It's Friday - do I hear a Hell Ya ?
I've been working on this job for 8 days straight and am still not finished.
When a client contacted me about painting this door I thought it would be a breeze - a piece of cake - a walk in the park - nothing to it, right?
Wood lovers better AM - SCRAY - just giving you a heads up!
And I'm just going to let you all know that these doors were in pretty rough shape - so no tears shed please!
Anyway the client wanted it white - and this little job turned into one of the most frustrating - tear my hair out jobs I've ever done.
The detail involved with all those panes - were a real pain in the glass.................
Oh my gosh - I just noticed the details on their radiators - amazing -
ok - where was I ?
Oh yeah - I almost lost my mind with this job - these doors are very old - and the bleed through was the most severe I've EVER had to deal with in my life...................I shellacked and shellacked and primed and primed and attempted to use chalk paint - but after using 3/4's of a tin and still not finished one door ( in the end it would have cost a couple of hundred dollars in product alone ) - I switched to BEHR floor paint - I bought the same one as I used on my bedroom floor actually - since that's just about as durable as paint comes. 15 panes of glass on each side - so 30 panes of glass to scrape clean !!! ( including varnish that was probably on it for 50 years because it took me days to get that off - but here we go..............
These doors have beautiful details - gorgeous really - and they're much nicer in person where you can actually see those details ( too bad you're stuck with my lousy photography skills ) Here's a close up
There's such pretty curving in the corners - and they're very deeply beveled
and of course the key hole is just perfectly vintageous
It took forever to do - really it did - so when I finished I took a deep breath
.
and started the next one ( didn't I mention they were a pair? )
so now let's see - 15 panes on each side - so that's 30 a door - X 2 doors - ok 60 panes to scrape and clean.................
phew - they're done..................I can snap a couple of photos
before starting on the THIRD one...............OMG - what was I thinking lol
Ok Class - tell me how many panes we're at now - Teacher is too tired to count
90 of them?
In case you're wondering why I didn't tape the windows - there wasn't any use in going to all that work when after the tape came off I'd still be left with this on almost every window !
It was on every window - both sides - and was NOT obvious when they were dark brown.............
Fresh paint can be scraped off like butter - old Varnish? Well I'm not exaggerating when I tell you
I used over 75 blades on these doors :)
I have no feeling in my left hand right now LOL.
I DID, however, tape the etched part on the glass -
I never want to see a french door again ( well except for the 2 I have in my own house that desperately need to be painted - think I'll just replace them - toss them on the curbside LMHO )
These have to be delivered tomorrow night - and that last one isn't finished yet - so you all know what I'll be doing for the entire day :)
Oh and did I mention they belong to the most gorgeous house I've ever stepped into ( and I've stepped into a LOT of gorgeous homes ) This place puts my " I WANNA live there Wednesday " series to shame !
Have a great day - and an even better weekend all
Kisses & hugs
Party Time!!!
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Hy Suzan! I know your are painting furniture for sooo long, and I am not the most apropriate person to give advices in this area, but I was thinking that maybe you can use tape on the glasses, around the wood, so when you finish painting you will just have to take off the tape, without scraping the glasses. Hugs, Cristina
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - I would normally have taped it all off - but there was so much old varnish on the glass around the edges that I was going to have to scrape anyway ( you didn't notice it so much when the doors were dark - but it would have looked awful with crisp white paint - and yellow corners ) So since I was going to have to scrape anyway ( and God did I scrape ) I decided to skip the long and tedious task of taping. XOXO
DeleteThey do look great now! It reminds me of that shelf in my kitchen I kept painting and that kept bleeding! At least you didn't have to wallpaper them... Wonder what the owner would have said!!! I'm thinking serioulsy of painting my dining-room door.. But it's only four pains, so I can do that!
ReplyDeleteWallpaper them LMHO !!!
DeleteA nice floral pattern perhaps?
4 panes sounds like a dream
XOXO
Oh Suzan, I heart you! They indeed are a pain to paint and you have to do it three times?! :\
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you're gaining lots of experience for when you paint yours :) The doors are beautiful, you did a wonderful job!
Thanks so much Cristina - it's amazing how all of the details pop now :)
DeleteMy doors are going to take a while now - haven't the heart to do them lol
xox
Ugh, I hope this project will help you finish your doors easier.. They are so pretty now!
ReplyDeleteThis project has deterred me from mine Susan - remember the story about the Shoemaker whose children went without shoes? That's me lol
DeleteThanks
xxx
I hope you were justly compensated for the T&M on this one, Suzan! It looks great.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Rita
DeleteXOXO
These doors are spectacular, Suzan!! Love how painting them brings out their beautiful details.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Why thanks Mary Alice - it's true - the details didn't show at all when it was dark - even the etched glass is more apparent now!
Deletexox
Great job!! I can't imagine doing these doors.....I put one coat on my front door last year and I still need to add the other one...lol. You are a driven woman....:) My hats off to you!
ReplyDeleteGet out there Lisa - it's time to finish that door LMHO !!!
DeleteAnd to be honest with you I'd do the same thing - this is a custom job - no choice here !
XOX
Oh, I don't envy you that task Suzan! They turned out beautifully though. Love the old doorknob and keyhole. We have one French door downstairs between the family room and a small office. It's still natural and has been there for about 18 years because I didn't want to paint around the panes. What a pain!! Now it's all turned orangey and ugly and really needs to be done. Whacha doing this weekend?? lol I hope you can relax.
ReplyDeleteWhat am I doing this weekend Pamela?
DeleteWell I'm headed out to New Brunswick ( as soon as I deliver these ) to paint your French door - I hate orange-y wood LOL
Thanks dahlink!
XOXO
Hahaha. That would be awesome! What a sweetheart you are! xo
DeleteIt looks wonderful!!!!!!! please tell me you shared this at my hop .Hugs ♥
ReplyDeleteAll linked up Katherine - thanks for the reminder ( and the compliment ! )
DeleteXOXO
as a wood lover....I have to say they look amazing! I love details, and these pop out so much nicer on white than wood. Good job.
ReplyDeleteDebbi
-YankeeBurrow
Thanks Debbie - I take that as such a compliment coming from a self proclaimed wood lover :)
DeleteXOXO
Those doors are unique masterpieces. I am so happy that the owners sought out professional help to redo them. You do great work, scrapin' sista.
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh gjrlfriend !!!
DeleteTHANKS !
xxx
ReplyDeleteMe ha encantado visitar tu bloc. Esta semana os propongo disfrutar de una fiesta muy catalana imagenes de de sant jordi espero que os guste u por eso te invito a visitar mi blog y espero que te guste. Si te ha gustado espero que si no eres seguidora te hagas ahora.
Elracodeldetall.blogspot.com
The doors are absolutely gorgeous! You did an amazing job Suzan! It must have been quite the workout for the arms too. All that paintin' and scrapin'.
ReplyDeletet was - I think I lost a couple of pounds this week - which is always a good thing Tuula lol
DeleteThanks so much :)
( hope the client likes them as much as everyone else )
xxx
You did a wonderful job. I have painted French doors but not ones with that much detail...and...I didn't tape either- I think it is easier to just edge in and then scrape when it comes to those things.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get paid in triplicate for that job, Suzan. WOW-WHAT a LOT of work. xo Diana
I have too - and actually I did some with this type of detail in them also - but they were white so no bleed through - and they were painted black ............a lot easier!
DeleteThanks Diana!
xox
Your poor hands! I know that feeling from when I did my french doors in my office. I don't tape, either. It's easier to scrape, but ouch those hands ache afterwards! Carry on!
ReplyDeleteMy hands were actually swollen Tina - and then sometimes they would cramp and I'd be running around stretching my fingers like crazy - won't be doing doors again lol.
DeleteBut it's soooo rewarding to see them looking so pretty !
XOXO
Oh my gosh! I am exhausted! Just thinking about the work you've done...
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing Suzan! You have way more patience than me. Hope you get some rest this weekend.
You did a lovely job. They look incredible!
ReplyDeleteMamma mia, what a job you did there. But as always it looks beautiful, my friend.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Hugs
You are a patient woman! I could not have done that...but they do look fabulous! Great job...:) Have a restful weekend....sounds like you need it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Vicky
Windows and French doors take such a long time to paint, you did good!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
They look fantastic but what a job with the bleed through and old varnish. I did see a show where the painters sprayed something onto the glass and then painted the windows. After the paint dried, they just peeled off the stuff they had sprayed onto the glass and it came right off and the painted grilles looked great. I thought at the time it was a pretty neat product as I too, have had the pleasure of painting old windows or doors with panes that are really pains! Excuse the long comment :)
ReplyDeleteWhat stunningly beautiful doors! You are one lucky girl!! :)
ReplyDelete“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
The math hurt my head - but those doors look amazing!!! And now you must give us a tour of that house! You can't tease us and lead us on and then leave us hanging ...
ReplyDelete:) Linda
Great job my friend these doors came out so beautiful. I know our client will love them. You have made them so pretty.
ReplyDeleteKris
Yikes all that scraping! The doors look really lovely that was genius to use the floor paint.
ReplyDeleteYou have made me a believer, Suzan. Nothing is as fresh and gorgeous as white. Now I just have to convince you-know-who. Scraping the excess with a razor blade is so much easier than messing with that horrid tape! Beautiful doors. Have fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuzan your HARD work paid off big time, these doors are gorgeous!!! I think I would really been screaming with all the work these took. Your plowed through and the details that I can see are truly amazing. Can't find this anymore that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
They look beautiful. I have pair in my house and every time I clean the glass it drives me crazy. We (by we I mean my husband! I'm too sloppy) painted ours white last year and it made such a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing but they sound like too much work for me. it hurts my hands to paint I can not even imagine doing all that scrapping. I hope they appreciate all the hard work you did. Can not imagine you doing all of that work when you have so much on the go at your house. you have more energy that I have that's for sure. hugs Tobey
ReplyDeleteSuperwoman. You are truly Superwoman in disguise, girl. I can't even bear the thought of scraping all of those windows....but those doors sure did turn out gorgeous! GREAT job once again, my talented friend! I would have loved to see the owner's face when her eye landed on her doors! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Those door look fabulous painted! They are so much prettier in white. Good job Suzan and a labor of love cuz you gotta love what you are doing to put that much work into something that's not yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a job! Your poor hands. When I do projects like that I want to scream! It makes doing chairs easy. Lol. I have a bad shoulder now from waxing and buffing. Who knew painting could be this hazardess!
ReplyDeleteI would be LMHO too! but only because I'd be going insane!!! You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThe doors are gorgeous! Great job!
Seriously...I would probably have slit my wrists with one of those razor blades.
Debbie
xo
I feel your pain! There's no going back when it's a job for a client but you did good - really good - those doors needed painting and they look so much better now. I am trying to finish a kitchen makeover but the cupboard doors keep going wrong, I won't bore you with the details but I just want to cry or give them their money back. No - that makes me want to cry even more...
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! They are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have a white kitchen and have painted many things and use tape. I agree with you, tape can be very hard to work with.
Thank you for sharing.
We have some pocket doors like this in the basement....they drove me crazy when I painted them. Cleaning them is another story. I love them and hate them at the same time. Good on you for getting that job done so well.... I would have gone bonkers.
ReplyDeleteYou must have the patience of JOB, but like most labor intensive projects, the end result was worth it. I love wood, but I'm a huge fan of white and love how it typically brings out the detail of pieces like this. Good for you for not giving up!
ReplyDeleteOh you courageous lady. I'd give you an emmy award for stamina and a beautiful paint job but you'd probably drop it after all that hard work! I think it would have given me carpal tunnel!
ReplyDeleteThey look tremendous BTW, you did a wonderful job.
Oh my gosh...well you do have my sympathy! The whole ordeal sounds hellish, and I would have run out screaming. Hope you got paid well! They do look great, though!
ReplyDeleteWow...just wow! Suzan, you are one amazing girl and those doors are gorgeous!! So did you prime first or no?
ReplyDeleteGosh, the doors are just gorgeous, no wonder owner of wonderful house called you. Gives me new appreciation of my french doors with inserts that lift off if I ever want to paint them.
ReplyDeleteOMG Suzzan. See it makes me stutter type just thinking about it. We have a few of those in our cottage (not as pretty though) but that job falls to the Captain. Thank you very much. I've scraped a few though. Incidentally, you did a magnificent job. Love to see that house..Happy Monday..Judy
ReplyDeleteNo wonder it's been kind of quiet on the Simply Vintageous front. Whaaaat, you burst my chalk paint bubble!!! Wow, that doesn't sound like fun at all but the results are stunning and your client got their windows thoroughly cleaned in the process. Kudos to you for persistence and determination!
ReplyDeleteMarie @ The Interior Frugalista
Wow, and I'm complaining about the china cabinet door...one window, 2 sides...you had 90?? Good lesson...think twice before I tackle anything like that! But, they do look amazing now.
ReplyDeleteDebbie :)
Night and Day difference...totally worth it! Wow 90 panes of glass :( what an accomplishment though!! I would love to have you join us for Centerpiece Wednesday linky party where tons of bloggers share their creativity, recipes, DIY projects and more…come on over and see and share with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/04/centerpiece-wednesday.html
ReplyDeleteKarin
I love them, Suzan! And in my opinion a little left over paint just makes them look a little shabbier!
ReplyDeleteJP
Well I hope you're charging them an arm and a leg...The doors are gorgeous. But I totally know that feeling when you feel like you are never going to finish a project. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous doors, and the white is dreamy perfect!! I painted mine last winter and I feel for you.... it is a task!! I don't tape either, easier to scrape, I think...
ReplyDeleteBella
Love the details on the doors. Luckily you only had to paint 3 :)
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous doors!! And you did such an amazing job..You have more patience than I...EVAH!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Beautiful! I believe you really did use 75 blades!
ReplyDelete