Software
Houzz Logo Print
bunnyemerald

OT - For those who use spray paint in a can

14 years ago

I've had two counter-height stools for ages. They're not my ideal, but they fit the bill for now, except for their color.

Before:

I decided I had nothing to lose by spray painting them. Famous last words. I'd never spray painted before, and I set my expectations not too high. I decided on a dark gray, similar to my counters, would be good.

I lightly sanded first, wiped them down and first used Rust-Oleum primer. So far so good. Then a couple of light coats of Rust-Oleum Dark Gray. Other than missing a few places on the underside and some minor drips, I thought it looked pretty good. No photos.

Next day, when I brought them inside, I realized that the gray was too light (more battleship than charcoal) and had definite blue undertones. Not good.

I bought some Rust-Oleum Charcoal Gray (different formula) and sprayed a stool leg. It was virtually the same color, so that wasn't going to work. So I went back to HD and bought Rust-Oleum Black, which was closer to my counters and matched the metal on my pendants.

Here's the stuff I used (L to R: primer, dark gray, black):

Using the same technique (or so I thought) as I had with the primer and dark gray, I sprayed on the black. It immediately bubbled up and looked dreadful.

Example of bubbling:

Basically now they look like crap and obviously can't come back into my kitchen. They were old and it's probably time for new stools anyway. What does bother me though is how a spray painting job went so horribly wrong. It was about 24 hours between good finish (gray) and bad (black). Was the paint I used for the black incompatible with the first coat of gray? The Ultra Cover formulation comes in limited colors.

I loved how easy it was to apply, but if these are the results, I doubt I'd try this again. And the fumes! I was working in my open garage, but it was pretty bad.

Comments (33)

  • 14 years ago

    I'm no expert, but the black paint is not the same type...the other two say they also bond to plastic, so I'm guessing they probably adhere to the surface, a bit easier. You also had a lot of coats of paint...maybe you should have sanded again, before the black?

    Spray paint on wood, can be tricky. We've had good luck spray painting my mom's wicker...but I prefer a brush on wood surfaces, or maybe those little foam pads. I'd also sand, between colors, just to get off some of that old paint. Half dry paint can start to pull loose, which may be what happened, when you applied the black.

    Again, I'm no expert, just my best guess.

  • 14 years ago

    LL, you're right about the two paints being different, although the one on the right does say "wood, metal, plastic" on the back. Had I known that multiple layers would be a problem, I'd probably have gone the traditional route with a brush. At least the colors are better. To me, having to sand down the first coat negates the ease of spraying.

    Speaking of regular paint, what kind would you use for this type of job? I painted a buffet and hutch dark red with a brush using latex paint. It took umpteen coats and still looks funky right up close. But step back a foot and it looks great. Everyone raves. I just tell them, don't get too close. :)

  • 14 years ago

    you could probably sand hard on the crackles[or do stripper], and allover to scuff it up, do a de-glossing and put some tinted satin polyurethane topcoating [dark]which would lay in all the corners,even it all out a bit and be okay-rustic. or sand,degloss,stencil a design here and there,topcoat. Never give up on solid wood,no matter what experiences have befallen it.

  • 14 years ago

    You don't need to scrap them! If you want to work on this project just to figure it out or you're trying to save money over buying new, just sand the one you painted back down to wood and try again. Granted, it will take some time and effort, but it might be worth it.

    I agree with LL, the surface needed to be sanded in between the gray and the black applications for better adhesion.

  • 14 years ago

    I'm quite close to chucking these stools, despite being solid wood. I was thinking of something with a back and some fabric since I need some soft texture. I just didn't want to buy something right this minute. I may just strip them completely and reassess the situation. I'm not really after a rustic look. Come to think of it, glossy black isn't what I was after either.

    Man, that spray paint is some nasty stuff. I'm surprised more taggers aren't found asphyxiated.

  • 14 years ago

    If you want to try again with the stools, check out the metallic finish paints for a different look. I'm dying to try Krylon Fusion metallic paint for the plastic portion at the top of my dishwasher. I like the DW so much better since I painted the door panel with stainless colored appliance epoxy, but the top is still white. It can also be used on wood. Just a thought since the other colors weren't to your liking.

    OR, it looks like you have plenty of white in your kitchen You could just go with that for the stools too.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Krylon Fusion Metallic

  • 14 years ago

    Taggers generally work in the open. Your garage, even with the door open, traps the fumes.

    You are working with different formulas and I think the solvents and/or propellants in what you can use on plastic are different from the original formula. You can use either on the wood, but apparently can't mix them. All you need to do is sand the black crackles and repaint. It might be good measure to reprime with something that can go over anything -- like Kilz or 1-2-3, then use one type of paint only, unless you re-prep the surface.

    I have a bookcase that was similar to your stools before painting, and I found a spray paint similar to the blue already in my kitchen and just lightly sanded to take down the varnish and painted -- no primer, 2 coats, and it's been great.

    Stay with one type of paint and do what you can to test your ideas before painting multiple coats. Maybe the satin black? Flat black is too chalkboard like -- unless you want stools you can draw on. LOL)

    I wouldn't give up. I am a fan of basic stools. It seems I like them or the REALLY expensive ones, and I don't have a fancy bar or counter for them anyway. Mine are used for extra seats at our pub table a few times a year and for giving the guys haircuts.

  • 14 years ago

    I like the Rustoleum a lot (currently re-doing some dining room chairs). The crackle may be a result of some moisture where the other paint hadn't dried completely. I am not sure. I used this one of my chairs and the ones that are done, turned out great.

    The enamel paint smells pretty bad, as does the ones that have the primer. Definitely paint in a well ventilated area, and then keep them in the garage or something for several days before bringing them in the house.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Rustoleum

  • 14 years ago

    Dried isn't cured. When spraying multiple coats, they need to go one either within 30 minutes of each other or after 48-72 hours of each other, depending on the formulation. You sprayed the black coat too soon and that's why it bubbled.

  • 14 years ago

    SugarCookies - tell me about painting the door panel of your DW with stainless colored appliance epoxy. I have a white DW that is uncharmingly white, but it's such a dandy little DW, lots of room, that I hate to get rid of it right now.

    Lascatz - I'm sure mixing the blends of paint contributed to the crackling. I mean, it happened the instant it hit the old surface. And I agree that these little stools are cute and maybe are salvageable. I have one of them in the kitchen right now and it looks good. But it's still stinky and maybe I don't need any more black.

    Senator13 - Glad to hear you like Rustoleum. Maybe I just need to rethink my tehnique. ;-)

    LWO - I suspected a dry/cure time snafu. The print on the can is so small I basically didn't have a clue. The successful primer/gray paint happened within the 30-minute window *and* it was the same formulation. The second coat went on just shy of 24 hours *and* it was a totally different mix.

    I think I'll strip what's on them. I don't know what color I want. I have enough white! Black doesn't really add anything. Metallic? Could be cute, could be hideous.

  • 14 years ago

    Put some COLOR on them! Lime green. Burgundy red. Turquoise. Hot pink. Sunny yellow. Or all of them at once. Paint them by hand with some craft paints and be creative!

  • 14 years ago

    Hollysprings, you are quite correct. They need color. Anything but pink will be considered.

  • 14 years ago

    Senator, is the link you included the type of Rustoleum you used on your dining room chairs? I'm glad it's turning out well for you. Did you first sand, then prime? How many coats of paint, or just enough to cover? Did you cover with a clear top coat?

    I'm wondering if satin would be a better finish than glossy. Glossy is great when it's perfect, but when it isn't, ugh.

  • 14 years ago

    You also made a HUGE error. If you can smell the paint then you weren't wearing any correct/safe protective materials. You MUST wear a good mask that has all the filters in place. If you can smell anything AT ALL you are in trouble. You should also have had on goggles and a long sleeve shirt and pants.

    I have spray painted the wrong way in the past and finally realized what an idiot I was being. I went to Lowes and purchased the very very best filter mask set up and goggles. Wonders of wonders there is no odor at all. I change the filters as required and boy what a difference.

    Please do not use any paint of any kind w/o protective devices. If you can smell it you are doing it wrong. c

  • 14 years ago

    I so agree with Hollysprings, go for the color! I had a stool like yours I didn't know what color to paint it, so I painted it several colors, a very light beige as the base on the legs and then splatter-painted them, then did the rails (or whatever they're called) each a different color. I've changed the sitting surface to a light ocher (looks better with the other colors even though I liked the way the aqua/purple came out the first round).

    You need some color in your kitchen, right Linelle? This may be too much, but some is better than none. lol I use it as a small table for a lamp, fits perfect next to my sewing/craft table.

  • 14 years ago

    That is the exact paint I am using. I prefer the satin finish.
    I used Liquid Sander to de-gloss them. If they are solid wood you don't always need to sand, just get the gloss off if aren't using a primer. I did one even coat, holding the can 6-8" away and moving slowly. I went back and did touch up after. They are Windsor chairs, so it has required a lot of double checking.

  • 14 years ago

    We ALWAYS spray paint, outside! If it's too cold or rainy to spray paint outdoors, then wait until the weather improves. Once they're dry enough to move, then you can put them in a garage, but I wouldn't actually paint, in the garage.

    Oh, and if you decide to paint furniture with a brush, it's difficult to avoid brush marks, especially on smaller surfaces. Those little foam pads work really well...my mom (the paint expert!) uses them on furniture legs/details (like your stool) and smaller trim pieces :)

  • 14 years ago

    LL....you still need to wear all the protective devices...the spray mist goes onto your skin , in your eyes and lungs...whether you are aware of it or not. Please don't spray paint w/o the right protection. It truly will save your life and at the very least the quality of the life...breathing easily :) c

  • 14 years ago

    Trailrunner and LL, I'm a total idiot for not wearing goggles and a mask. I had no idea this stuff was so nasty. I had planned on spraying outside, but it was too windy and I was impatient.

    Ghostlyvision, love your stool! I think I might do the legs a different color than the seat. What kind of paint did you use?

    I love the immediacy of spray paint, but I think it's too unpredictable for me. I don't mind a brush mark or two. Looks like I have some sanding to do.

  • 14 years ago

    I am in need of painting ours which from are pottery barn. I should have never painted them in the first place. I used regular BM satin paint after sanding and primer. And, I put a top coat of clear on them. They chip badly. They look absolutely awful.

    So, I'm thinking about repainting them with chalk paint and waxing them. It is supposed to adhere to anything since it has calcium carbonate in them. I was going to lightly distress then afterwards, since they will get distressed quickly with my two kids (and DH). Annie Sloan's paint is expensive, but you'll see results pretty quickly from what I saw online. I don't like (read, hate) chalky surfaces. So, I'm going to wax the bejezus out of them. I have briwax here, which I believe will be fine for waxing. They have really beautiful colors.

    On a side note, I came across a blog who's grandpa was the set designer for huge movies (won oscars, did titanic, etc). And, he always added plaster of paris into all of his paints to get an antiqued look. Then waxed them.

    Unless you're going for all modern in your space, lightly distressed stools would probably look really pretty.

    Here is a link to canadian house and home. I can't find the picture, but if you watch the video, you can see a picture of the stool she has like yours. She painted it blue underneath (I think it's FB blue ground) and shiny black on top. That gives a little color and looks nice.

    http://houseandhome.com/tv/segment/modern-country-kitchen

    Here is a link that might be useful: chalk paint

  • 14 years ago

    linelle - buy these stools! Go to overstock.com and the name is tabouret 24 in, 2 for $74.99. I really like these!

  • 14 years ago

    Oh - a note: Watch that Krylon stuff.

    You must do proper preparation or the stuff peels. Just plain peels.

    I love some of their colors, but if you have the tiniest speck of missed unsanded area, or missed primer? PEEL!

  • 14 years ago

    Kimiko, I like what she did with that dresser. I just don't think the finish works in my kitchen. Sorry to hear that your painted stools are chipping.

    Lake_Girl, those are nice stools and something for me to keep in mind if I'm not able to redo to my satisfaction my badly sprayed stools. I'm now thinking of going with a pop of color, but I don't think it'll be primary red. We shall see. I like the price for two of these a lot.

  • 14 years ago

    I've learned the hard way, the very very hard way over the years, that you must always sand before painting. Always.

    Unfortunately, spray paint doesn't eliminate the need for sanding. It's just meant to eliminate the need for brushing. :-/

    Go wild and enjoy some color next time!

    Another option at this point, actually, might be milk paint. It's nontoxic, no smell, no fumes, and has the coolest matte texture that can be burnished. Sticks to painted surfaces with the optional bonder. Find it at a local art store and check it out:

    Here is a link that might be useful: milk paint

  • 14 years ago

    linelle - Painting the DW was pretty painless. DH removed the door panel, which also has the sides on it on my KA model, and I took it out back and scrubbed it with soapy water, rinsed well and let dry. Then, I lightly scuffed with fine grit sandpaper like 180 or 220 and wiped down with a dry, lint free cloth. Sprayed first coat and let dry, then sprayed second coat and let dry. DH put the panel back on and you can see the result below. As I said though, I want to try and see if I can paint the plastic part at the top with that Krylon paint that fuses with plastic so it won't wear off. The door latch is in that part (obviously) and gets touched a lot so I want something that will last. The appliance epoxy I used was a Rustoleum product. It looks so much better painted than the white is used to be, but not nearly as nice as an actual SS DW will when I can afford it. I'm planning to paint my fridge also with the same paint at some point as it is all white too. Much bigger job than just the DW door panel, however.

    Before:

    {{gwi:1392492}}
    After with partial backsplash install.

    {{!gwi}}

  • 14 years ago

    Christine - Thanks for the warning on the Krylon. Good to know!

  • 14 years ago

    SugarCookies, that looks great! Never mind that it isn't actually stainless, it looks so much better than white and certainly no worse than the sides of my SS fridge (which I'm plastering with magnets and postcards).

  • 14 years ago

    Linelle, after priming I used latex paint for the legs (the light beige) and craft paints to splatter (thinned with a little water) and for the rails, then glaze (Behr faux glaze) mixed with craft paint for the seat top, then poly'ed it a couple coats, it's been about two years and no chips or any problems with the paint.

    That's a nice job on the DW, SugarCookies!

  • 14 years ago

    That looks good Sugar Cookies. I thought about spraying painting my DW white. lol But only because there is no way to paint the two ovens a stainless color.

    Tell me about your stove and vent hood please?

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks for the compliments on the DW paint job, everyone. I thought it turned out well, much better than I expected. Up close it's not a flat gray as it's got a little bit of metallic sheen to it.

    marti8a - The range and vent hood. Well, where to start! lol The range is a 30" AG Viking and the vent hood is an 18hx30w Viking.

    To prevent completely hijacking linelle's thread, here's a couple of threads you might be interested in regarding my Viking products:

    Viking 1

    Viking 2

  • 14 years ago

    ghostlyvision - I love what you did with your stool. The seat is terrific! (I did see that you changed it, but I agree, it did turn out great.)

  • 14 years ago

    Well, these stools are dead to me now. I was all set to strip them and start over. Thought it would be a good exercise in doing it the right way. Previously I'd stripped wood of old stain and finish, and figured it would be a similar procedure.

    After several hours and multiple applications of Jasco, followed by scraping, they are still nowhere close to being rid of their paint. I think the combination of original wood finish, plus primer and four coats of Rustoleum are just too much for me. Cleaning the rungs and getting the paint gunk out of the corners ain't worth it. I killed those poor stools and I'm not gonna spend any more time this fine Easter waiting for them to rise again.

    I still like the idea of a pop of color and am thinking about just ordering unfinished stools and going from there.

    Just keep me away from spray paint. :p

  • 14 years ago

    For people interested in stainless steel paint this looks interesting: Thomas Liquid Stainless Steel paint. To the poster not wanting to get rid of your not stainless DW you could paint that dishwasher with this paint!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Thomas Liquid Stainless Steel