Painting

So about two years ago I discovered I was bad a painting. Well, painting cabinets.I feel like I can do walls OK, but not cabinets. I suck at cabinets. See for yourself.

Well, I scraped that one off and tried it again. the saving grace is that the bathroom doesn't have any windows so the light's not that good. Anyway, we pressed on through adversity and got the job done.

Then, when some time had passed and allowed me to forget how bad I was at painting, I talked myself into thinking I could do it again. It's one of those things where you get better at it the farther back into history it is. 

I had an ace in the hole though. I was going to use Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformations. Just look at the box! The finish is perfect! Piece of cake! 

See how my mind works? Just like a sixth grader looking at the fantastic ads in the back of Boy's Life magazine. A hovercraft for $5 you say? How can I live without it?

Actually, I don't think that's fair. Cabinet Transformations is not on the same level as a cool hovercraft. It's pretty good system, but the finish isn't really what we had in mind. It's a four part system. Check it out.

1. Deglosser

2. Bond Coat

3. Decorative Glaze

4. Clear Topcoat

(Pro tip: Keep plenty of bath toys around for good luck.)

So that third step, the decorative glaze is kind of the rub. Your skill (or not) with that is a big determining factor about how the finished product turns out. The picture below shows one of the finished doors. So far I've finished 2 out of 19. I already finished it once, didn't like it, repainted it, and tried again. All I'm getting is a big....'meh'. It's not what I had in mind. In the pictures you can't really see the imperfections. I have to admit, the glaze gives it that weathered look that many people are looking for these days. Also, the glaze combines with the prevalent brushstrokes to give it a nice look. The bottom line, however, remains that it's not what I thought it was going to be. 

It's not often that I find myself at a complete loss as to what to do, but with this project I'm there. Chelsea and I discussed it this afternoon. I remembered that I had bought some paint for the closet door in the kiddo's room. Five months later, I have yet to crack open that paint. So we thought, we might as well try painting one of the other cabinets with it and see which we like best.

Well, I got two coats on with a foam roller. So far it looks OK. Of course, the real test is what the doors look like with the paint. I haven't tried those yet. It will probably take three coats all around.

Hopefully, if nothing else, this post will serve as a reminder to me. A reminder that I shall not paint cabinets. Let me say it one more time: "I SHALL NOT paint cabinets!" I'm have more experience doing carpentry. It will be less time and pain to simply replace the cabinets.