Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Weekend Project


My parents were in town for a few days and my Mom is always up for a project.  I mentioned that I wanted to repaint the cabinet that sits in our kitchen and she enthusiastically volunteered to help.  It was a light green and was in dire need of repainting due chips in the surface and permanent marker stains.


We got to work around noon on Saturday and did everything you are supposed to do when painting wooden furniture.  We sanded to scuff up the surface.  We wiped it down.  We primed it with an oil based primer.  Then we painted it the desired color.


This is where something went terribly askew.  Earlier I had gone to the barn and pulled a can of paint that matches the lower built in cabinets in our kitchen.  Those were painted a few years ago . . .  2008 maybe.  Since the paint was a perfect match and exactly what I wanted, I found a paint stick, popped the can open and began to stir.  And stir.  And stir.  Funny thing about leaving a can of paint in the barn for several years is that it completely separates, gets thick and maybe even a little clumpy.  So I stirred and stirred until both Mom and I agreed, "Ah! What the heck! It'll do!"



After one coat, the paint began to bubble up.  But not before painting the . . .Whole.  Entire.  Thing.

Grrr.

We brought it back inside.  Let it dry overnight.  Woke up Sunday.  Started sanding.  Razor rescued us with his power sander.  I went to Lowe's.  Bought a new quart of paint.  This time enamel but the same color (India Ink for those wondering.) 


And two coats of the new paint worked like a charm.



Lesson learned and duly noted.

-dana

26 comments:

**nicke... said...

oh man! that is a bummer but holy crap it looks amazing now! i have been painting and sanding too... i got a new spool holder.

Sheila said...

Looks awesome!!!! I LOVE the color!!!
Never use paint that has been through extreme temperature changes....ask me how I know.... ;)
It almost looks like you have some of MY dishes on the bottom shelf. :)
http://thesecondtwinsews.blogspot.com/2012/02/please-dont-judge-me.html

Anne said...

Love it. Isn't it amazing how a little bit of paint can change the look? Almost like getting a new piece of furniture!

Kim said...

Wow it looks great, is your Mom the inspiration behind your "CAN DO" spirit? Nothing seems to slow you down....redo the house, make a quilt, grow a garden, make soap, start a business, do sew alongs........and I know I am just mentioning a few of the things you do :0). that gray star quilt would look heavenly hanging in the same room with the newly painted hutch!

Happy Sewing

jabeybaby said...

Bummer about the old paint. I've got several cans in my garage that are probably six years old! Guess I should trash them huh. :-) Well your cabinet looks amazing now! I love that color!

maggiegracecreates said...

been there - done that - got the t-shirts on that paint lesson. That cabinet is wonderful. I have a natural wood finished china cabinet that I really want to paint and I am terrified I will hate it after I do.

Sara said...

It looks absolutely gorgeous Dana!!love all the strawberry things!!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

It looks great and it's always a lesson learned when something goes wrong and you know how to make it right. Love the color.

Emily said...

Stinkin' AWESOME color!!!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

OH SO WORTH IT!!! It looks incredible and that colour is just gorgeous! Helped by your pretty crockery and nic nacs obviously!! Wanna swap houses ;)

Kimberly said...

So beautiful! And if you ever feel the need to part with your strawberry cookie jar, well I'm only an email away!

Tipper said...

It was worth the aggravation-cause it looks super!

Deb Robertson Writes said...

It's called sissing, probably your top coat reacted to the enamel undercoat! It happens to professionals too!! (we run a painting co for our day job). It's come up amazing though, fantastic colour!!

Susan said...

All your hard work was well worth it, it's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Well it was certainly worth the effort.. it looks stunning... I just love it..great job. And God Bless your mom for being a great helper, I get a "project" look in my eyes and my mom runs the other direction...

Carri
simplydonewright.blogspot.com

Trudi said...

Now doesn't it look brilliant! Great colour too! worth all that preparation :)

Artfulife said...

Oh my gosh, I love it!

Jacque. said...

Not a great beginning, but ohman, it sure is gorgeous now! Good job, Dana!

DebbyMc said...

This is generally how DIY projects progress for me, too...=-/ But, man, I LOVE both the cabinet and the new color. Did I say love?! Yes!

Val said...

Love this! I have a hutch that I want to do an antique white but have no idea where to start. Any suggestions?

Lene said...

This looks so great. That color is amazing.

Mama Said Sew said...

Love that color!

kit homes said...

Repaint furniture and cabinate.It make kitchen bright and clean.We can put everything in right way.Such a great painting on the cabinet.It look so beautiful.

Sheila said...

I already commented how much I love this hutch...now I am asking for HELP! I just got an ipad2 and I am not able to upload photos onto my blog.....do you blog from an iPad?

QuiltNut Creations said...

love!!

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

sorry for the trials you had to go through to get there but wow, it looks super great now!