture or miscallananeous items at yard sales and flea markets is a great way to find new restoring projects. They make great gifts too. Once people know you like to paint, watch out! they will have all kinds of projects for you and you may even make a small business out of it.

It's great fun but there is a tiny bit of work that is involved; stripping the old paint, sanding bumps and lumps, making sure to get the right kind of paint and then painting several coats or maybe just a couple. That's about the gist of it. Not too difficult but definitely time consuming if you are even the slightest particular or detail oriented. Of course, it depends the project and size.

There are some items you should have before starting a project. First, figure out a project work space. Make sure to consider ventilation for your safety. Once i have chose my work space, i unfold a plastic table cloth out in that area. This catches all the mess that is made in the restoring process. Anything like an old sheet or a piece of ply-wood will do the job.

I like to have a variety of interior/exterior paints. This reassures me that the paint product will look good and last wherever i decide to put it. Having the basic primary colors lets me mix and make different shades in smaller amounts. I tend to get paint in quart size for small projects and gallons for large ones. Even when i don't use it all i stock pile it for future projects. Beware~paint does expire and must be used in a reasonable amount of time (usually 2-3 yrs if properly sealed/closed & in cool-room temp. storage area). If it's bad you'll know it. It may have mold on the top, totally dried up or just too lumpy to use.

Paint brushes in different sizes are a real time saver. I find that even when i am painting something large, there seems to always be a small nook or cranny that only a small paint brush will get into. Being prepared with the basics makes the process go faster and more enjoyable. I get small and larger paint brushes in variety packs. Many different size brushes are always good to have on hand if you like to do a lot of painting (like me!).

Sandpaper will be needed to get rid of minor bumps and scratches and also to remove the old flaking paint or rust. It is also used to rough up the surface as a means for the new paint to stick. This step is very important to insure the new paint will adhere and last a long time. I use my black and decker mouse sander for most of my projects. It has different attachments that can get into some hard places and really makes the job go much smoother. You may even want to use paint stripper for larger projects, unless you really love your sander (like me!). Having a paint scraper or a putty knife doesn't hurt to have either. The more tools you have available, the easier it will be when running into an obstacle.

When sanding a large project or even a small one with a lot of old layers coming off, I use a dust mask. I don't like the thought of rust particles, paint dust, or any toxic and damaging substance in my lungs. Dusk masks are inexpensive and a great preventative!! If you are worried about something flying into your eye, make sure to get some safety glasses too. Gloves maybe worn if you prefer to cover your hands while using paints or paint removers.

With experience you will discover what types of products work best for you and your projects. There are plenty of books on the subject. Books are a great way to find out what kind of things you can do with paint and what other projects you may be interested in. Plus, it never hurts to be mentally prepared for what you're about to get into!! I also like to get an idea of the process by watching short how-to videos on subjects that i'm not familiar with.

I hope you continue to browse the subject and maybe even be inspired to paint that old wheelbarrow! Don't be afraid to experiment and use other peoples ideas to create something totally unique. If you want a hobby that makes you feel like you've accomplished something, painting is for you!

Thanks for stopping by & Happy Painting :)