Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Faux wood on garage door fix up

I was asked to patch another faux finish. It seems like more and more, customers are calling to fix a job that someone else did.  This time is was a garage door that someone had painted with a faux wood finish.  The paint and glaze was peeling very badly.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the damaged area before I fix it, therefore, I can't post it.  There was no sense in posting the after picture, either.

But here is a close up picture of the neighbor's garage door that was faux painted by the same company.  As you can see by the picture, the glaze is already started to fade, harden and crack.  That's because the faux finisher used an oil based base coat and oil based glaze to faux paint the wood finish.

I spoke to a professional at a paint store and they explained that you should never use oil for outdoors because oil becomes brittle from the sun.  Water based paints are more flexible and expand differently with the heat. Therefore, they are a better option for exterior surfaces.

Why do some faux painters use oil glaze?
The open time for oil glazes is a whole lot longer than it is for water based glazes.  That's why some professionals prefer to use them.  However, as you can see by the picture, they don't hold up very well outdoors because of the sun.  So if your doors get a lot of exposure to the sun, you will be very sorry if you resort to using oil paints and glazes, in order to get the open time.  Besides, water based paints are usually more eco friendly paints.

How to faux paint wood grain with water based glazes
Using water based faux painting glazes can be difficult outside, especially if you are working directly in the sun.  The open time is decreased due to the heat.  Working in the shade is better, however, sometimes it's not an option.  Therefore, creating the faux wood effect quickly is the ideal solution.  Stay posted as we continue to develop our faux wood DVD.  The more I paint, the better ideas I am given by the Lord.

10 comments:

Garage Equipment said...

I think the company didn't have enough knowledge about the faux painting. I guess they should think of the beast solution about it. They couldn't continue this kind of job unless they want to lose their customer.

Munchkin said...

mine is more or less like this one, How do I fix it?

Murals and Faux Painting said...

Dear Munchkin, you will need to sand the door down, then use a very good primer that sticks to oil but that is water based. Then paint with your base coat again and proceed to faux paint the faux wood faux finish. Did you have someone else paint the door or did you?

Painting Companies said...

I think the company didn't have enough knowledge about the faux painting. I guess they should think of the beast solution about it.

Janalyng said...

Hi Sandra,
I was wondering, what would you think about (on a steel garage door) using a water based base paint, then a oil based wood stain(zar brand) then water based polyurethane top coat(3-4coats) for a garage door? Thanks, you seem very knowledgable. The reason for the wood stain is hat is what I am really good with...
Jana

Murals and Faux Painting said...

Dear Janalyng, Oils and water based paints don't mix. There are some primers that are oil based that you can add water base paint to but I don't know about adding a water based clear coat to the oil. You can add oil to anything, including water based paint, but not vice versa. I know that it's easier to faux with oil glazes, but they won't last outdoors. Plus they are toxic. Our technique uses only water base glaze and although you have less open time, you can still achieve some nice grain lines. Go to http://muralsandfauxpainting.com/how-to-paint-faux-wood.html and see our pics and go to our store to buy the kit. God bless, Sandy

Unknown said...

What should I seal it with?

Murals and Faux Painting said...

Dear Osvaldo, we don't seal our faux finishes, even on garage doors. It's not necessary if you use exterior paint. We use Floetrol for our glaze which is meant to be used with water based wall paints.

Unknown said...

hola Sandra yo tengo un problema alguien using pintura de aceite en mi puerta y ahora esta horrible se le callo el color y mas aun se empeso a cracking y se mira horrible, pienso hacerlo una ves mas el efecto madera, y Mi pregunta es la siguiente, cual es la mejor pintura que devo de usar para ponerla como base ya que quiero repintar primero para sellara las cuartiadas que dejo el efecto del Sol, en esa pintura de aceite. Gracias y Dios te Bendiga

Murals and Faux Painting said...

To Unknown,
Es mejor usar un buen "sandpaper" y después puedes usar un poquito de alcohol para quitar el polvo y grasa. Después usar un buen "primer". Y después poner el base de "water based exterior wall paint". Pero si esta super mal en que se esta rajando mucho, es mejor quitarlo todo, sea "you have to strip" la pintura deviaje hasta el fondo y entonces pintar el base. Espero que me entiende. Dios te bendiga también.