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Dave Macfee writes:

Groop,

Have a project I could use some input on before I venture a bid.
You may look at this and think Good Lord, why would anyone
bother with this set? Well this is the ol' sentimental VALUE
discussion again. It's important to this customer.
She wants it as near factory new as she can
and is prepared for a healthy number to get it there.

I do painted (opaque lacquer) work occasionaly but in the past
we have avoided doing any hand painted or stenciled detail work,
since none of us here have any skill in this area.

Recently though, I have made a contact with a person who can
do the detail work and we are trying to collaborate on this project.
She does a lot of craft painting with acrylics,
but has never done anythign on furniture.

It appears to me I have one base color and I do not think it
was glazed, though glazing might make it more interesting.
What may appear as a glaze over the paint is just yellowing
of the top clear coats, I believe. After the base color, there is
a secondary color used to border some drawers and as a
contrasting color on turnings. Next we have a gold color that
is used on the line work, highlights on turnings, and recesses
of certain parts. Lastly we have several decorations which
appear to be a combination of stenciling and a little brush work.

Here is what we plan to do:

Repair, Strip bare, sand;
1. prime coat or tinted vinyl sealer - sand

2. Base color coats (2)

3. Secondary color - what material? application method?
... now here I could use some input. I can't really see any
brush marks on the original job, but I can't figure out how
they would have sprayed this. I figure it has to be brushed.
It really does not look like a glaze.

4. Gold line work- what material? application method?
Is there not a tool available for doing this?

5. Gold highlighting on carvings- same material as in 4,
- application method?
Again, as in step 3 I am a little unsure if this is to be brushed
I can't see any other practical way except to brush it.

6. Stenciled and Painted decorations. - Material?
Application method I think she has this covered
but fire away if you have suggestion.

7. Clear gloss topcoat, maybe 2 coats -
solvent clear ok over acrylic?

8. gentle sand

9. Final clear topcoat, dull sheen.

I would like to use a nitro lac system on the sprayed coats,
but I"m assuming acrylic paints are best for the detail work.
The base coat is a greenish blue, but with yellowing the pictures
show the color more green. The secondary color is a darker blue.

Will I be able to topcoat acrylic paints with solvent lacquer?
If so, any acrylic paints or only certain ones?
Any recommendation for the Golden paints on this application?
(I have never used them). If solvent lacquer is not workable, I assume
I could resort to a waterbase topcoat for the clears, yes/no?

If all this is too long and confusing, the main thing I'm looking for
guidance on is compatibilty between my topcoats and the acrylic
paints. If there is a specific brand/line of acrylic paint I should use.

If you think for compatibility reasons that a waterbase clear coat
is mandatory, please recommend a product.

If you would prefer to do this by phone, let me know.

Dave Macfee
KS























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