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My Dreamhouse Instructions - Paint
A word about primer: Primer is designed to help paint stick
to an impervious surface or to join layers of dissimilar paints.
In this application, the fi rst coat of paint soaks right into the
wood and fi lls the grain - you could do that with primer, but its
job of being an interface between different materials doesn't
apply here. In this application, primer just adds steps and ex-
pense. I don't use it here and don't recommend it.
Paint the parts the fi rst coat. The fi rst coat mostly soaks
Paint the parts
the fi rst coat. The fi rst coat mostly soaks
into the wood, fi lling and reinforcing the grain so the sanding
into the wood, fi lling and reinforcing the grain so the sanding
step clips off the fi bers and leaves the surface smooth. Resist
step clips off the fi bers and leaves the surface smooth. Resist
sanding before painting - it will leave the surface fuzzy and
sanding before painting - it will leave the surface fuzzy and
make a smooth fi nish harder to achieve. The quality of your
make a smooth fi nish harder to achieve. The quality of your
fi nal fi nish is dependent on the quality of the sanding after the
fi nal fi nish is dependent on the quality of the sanding after the
fi rst coat. Do not go back to re-paint just because the paint has
fi rst coat. Do not go back to re-paint just because the paint has
soaked in. Just a bit of paint left on the surface tells you you
soaked in. Just a bit of paint left on the surface tells you you
have put on enough to saturate the grain, which is the right
have put on enough to saturate the grain, which is the right
amount. More paint than that will only make sanding harder.
amount. More paint than that will only make sanding harder.
Glue doesn't stick to paint. Avoid painting edges, grooves,
Glue doesn't stick to paint.
and areas that will be glued.
and areas that will be glued.
Paint the Back and Sides on both faces. Paint the Floor on one face
(consider a 'faux-wood' fi nish on the fl oor... see Youtube gpr01010).
Paint the Ceiling Liner on one face.
Paint the Trim on one face and both edges.
Sand everything. Sand until the paint is smooth and "soft"
Sand everything
. Sand until the paint is smooth and "soft"
feeling, transparent, and some of the wood is showing through.
feeling, transparent, and some of the wood is showing through.
Sand the Clapboard one-clapboard-surface-at-a-time. Fold
Sand the Clapboard one-clapboard-surface-at-a-time. Fold
the sandpaper and sand back and forth until the surface of that
the sandpaper and sand back and forth until the surface of that
board is smooth and transparent; then move on to the next
board is smooth and transparent; then move on to the next
board. Fold the sandpaper as needed to keep it fresh.
board. Fold the sandpaper as needed to keep it fresh.
Paint the second coat. The Second coat for the outside of the
Walls may be done after assembly of the housebody (that's
what I do). The second coat goes on smooth and creamy with
enough paint on the brush so it is quiet while you are brushing
the paint out, but not enough to leave puddles or drips.
Clean the edges and grooves before assembly. A little paint always
Clean the edges and grooves
builds-out the corner of an edge or groove and will make assembly
builds-out the corner of an edge or groove and will make assembly
harder and the glue joint less strong. Test the Floor, Liner, and Back
harder and the glue joint less strong. Test the Floor, Liner, and Back
in their grooves to see that they fi t well.
in their grooves to see that they fi t well.
Cleaning a groove with a Cabinet Scraper
Cleaning a groove with a Cabinet Scraper
Avoid painting edges, grooves,
before assembly. A little paint always
Do not stack painted parts - even when they feel dry
they will stick and damage each other. Keep them
spread out or separate them with waxed paper.
Cleaning an edge with the
back of a utility knife blade
page 3
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