{ChicByTab}: varathane

Showing posts with label varathane. Show all posts

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Chalk Paint Grey Side Board

Hello. Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday. Mine is going to be great, I can tell. The weather has finally lifted here and I can smell spring in the air. It tickles my nose and lingers with freshness. I may just have to make a stop while I'm out, and grab a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Here's the handsome fellow I worked on last night. Below, is how he looked before.

Pretty average. I was drawn to the detail in the side doors. It did come as a full hutch, but the upper part had this ~~ugly~~ unique fabric as the back panel and trimmed around all the glass. Typically, I could have pulled it off the back panel and painted it. I can not work with it around the glass, not with out many tears. The store kept it to sell seperately.

I re-stained the top with Varathane Gel Stain in Dark Walnut. Check out this post, to see my previous project using the Gel Stain.

I wanted to show you, how it can tone down any discolorations in the wood. The top on this piece had yellowed a bit from sunlight. All fixed now.

I also used some Rub'n Buff Gold leaf on the handles. Take a look at this post to see the "how to". I think they turned out perfect.

I did light brush strokes on the side doors, too keep the depth and detail.

What a handsome piece.

Before and after.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Take care.

Our furry family member, Cali. She's even smiling for me.

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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Out with the oak, in the with the new

Ever have those days, when things just go right. Today was my day. I had a few hours to entertain myself in the city, this morn from 9 am to noon. Not ideal times for a Sunday? But the stores I wanted to hit, open early.

First stop...Home Depot. I'm working on a bench made from an old headboard, and needed the Kreg Jig.

This cool tool is going to help me {hubby}, attach the sides to my bench.

Anyways... I was also in need of a new Purdy Paintbrush. Following the isle.. I checked out the stains, but have yet to try any. Can you believe it? I have not re-stained raw wood. Until today. I bought a can of Varathane Gel Stain in Dark Walnut.

This is the shelf.

Nice yellow oak.

I can't tell you how easy the stain was to apply. When you open it, the gel is quite thick. Kind of like sour cream or yogurt. I bought a foam brush and dipped straight in the jar. Using an even brush stroke, I spread in one direction the length of the shelf. It really is easy to apply. I also taped off the edges, as I'm not a great line cutter.

This is first coat. {i did 2}

I let the gel do its thing for 5 minutes, before wiping {softly}. I used a dry painters rag to wipe off the excess stain. Then followed the same directions for a second coat.

This is the finished shelf.

I also did the small shelf under the bathroom window.

Feeling a bit more ambitious, I did the stair railing to our basement.

Before

After

I love this stuff!! You can't see the thickness of the clear coat on the railing. It made my husband a little weary of how well if would cover. I can't believe how well it did or how fab it looks. You can still see the wood grain. I would recommend Varathane Gel Stain to anyone who wants to change the look of anything. This stuff is excellent for beginners, like myself. Next is the other two flights of railing and any others items I decide to go Dark Walnut.

Take care.

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Hello Mint Dresser

On Friday, I was stopping at my usual Junque stops and came across this beauty. I immediately called my husband and told him to "start the car!', or in our case the truck.

I should state:

THIS IS MY FIRST DRESSER PROJECT!

That's right, very first one.

It all started last week, when I discovered the Turquiose Iris blog. If you have been checking out furniture blogs, I'm sure you have seen her work. I am totally in love with her colors and style. Back to the point... She inspired me to move past my usual end tables, and test the water. Little did I know this water would be deep. I started by sanding all flat surfaces, and wiping it down with TSP. I've heard quite a few DIY'ers mention this stuff. If you have not tried it yet, I would. It worked great. The only down side I found, was it made some of the finish soft at the edges. If anyone knows how to prevent or why, please let me know. In case your rushing out to buy some...I found mine at Home Depot.

Next step, mix paint.

Paint Recipe:

1 cup paint

2 Tbsp Plaster of Paris

I am way too cheap to buy brand name chalk paint, and our local shop has limited hours. Don't get me wrong, I have tried Annie Sloan and LOVED it. I just can't take the price. I found this recipe somewhere online, and it works great. I find the key to smooth paint, is let it sit after the initial mix for 15 minutes. After that I would give it one more mix. I use a hand held mixer thing-a-ma-jig. Works amazing!

I put on a few coats, and lightly sanded with 220 Grit paper. Then wiped down the dresser one more time to remove the dust. I used Varathane Water Based Clear Coat to seal everything.