Tom M
Well-known member
I recently made two bathroom vanities (18th century style - of course). They are painted poplar. For the first one we bought paint at Sherman Williams and they recommended we use enamel and prime first. I bought a can of S_W shellac based primer. The primer was terrible to work with. I used milk paint once before and it seemed similar. It then took me three coats of the top coat to not see though the enamel paint (which was a dark grayish green color). I would brush it on and the next brush stroke would seem to "cut" through what I had just put down. So I ended up having to paint the stupid vanity four times. And several weeks later the enamel still is somewhat sticky feeling.
For the other vanity I used the same primer, but this time (my wife bought it) they sold her latex - even though she told them it was for a bathroom vanity. The top coat went on much easier, but I still needed two coats due some molding that I didn't get a good coat on the first time. Couple hours after painting the latex felt dry as a bone. Much easier to apply than the enamel.
Now for the questions:
1) Did I just have a bad experience with the primer or is this common?
2) Does enamel always behave this way or was it because of the primer?
3) Enamel vs latex for this application? Bathroom? What about if I was painting a book case?
4) Do I really need to use a primer if the wood is clear - no knots? What's the point?
My next honey-due project is bookcases for the family room, which will be painted. Much larger surfaces, and I think I would go crazy if I had to paint them 4 times!
Thanks,
Tom
For the other vanity I used the same primer, but this time (my wife bought it) they sold her latex - even though she told them it was for a bathroom vanity. The top coat went on much easier, but I still needed two coats due some molding that I didn't get a good coat on the first time. Couple hours after painting the latex felt dry as a bone. Much easier to apply than the enamel.
Now for the questions:
1) Did I just have a bad experience with the primer or is this common?
2) Does enamel always behave this way or was it because of the primer?
3) Enamel vs latex for this application? Bathroom? What about if I was painting a book case?
4) Do I really need to use a primer if the wood is clear - no knots? What's the point?
My next honey-due project is bookcases for the family room, which will be painted. Much larger surfaces, and I think I would go crazy if I had to paint them 4 times!
Thanks,
Tom