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Instructions for kit #71K
Painting: The order of assembly and painting is a back-and-
forth process of test-assembly, marking, painting, and final as-
sembly. There are three things to keep in mind as you do this:
1. Glue doesn't stick to paint. It does, however, stick to a part
that has been first-coated and sanded. For this reason, parts that
will be the same color can be glued together after one coat and
sanding, but before the second coat of paint is applied.
2. The quality of your paint job depends on sanding after
the first coat, and sanding is easiest and best while the parts are
un-assembled.
3. Where two colors of paint will be next to each other,
the neatest result will be achieved if the parts are marked and
painted to just cover the mark, leaving the rest of the joint un-
painted. That way, when they are glued together, the glue joint
will have wood for strength, and the line between colors will be
perfect (impossible to achieve with masking for painting)
B. Build the Front Steps (pack #D-96).
1. Glue together the 1st & 2nd Steps, lined up in back.
2. Paint (first coat) the Front Step Base assembly and the Treads.
3. Sand and second-coat the Treads and Base. If you intend to
texture-paint the Front Step Base, do it before attaching the Treads
C: Paint all the walls now. Do not paint the edges. Use high quality interior semi-gloss latex
enamel. Avoid old gloppy paint and poor quality paint brushes.
The First Coat goes on quick and soaks into the wood which reinforces the wood's grain so sand-
ing clips off the surface fibers instead of pushing them around. Resist the temptation to sand and
primp first... it will just make the wood fuzzy and make it more difficult to get a smooth final fin-
ish. Do not "double paint" (going back to overpaint where the paint has soaked in), it will make
sanding more difficult.
Sand everything until the paint is smooth and transparent with the wood showing thru. Sand the
clapboard one course at a time, with a folded piece of sandpaper. After a few courses, refold the
sandpaper to keep the cutting action fresh.
Re-paint. The second coat goes on smoooth and creamy, with pleanty of paint (but no puddles).
Sometimes a third coat is necessary.
Pro tip: One coat of paint or primer on the inside surface reduces moisture-induced warping.
Sand before assembly, and second-coat after assembly.
Paint the Connectors; do not paint the ends or in the grooves
Texture Paint: For the foundations and anywhere
else a textured surface is desired, base coat the surface
with plain paint and second-coat with a mixture of
paint and "Real Good Toys' Stucco Grit".
Mix the Stucco Grit with paint and apply in slaps or
short swirls
2nd Step
1st Step
Sand one clapboard at-a-time
Paint page 5
Tread
Outside
Paint the Connectors
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