Tips and Tricks Tuesday #2 - Wax On Deary

Welcome to the second Tips & Tricks Tuesday linky party.  We're off to a great start with many wonderful tips from other creative bloggers.

Tammy @ Tattered & Timeless shared her beautiful china birdfeeder / birdbath tutorial with a tip on the proper glue to use and even a tip for keeping the water fresh with lavender.

 Have you ever wanted to recover a lampshade?  Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio gave us her very own special tips for making one.

Diane @ Pittypat Paperie had a terrific tutorial for making an entire desk set on the cheap.

It was difficult to choose just one from the various submissions by A Little Lovely blog, but I think the jersey knit flowers were my favorites.

Kelli @ WhimsiKel shared her creative tips on using ribbon swatches to match your decor.

Debbie @ Debbiedoos showed us how drab can be turned to fab.

And Ann @ Make the Best of Things provided her thrifty tips for this wonderful moss garden.

Now it's my turn for another tip & trick.

When you prepare to wax your furniture, do you automatically reach for that spray can that's advertised on TV?

Well, guess what?  Spray polishes and oils are really not the best bet for protecting your furniture.  Not only do they leave an oily residue behind–that actually attracts more dust and dirt–but they may cause your furniture's finish to deteriorate over time.

A good quality paste wax is a far superior product and one that will protect your furniture and keep it's natural patina looking good.

Here at the cottage, we use the three products above for our projects, as well as, our own furnishings at home. 

I thought I would show you an old wooden tool chest that I just finished waxing.  Note the wonderful character that has developed on this piece over time.

For pieces like this–where the finish is not smooth–the wax is best applied with a soft, natural bristle brush.  I occasionally find these old brushes at thrift stores and yard sales and clean them to use for times such as this.

When the finish of the piece is rough and textured–often the case with older pieces–it's best to apply the wax in a circular motion with the brush.  That way, you're sure to get wax in all the cracks and crevices.

Using a cloth would leave areas untouched by the wax and, most likely, leave bits of the cloth behind.

You can see the circular swirls on the left, where I applied the wax.  The area to the right has not been waxed, hence its dull, lifeless appearance. 

In this closer view, you can see how the wax brings out the natural patina of the piece.  I used clear wax, so what you're seeing is the actual color of the old paint coming out.

I waxed the inside of the chest, as well, to bring out the richness of the wood.  Note the difference between the unwaxed state–top image–and waxed–the image just below it.  The paste wax brings out the natural patina and provides a protective barrier for the wood.

You can achieve the same benefits with paste wax on nicer pieces of furniture, too.   Just make sure you use a soft, lint-free cloth instead of a brush.

Ask the Yankee #1 - Answers to Your DIY Questions

If you've read the introductory post for my Yankee sweetheart, you know he is quite the handyman. He designs, creates, builds, constructs, remodels, refinishes, repurposes…

You name it–he can do it!

As a home remodeler–with over thirty years experience–and a designer and builder of furniture and accessories–for the past fifteen years–he has gained vast experience and know-how in the area of do-it-yourself.

Now be honest. Even the best of us DIY mavens get stumped with our projects occasionally, right?

Have you ever wished for your own personal go-to-guy for answers to those tough DIY questions?

Well, now you have one!

Each Monday night, you can link a post or ask a question to get your toughest, most challenging, oft-frustrating questions answered by the Yankee.

Here's how:

Create a post on your blog addressing your DIY question–showing others where you're stuck in your project and need direction.

Link your post to that week's Ask the Yankee event. Link with a direct link to a post, not your main blog.

Be sure to link back to the Brambleberry Cottage within your post.

Or...

Leave your question in the comment section of the Ask the Yankee post, and place the event button on your sidebar.

The following week, a few of your questions–along with their solutions–will be featured at the cottage.

The link will be up by 9 pm EST on Monday nights.

Tips & Tricks Tuesday #1 - Hooray for Spray

Welcome to the very first Tips and Tricks Tuesday linkup party at the Brambleberry Cottage (BbC)!

Are you ready for some great tips and tricks to make your projects a breeze? Terrific! Then let's get started!

If you ask any decorator or DIY enthusiast what his or her favorite, least expensive transformation resource is, hands down the answer will be paint. And for the average small project, it will be spray paint.

We do-it-yourselfers are totally enamored with this tool. And for good reason. Paint covers a multitude of sins–literally! It costs little, but packs quite a punch. And…anyone can do it.

But there are a few tips and tricks that will ensure your end result is the best it can possibly be.

In the world of spray paint, there are several usage tips that are fairly consistent across-the-board–regardless of brand or type of spray paint used:

Safety first is rule one! Make sure you use your choice of paint in a well-ventilated area.

Wear a mask if you're sanding or scraping, and there is the possibility of lead-based paint.

Prepare the surface to be painted–making sure it is clean, dull (for best adhesion), and dry.

Air and surface temperatures should be between 50-90 degrees and below 85% humidity to ensure proper coverage and drying.

Cover the surrounding area to protect it from overspray.

Avoid spraying in windy or dusty conditions.

No doubt, you're familiar with those cardinal rules. But, are you aware that not all spray paints are created equal?

It's confession time! Do you read the entire label each and every time you use a different brand or type of paint? Well, you should.

Compare some of my favorites to understand why.  Note the manufacturer's specified distance between the can of paint and the surface being painted and the time suggested between recoats for each paint.

Hold 10"-16" from surface; apply second coat within one hour or after 48 hours.

6"-8" from surface; additional coats within one hour or after 24 hours

10"-12" from surface; recoat within one hour or after 24 hours

8"-10" from surface; recoat before 24 hours or after 7 days

10"-16" from surface; dries fully in 30 minutes and can be recoated anytime

same as one just above

As you can see, there is quite a bit of difference between differing brands and types of paint.

Applying multiple coats of paint, outside of the time frame and distance indicated on the can, may cause it to peel, crack, or develop an orange-peel texture.  And who wants that!

From now on, you're going to carefully read the directions for each paint you use, right?

Just nod your head "yes".

OK, I feel better!

Now, to wrap it up–or should I say spray it up–here are the final tips and tricks to make sure you get 'er done right:

Whether the surface to be painted is new–having never been painted–or was previously painted will determine the preparatory steps you need to take.

You may need to sand, scrape, or wire-brush to loosen or eliminate old paint– remember the safety step here.

In most cases, a simple soap-and-water cleanup will follow the step above; however, there are occasions when you will need to use an ammonia-based cleaner, or denatured alcohol or paint thinner to thoroughly clean your surface, prior to painting.

Priming the surface provides the best adhesion, but isn't always a necessity. 

Shake that paint can vigorously for one to two minutes after the mixing ball begins to rattle, and shake often during use. Think oil and vinegar. You want your dressing thoroughly mixed before you use it, and you want the paint pigment evenly distributed as well, right?

 Always begin spraying just to the side of the object to be painted and end just beyond–never directly overtop–to avoid splotches, runs or drips.

A few light passes–a minute or two apart–are better than a heavy one-coat application.

Keep your can at the same distance from the surface the entire time you're painting, and keep it moving while spraying in a gentle back-and-forth motion.

Start at the top of the object–spraying in horizontal sweeps–as you move downward and slightly overlap each stroke.

Finally, turn the can upside down–away from your paint project & yourself–and press the spray button for approximately five seconds to clear the valve of paint and to prevent clogging.

If you weren't a paint pro before, you're sure to become one by using these simple tips and tricks.

I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you have to share.  Just be sure to follow the simple rules of this party.

Be sure to linkup with the specific URL for your Tips and Tricks post, grab the event button at the top of this post and link back to the Brambleberry Cottage Tips and Tricks #1. 

Please leave a comment at the end of this post, and become my friend by following along–if you aren't already.

Happy Tips and Tricks Tuesday!

Sharing my paint mosaic at Mary's for Mosaic Monday.