So the story starts with me desperately trying to figure out how to get away from work 20 minutes early on Friday because the shop in Monument closes at 4:00. (I know...!!) I barely make it and then of course, I'm in love with all the colors of Milk Paint. I then agonize between three whitish colors (it is not easy for me to choose paint colors) and end up purchasing linen - which is an off white color. I kept eyeing those blues, but left the store with the linen and typewriter (black). How boring is that! I want the blues!
 |
| Here are the chairs in their 'original ' form. I bought the pair off Craig's List. I was so excited by the carving and detail in the wood - would paint and antique so well! |
Saturday morning I'm up and at it, taking them apart starting at 8:00 a.m. Six and half hours later I had the fabric off and all the staples pulled. I also had a mega blister I had rubbed raw on the inside of my palm. Not daunted, but exasperated at how long this stage was taking, I got to mixing some milk paint. Oh yes - stopped to watch two tutorials on Youtube for the second time- 'painting with Milk Paint #1 & #2'' so was prepared for the weird consistency of the milk paint - sort of.
As I started to paint chair #1 I wasn't sure I had the consistency right as it felt and looked more like a wash, so I added more...
Before I could start the second coat, I could see the paint getting 'chippy' which is the magic of the milk paint. I feel a surge of pure thrill and excitement! So, I gave it a second coat. Now, flakes were coming off the chair as I tried to paint a second coat. After that I took the scraper to the chair (as per directions on youtube) and all the paint was coming off. Good grief. I remembered that Miss Mustard Seed said each piece is unique and there's no knowing what they'll do. This piece was turning into the example she used for when you need to add the bonding agent to the paint. I DIDN"T BUY THE BONDING AGENT!
 |
| One scrape and the paint just came off... |
*This is a good time to interject that milk paint flakes off in weightless little pieces that you absolutely must get your vacuum out to attack. What a mess. (I really should have taken a picture of this.)
I decided to call it a day by that evening and went to bed frustrated.
I got up the next morning with a new plan. At this point, I would have driven back to Monument for the bonding agent, and for my trouble I would have had to purchase at least one blue color. But alas, the store is not open on Sunday or Monday. (No, they are not a bank.)
So, I set about sanding chair #1 with the roughest sandpaper I had. I gave it a coat of paint and it seemed to be working. Great! So I set to sanding chair #2. (Another mess to vacuum up). I then gave chair #2 it's first coat of Milk Paint. Again, paint didn't seem quite right so the first coat was very light.
By this time, I see I've used about half the bag of milk paint. Hmmm. Miss Mustard Seed says it takes so little. Hmmm? She's painting a dresser in the tutorial and I have chairs??? Perhaps you need more at this higher altitude? Yeah...that's what I'll tell myself - problem solved.
So, now I give chair #1 and Chair #2 a second coat. I do see some areas doing the chippy thing, and that's okay because I do want some of that, and the back of the chair, where it had all flaked off is sticking. SIgh of relief.
I wait until they are good and dry and then take the scraper to get rid of flakes where it is chipping. (Frown of concern)...more coming off than I wanted. Definitely did need the bonding agent, but maybe it will still work. I just won't press very hard at all with the scraper....
Not too bad - more chipping than I would have desired, but like Miss Mustard Seed said, each piece has it's own story.
I ran for my very cute bag from the store in Monument (suppose you pay for all that cute packaging?) and got out my clear wax. Oh goodie...get to try this! Set about waxing and then noticed as I did this I have flakes on my brush and in the can. Hmm. This can't be good - more paint coming off. I'll just ignore it for now because I am so excited to do this waxing part.
(Lots more vacuuming at this point to clean up the work area - I'll ignore this too.)
Now, I open the tiny can of antiquing wax. I am just so excited to get to those grooves and detailing! (A flicker of a thought goes through my mind - should I really be waxing if I'm going to need to repaint? Ignore that thought - this waxing is fun!) Full speed ahead into antique waxing....(yes, more chips are coming off)...I step back to admire my chairs - they certainly do look old! They look like they need a good painting!
I tell myself this is so because it is hard to tell without the fabric on them as some areas of the chair I didn't sand much because the upholstery will cover those areas, so it's bare or very chippy...other areas will show and have a 'really chippy look'.
Sigh. I probably need to repaint with the bonding agent. Where have I heard this before???
Can you paint over the wax? I have wasted all this new (and expensive) product to just paint over it? Why couldn't I just let it wait until I could get the bonding agent? Why was I so impatient?????? ( I think I hear my husband chuckling.) Two days later, no chairs - no other things done. Not left with those feelings of excitement and satisfaction - just frustrated. I had so looked forward to this weekend to complete this project.
I won't be home for two weeks, so will retackle the chairs in a few weeks. Part Two will be undertaking re-upholstering them. Certainly, that will be easier???
I won't be home for two weeks, so will retackle the chairs in a few weeks. Part Two will be undertaking re-upholstering them. Certainly, that will be easier???
 |
| See...isn't this just the prettiest packaging? Miss Mustard Seed - Her milk paint and love following her blog! http://missmustardseed.com/ You might also love her new book |
Ah - you're wondering about that 'typewriter' (black) milk paint? I got that because I wanted to paint over the latex on the desk in the parlor area.
I'm afraid.
I like the barn red that it is now, but not the finish. Not sure I want it all black - but would like the black with the red color underneath chipping through. Should I do all of it or just some of it? I can't decide. I'm worried I'll hate whatever I do and wish I had left it alone. However, I'm itching to paint (love to do it) and really need some success....hmmm. Should I do it or leave it alone??? What would you do?
I'm afraid.
I like the barn red that it is now, but not the finish. Not sure I want it all black - but would like the black with the red color underneath chipping through. Should I do all of it or just some of it? I can't decide. I'm worried I'll hate whatever I do and wish I had left it alone. However, I'm itching to paint (love to do it) and really need some success....hmmm. Should I do it or leave it alone??? What would you do?
 |
| The desk |
