My DIY Redemption

Even though sometimes it's ultra embarrassing and I'd really rather not, I'm honest about my DIY feats and failures.  I shared the drippy bottle bomb and the two-for-one paper mache and gift wrapping fails.  Remember when I tried to paint all the original frames for my vintage silhouettes?  I don't know if the paint had gone bad or if there was a problem with the "wetware" (what my Dad, in the computer biz, calls people because we're largely made of water and often the source of computer probs).  Whatever the problem, the frames turned out so gunky I had to scrap them and, head hung low, buy new ones.

Despite DIY successes like this and this, I failed DIY 101: spray painting!

When another silhouette crossed my path (for only $3.99 - my best find yet), I bravely decided it was time to face my silhouette-frame-spray-painting fears . . .

Ok.  If I'm being honest, I had to work with this frame because store-bought sizes didn't leave room for the awesome description of the silhouette artist who has cut over 1.5 million silhouettes, including silhouettes for folks like The Pope of Rome at the Vatican (1927) and President Hoover!

Supplies:

If the magic is in the materials, here is what I used: Rust-oleum Painter's Touch primer in white and Krylon Dual Paint and Primer in Matte Black spray paint (leftover from this chair makeover). 

Steps For Avoiding a DIY Bomb:

Before and after my bomb, I successfully spray painted many a thing, so I just did what I normally do - although I was a bit over-cautious this time, what with the double priming:

• I waited for a perfect weather day - not too cold, not too warm, not too humid, not too windy
• I used a shallow cardboard box to protect the grass
• Then I carefully sprayed on the spray primer
• I sprayed one side, let it dry for a few hours, flipped it over and then sprayed the other side
• I let it dry for 48 hours (to be extra, extra sure)
• Then I waited for another perfect weather day and carefully applied the spray paint
• I applied thin, even coats following the can instructions to the letter

And?

The frame turned out beautifully and the faux, exaggerated wood grain really pops with the new darker paint.

It looks perfect with the rest of my (growing) collection.  Plus I'm happy to report I am still loving my magnetic board! 

Now I need to actually make my own silhouette.