I make a lot of built ins that are frames with raised panels. I always paint the panels first so raw wood isn’t exposed is the panel shrinks. But, after assembly, when I paint the frame, paint manages to get into the gap between the slot in the frame and the panel, leaving some of the space filled with paint and others still having the gap and it doesn’t look good. Anybody got any tips for preventing this? I thought about painting the frame before assembly, but I think I’d still have some touch up where glue squeeze out occured, resulting in a different problem. I also thought about trimming the perimeter of the panel with waxed tape, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to get it out. Any thoughts are appreciated.
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Replies
You should caulk the joint prior to painting.
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
A big factor is what kind of paint you are using. If you are using lacquer or conversion varnish you can get better results using less finish. Thiner wetter coats will not fill the gap in the way you describe. Caulking is the usual solution in larger shops, but it softens the sharp lines that give the panel its detail. Also if you are glazing the caulked joint will not look as sharp.
The biggest thing you can do to improve the look of painted panels is something you may not like..... Use MDF. Don't use the stuff at Home Depot, there is special MDF that is designed for being shaped and holds detail very crisply. It also dosent dent as easily as the Home Depot variaty.
There also should not be enough space between the frame and panel to have this problem. But I know that is is nearly impossible to get it perfect all the way around on every panel. Using a backcutter on the raiser helps.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Thanks folks. I thought if I caulked the joint, it might tear if the panel shrunk. I've used a product from Elmer's called squeeze-n-caulk on other paint projects that might be just the ticket. It's basically thin caulk which shrinks back to a fairly sharp edge and still fills the gap so long as the gap is fairly small.
Sounds like a good plan.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
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