Waiting for paint to dry???

 This topic is so very simple,,, yet, it takes forever for people to figure it out.

We had a class this weekend that lasted more than three hours for most people.  Only two finished their BQ's before leaving, and one finished later that afternoon.  The biggest time consumer?  waiting for paint to dry because they were USING TOO MUCH PAINT!!  (Yes, I said that very loud.!)

One of the first things I tell people is that "paint will dry in 8 seconds."   I promise you... If you go back to touch up a stroke after 8 seconds, you will leave deep brush marks because the paint has already started to form a "skin."   So why isn't the paint you just applied not drying quickly so you can proceed??  You are applying tooooo much paint!

I'm going to do a video (after  my coffee) to illustrate this.  We'll use the first thing you are going to paint as a vibrant example.  A THIN coat of varnish along the edges of the tape.  This is applied to prevent paint from "bleeding" under the tape and ruining your sharp edges.  Bleeding paint also means you have to go back later and touch it up.  Waste of time and waste of tape!!

When you are doing this to seal that edge, keep in mind:  The edge of the tape isn't very thick.  You don't need to paint a very wide link to create a seal!  A brush about 1/4" wide is ample.  Nothing wider is required and will lead to applying TOO MUCH PAINT!  

If you position your eyes so you can see the reflection of light in the paint, you will see how thick the coat of varnish is.  It doesn't take much.  If you took a paper towel and wiped off the paint that you just applied the tape would still be sealed.  That's with almost NO tape!   Let's watch the video:

OK, so I'm not ready for prime time... but the message is there. You can actually brush the varnish on, wipe off the excess and the tape is sealed... in less than about 30 seconds.  On to step 2!!

Enjoy the day!

Jeff

TheBarnQuilter.net