Is it an oops?

 

I have created a lot of projects over the years. One of the hardest things that I have had to figure out is “the finishing process.” I mainly finished my projects with wood stain. Stain has limited colors and can be expensive. There are also limitations as with any finish.  

            With finishing with wood stain, I have learned the type of wood “really does make a difference.” Each wood responds to the stain differently. I have realized even the same kind of wood will not come out the same either. When I stained my first three projects I used three different kinds of stain. I realized the first one was away to dark, ironically the stain was “dark walnut.” I progressed with lighter kinds of stains. I later learned there was a “pre-stain,” which helps get an even color across the work.

            With these different projects I realized one thing looking back. The material used to apply the stain also makes a difference. I was directed to use old socks which were available. The socks holds extra stain and doesn’t apply evenly like a sponge brush or regular paint brush. There is a lot more I could explain. However, I need to figure out how to write it so its “not boring.”

            I got to a point in my projects that I wanted to expand my capabilities. I also was looking for a different look. Something I realized stain couldn’t give me. I considered painting however, was nervous because “I have no idea what I would do.”

            Painting holds its own share of challenges and difficulties. I still have a lot of things to learn. Airbrush painting is fun and can give a different look, it also helps to blend colors. I am of course no expert and don’t plan on becoming one. I just like a challenge, and to have fun. I first painted a box, and then my sword. I painted and stained the sword and shield project, which had its own share of nerves combining the different finishes. If you want more about the shield and sword project, the blog with that story is called “something missing.”

            With everything, why do I call this blog “Is it an oops?” Well, I will try my best to explain. I carved a clock which came out amazingly. This clock had a lot of interesting details. I started to try my hand with “gilding” which you add colored foil to your work. Some people know it as “gold leaf.” I also liked to add colored glass into my projects as well. I was envisioning a gold look for the clock. I got the project painted and added the glass and epoxy inlay. I unfortunately realized that trying to sand epoxy next to paint is “really difficult.” Because the paint likes to come off. Through my learning of gilding, I didn’t have success putting it onto raw wood. Of course, at this point in the project it was base painted black. Project completed and at the time “I thought I liked it.”

          

  Over time looking at the different progression pictures I realized something. I didn’t finish the project right. I liked the raw wood look better, because it showed more of the carving details. Don’t get me wrong, painting it wasn’t a bad idea. I just didn’t do it right. I over did the gilding and added way too much gold. I added way too much paint which took some of the details away, probably because I used spray paint. The final project had a haze to it, plus you couldn’t see the glass inlay. It wasn’t sanded correctly to give the right finish. The more I looked at the different pictures I started to become frustrated. It was becoming harder to even look at the picture for how I finished it. Of course, hindsight is 2020. I concluded I had a choice to make and the light bulb came on.

            I concluded there is no harm to “redo the clock.” I will sand the paint off, get the epoxy finish sanded to where I want it to be. Currently do I have any idea for the right finish “no.” But that will not stop me from trying again. Have I done this yet, “No.” But still plan to sometime in the future. I will post finished redo photos when completed.