Friday, July 20, 2012

painting trick: the lunch sack

I put the last coat of paint on this vanity on a sweltering 115 degree afternoon.  My garage wasn't that hot, but it got close.
The intense heat speeds up the dry time of the paint and can prevent it from self-leveling correctly.  This can leave a rough feeling to the paint.  The surface looks great, but feels a little gritty as you run your hand over the surface.
This local guy taught me the greatest trick.  
Enter…the lunch sack.



Even the finest grit sandpaper will leave small scratch marks in a finished surface, but a paper bag will not.  (I've also heard of turning your sandpaper disks over and smoothing out the surface with the soft back side).


Grab your paper sack and run it over any surface that feels a little rough.


You'll be amazed at the difference it makes in the feel of the surface.


16 comments:

  1. That is such a great tip! Thank you so much!

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  2. uaaaauuuuuuuu!! Hello Natty, the final result was spectacular, I love that blue! ... This bag is another technique that when it seems things go wrong, will always be a solution, and this time was the bag! This dresser is really fantastic, I even love the color!
    Kisses and when able to visit my blog :D

    http://zepedrorodrigues.blogspot.pt/

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  3. LOVE THIS!!! Such a great little trick

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  4. Brilliant! I will have to try this! And that is a great color

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  5. I've heard of this, but never tried it. Can't wait to see the difference! Thanks for the tip. :)

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  6. WHAT?!?!?!?! Woot! Thanks for sharing! How have you been?

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  7. This is exactly what I needed to know. I am working on a desk that feels a little rough, and I didn't want to scratch the surface. Betcha I'ma be tryin' this! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. you can also find some related furniture on my site also www.mobilyala.com

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  9. AnonymousJuly 22, 2012

    Oh wow, what a neat little trick!

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  10. AnonymousJuly 22, 2012

    Do you have to wait a certain amount of time before you try this, or once it's dry have at it?

    I love your work and your color selection!

    Michelle

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    Replies
    1. Good question. It would probably depend on the individual paint and its dry time. The paint I use specifies 12-16 hours to re-coat, but if the weather is warm and I felt like the paint is ready, I do it after 5 or 6. With latex, you'd probably be able to after 40 minutes to an hour. You'd also have to take into consideration the thickness of the coat applied. I spray very thin coats. A brush would apply it much thicker and would require more time to set.
      Hope this helps!

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  11. Thanks for the great trick ! I came across the same problem and didn't know what to use. Texas summers aren't the best for painting. :)

    Stella

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  12. Natty, Can you share the name of the paint color and who makes it? It's fantastic!!

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  13. I do this too! A crafting friend showed me years ago when we were painting acrylic onto raw wood. I use paper grocery sacks, and I tear them into pieces and use only the inside (they all seem to have print on the outside these days). Or I sacrifice some of my roll of brown kraft paper. It makes your paint finish as smooth as silk! Also works well on polyurethane -- rub with brown paper between each coat. Love that color on your vanity, by the way! -- Min

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  14. Hmmmm......must give it a try. (Hope you don't mind if I Pin it.)

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  15. I put the last coat of paint on this vanity on a sweltering 115 degree afternoon. My garage wasn't that hot, but it got close.
    The intense heat speeds up the dry time of the paint and can prevent it from self-leveling correctly.
    Edmonton Painters
    Painters Edmonton

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