Hi Patti, I am so excited to have found your site, I know you’ve heard this before! We are looking to purchase a home that has 12 year old medium oak cabinets, I have searched “hi and low” to find products that I can use to give them a new, updated professional look myself. I want a furniture finish, maybe the wall cabinets in parchment w/toner and a new island we will have built, in a chocolate textured base with toner. I now know the difference between the Reclaim paint (for smoother, easier application, and self-sealing) and then the Textured base coat line (thicker, more work applying and then you would need to add a sealer/protectant at the end).

First, what product would you recommend for a beginner (I do DIY projects a lot, don’t mind hard work and time) and what should I expect as far as drying times inbetween processes (like 4-5 hours or 2-3 days??).

I really want to eliminate most of the heavy oak texture, and I will be adding more moldings, etc. before I refinish. The cabinets are in great shape, hidden hinges and no previous hardware drilled…so it should have a great outcome [if I don't mess it up!] Thanks so much, can’t wait to order my samples and get going! -Amy

Hi Amy,  nice to meet  you via blog land!  I hope  I can help…

Well,  both the TBC’s (textured basecoats)  and Reclaim are options for DIY’ers -  the TBC’s are very versatile – you can mash them, smoosh them, brush them, thin then down and brush or roll -

Peppercorn TBC

Basically, create ANY look you desire, so all that’s required is that you like what you create.     You say you want a furniture finish -  either line will give you that – I kindof favor the TBC’s, only because you can do more with them – brush thinner, brush thicker, drag other color in… and they are quicker to work with – you can liteally blowdry the TBC and then sand, and brush on toner or glaze- whereas the Reclaim needs to wait a good 3-5 days before applying any kind of glaze on top.   Thats the ADHD in me, too anxious to get to the next step….

I like that the TBC’s are thicker – they will cover your oak grain better than the REclaim

TBC Parchment on left, Reclaim Offwhite on right

With that said,  I’ll find myself painting w/the Reclaim and questioning why I want to use the TBC’s -  the Reclaim application is  easy – brush areas that are tight, then whiz roll the rest…. do a couple coats, then wait 3-5 days and brush on/ wipe off  glaze…     Can’t find a quicker, easier application.

Reclaim with Glaze

If you add more moldings, don’t worry about priming, etc – just paint over those like the rest of your cab’s and you’ll never know the difference.    Hidden hinges – perfect,  just paint over them for extra ease – I hate removing doors…

I wish I could give you better advice – like “Use Textured Basecoats”  or “Reclaim is better”  but really it comes down to personal choice.  Both are easy, both are doable, both will result in a lovely finish – but you need to decide which way you want to go.   If you want to see some samples give me a shout ,  Patty

So when painting cabinets, it’s okay if some base shows through? I was worried two coats wasn’t enough. But I’m guessing after using glaze, it just adds to the antiquing?

I replied

Sure, you can have some of the base still showing through, or you can paint another layer or paint over those ‘lighter’ areas until you get full coverage – thats the beauty, its totally up to you.

If you dont do a solid coverage of paint, and sand back and glaze, you will achieve a more aged antiqued look.

When I use any of the colors, I might see some base coming through as I apply layer 1 – I could leave it that way, or apply 1 more coat for a solid finish. When I use the white or offwhite over a darker base my first coat is always uneven, and the second coat (if I apply on the thinner side)  can also leave some hints of base transferring through. I usually do one last brush over those areas for an even finish.

If  you’re using the Textured Basecoat paints and brushing them out (not mooshing) :

Layer 1 of Parchment color textured basecoat will look something like this -

brushing it thin leaves alot of base exposure, but it covers as you continue-

Wait a couple hours to dry, then  Brushing on layer 2 -

I like to scrub in layer 2 – really get it in those grooves,

scrubbing, but then always brushing it out in an up and down manner, even wetting my brush tips with water and brushing that in to help smooth it all out

If  you’re using the Reclaim paints:

then your first coat of White colored Reclaim will look something like this

After layer 2 it will resemble this

With the White over darker wood you might have a few areas that are lighter, like bottom right of this cabbie door, that show up once the layer is dry -

If I want solid coverage, two coats usually does it – sometimes I’ll have to take one more swipe at a spot that looks light , other times it looks good after the first coat – no way to really know until you start.

The beauty in painting with Caromal paints?  There really aren’t any rules, except that you start with a clean surface.  Use it your way,  create the look you want – base showing/no base showing  -  and when you like it?  You’re done!

So, do you think maybe she just didn’t get the toner? If so, I will just order it and hopefully I can do it. Any other pointers would be helpful. I am not much of a painter/decorator…

I suggested she order a small Toner and simply brush on, wipe off -  it would be easy peasy, and would get her to a richer tone overall.

She ordered, she used herself, and she conquered!

Wish I had a before picture to share… just imagine boring and solid same…  Transformed to something pretty

(from the back cover)

A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure

Authors and friends, Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith and Mary Southerland explore what “Just trust me” entails. Words so often heard in movies just before something bad happens. And yet, God asks us to trust Him.

In a culture where taking control of our own lives is urged, trusting God has become a religious platitude rather than a life-changing attitude. So what does trusting God really look like?

Sharon, Gwen, and Mary – the Girlfriends in God team – come from different backgrounds but have all individually wrestled with weighty issue.  And in Trusting God, they bring their combined experiences and biblical knowledge into one place.  Whatever you’re struggling with, they can relate and have probably been there themselves.

In this book you’ll find:

- A unique 12-week devotional study

- A Bible-study guide and journal page at the end of each week’s study

- The flexibility to study on your own or with girlfriends… or both.

I ‘ve been a follower of GIG for awhile now, and I really like reading their online devotions.    If you need some winter reading, check it out!

Learn from the master himself – Drew Beninati, founder of Minneapolis Institute of Fine Finishes and creator of Colors by Drew.

The class runs Monday/Tuesday 9am – 3pm, and includes lunch,refreshments and course manual.  Class fee $300 .    Join us last minute as a walk in, there’s space!

Remember the old bulletin board that I painted with Reclaim Mocha Silver?

I took it down and moved it behind my desk, and in its place I painted a makeshift chalkboard using Reclaim Licorice and silver border with stencil

not sure the Reclaim works as chalkboard paint, but I wrote over it anyway. I’ll let you know when it comes time to erasing and re-writing.   The chalk wrote over it easily, and even erased nicely with a dry rag… I figured the paint has a built in sealer, so I should be able to wipe it down with a damp rag – but I need to wait 5 days before attempting that  -  Reclaim needs to dry good before re-wetting.

Lastly,  if you pop in the store you’ll notice a few non-painty things… like

and these  (sorry these 2 are a little blurry)

They are a few props from Anna Bella’s Closet – a local women’s traveling boutique.  Owner, Donna McLellan offers unique and affordable clothing, hats, scarves, boots, jewelry, purses, wallets & much more.

I’m going to host an open house event at my store -  Friday March 2nd  from 500pm – 800pm.   Mark your calendar, and come join us for a glass of wine and some shopping fun.   Girls love a night out!

Filed under: Caromal Colours DIY, Metro Detroit Businesses, Textureline, ~Caromal Colour RECLAIM ]]> http://fabulousfinishes.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/store-happenings-textureline-reclaim-chalk-paint-and-a-trunk-show/feed/ 1 FabulousFinishes DSC_2958 DSC_1189 DSC_2956 DSC_2871 DSC_2872 DSC_2873 http://fabulousfinishes.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/decorating-a-foyer-medallion/ http://fabulousfinishes.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/decorating-a-foyer-medallion/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:50:47 +0000 Patty Henning http://fabulousfinishes.wordpress.com/?p=15744 Continue reading →]]> A before

First a primer base

now make it gold

It looked cool that evening I left

but more to come.  Starting to glaze this pretty thing

Voila!

Not so fast…  there was this thing called a SEAM…  you can see it here (click it)

I learned a lesson on this job.  I won”t start over an imperfection again – some things we can make go away with paint techniques, but not a structural defect.

The painter repaired the seam, then re-basecoated it for me.  Then I came back and goldened it once again…

then glazed once more.     Beautiful!

Filed under: Architectural Elements, Decorative Painting, The Front Entry ]]> http://fabulousfinishes.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/decorating-a-foyer-medallion/feed/ 6 FabulousFinishes DSC_2243 [1280x768] DSC_2245 [1280x768] DSC_2248 [1280x768] DSC_2251 [1280x768] DSC_2253 [1280x768] DSC_2254 [1280x768] DSC_2289 DSC_2306 DSC_2252 [1280x768] DSC_2308 [1280x768] DSC_2310 [1280x768] DSC_2321 [1280x768]