OMG! Whose idea was it to paint this cabinet anyway?!? I posted about the new cabinet that I ordered for our master bathroom makeover here. Unfortunately, it was not the white white color it appeared on the website so it didn’t go very well with our existing bathroom cabinetry.
This was the worst. project. ever! It is a fail and not one I am proud of. If nothing else, maybe you can learn from my mistakes. I thought I would use white paint that I already had on hand, but it was just not working out properly on this piece. I don’t know if it is because it is a laminate surface, MDF, or just not real wood ~ whatever the issue, you could see the paint was not going on well. This was even after I lightly sanded it. So it was off to my local store to get some Annie Sloan chalk paint in Pure White.
I have had good luck with the Annie Sloan paint adhering just fine to most surfaces I have painted in the past, so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, this was not even going on properly! I was getting frustrated ~ to say the least.
I remembered I had just recently pinned something about a paint by Glidden called Gripper. I figured this was my last resort and, with fingers crossed, got a can. This actually adhered and allowed me to get some paint on.
I finished up with a urethane to protect it, which makes me laugh now, because when I was putting the shelves back in place, they were scraping along the inside sides and took paint right off. In fact, I think the paint made the cabinet expand and contract (the wet paint?) and it was a bit tight getting the shelves back in place.
I can not tell you how glad I am this gosh darn thing is done!
I decided not to replace the existing knobs but to use some Rub N Buff in silver instead.
My advice, if you are buying a piece that is laminate, buy it in the color you want it in. If my husband hadn’t put this together when I wasn’t around, I would have returned it. Otherwise, find something that is real wood that can be painted. If you have good luck with painting laminate, my hat’s off to you! I will never do it again!
So, making the best of the situation, I accessorized with most of what I’d had on the middle section of the vanity. I’m trying not to let the cabinet ruin the rest of the bathroom makeover for me. What a train wreck this was! I’m glad to see the end of that project!
22 comments:
Oh so sorry. I hate to paint anything once, much less 3 times.
It looks beautiful, Kathy, but that does sound like a stressful painting project!!
I think it looks nice after all that work. I hate painting anything. I am not a patient person and dontlike the whole process! Lol! But I really do think you perserverence aid off! Lol! On to the next project. Lol
Xoxo
Vivian
OH NO! You poor dear, Kathy!!!! I hate it when that kind of things happen.
I loathe laminate, and I swear it's exactly something that would have happened here......I like to be there for ALL changes, men just don't quite see what we see.
Hats off to you not taking a torch to it and chucking it to the curb.
It looks GREAT - let the paint temper, don't keep that stuff on it till it sets for a week or you will have more problems.
Hugs.
Oh! That is so disappointing, Kathy. I have had fails like that, too. Just a nightmare when that sort of thing happens.
Well, at least it looks good now that you have it done but, the truth is, you will probably always look at it with a critical eye because it was such a pain for you.
Just know that to US-on the outside- it looks just beautiful!
Next project will be so much better. xo Diana
Oh I am so sorry this happened to you!...I think we have all encountered a nightmare like this at one point in our lives...however, it turned out beautiful Kathy!...looks great in the bathroom!
Oh Kathy what an ordeal! If it makes you feel any better we've all had disaster/fail projects before. At least your final outcome looks great! I know it was frustrating but now you can move on.....I think that cabinet looks like it's been there all along. Love what you're doing. Hang in there:)
xoKathleen
I feel for you. I have had a situation like that in the past and it is just an awful feeling. The cabinet looks wonderful. Can not wait to see your bathroom finished.
Oh no, Kathy! Sorry to hear this was such a stressful project! It looks great in the end but you definitely learned a few lessons the hard way. I have surely gone through similar situations and it is so very frustrating. It does add so much charm to your bathroom. Here's to your next project going easier :)
If it makes you feel any better, I think it looks great! =) Like how you dressed it up too.
Jeanine
whew, what a job that was. It looks great now! Your efforts paid off in the long run!
What a bummer Kathy. Sorry you had to get so frustrated. It is hard to wrap your brain around something when your expectations weren't met.
Cindy
I'm so sorry, Kathy! I have walked in your shoes! It's never fun to experience such trouble when painting! Your bath room is gorgeous! All your hard work paid off! I love this space!
I think it looks sensational, Kathy! I feel so bad that you had so much trial and error, that's a big piece. I haven't done a lot of painting furniture (hoping I will be though). I'm wondering if a primer first might have worked. I once heard a blogger say she would never paint anything without that first. I'm sure you know if this works or not. Anyway, I love it and love your tenacity!!
Jane x
Hi Kathy, oh I'm so sorry you had this happen. I did not realize your cabinet was laminate. The only thing that works first is to prime with Kilz and then it might take several coats. That built in I shared a post or two ago, was a high gloss laminate to start with. It took two coats of primer before my final paint color. Not fun I know. Chalk paint did NOT work on mine either. I had to use the color I did the rest of the kitchen cabinets with.
But your bathroom looks gorgeous Kathy in spite of the difficulties. You did an amazing job and your hard work paid off. You have great storage and can even decorate the top too. I know you are glad it's done.
Beautiful room!
Hugs,CM
Oh Kathy - so sorry this was such a nightmare for you! If it helps... I think the end product turned out beautifully.
You're right to just move on, put it behind you and enjoy the rest of the changes.
xo
Poor thing! Three times? I would have probably given up on it. But your piece looks great now and I'm sure you're enjoying the extra storage it's giving you. Chin up because you did do it, even if it took 3 times! :)
Thanks for popping in to see me and your kind comments.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Oh boy that stinks! I don't know if you recall but I painted a piece that was not real wood with kilz hide all. I had Lowes add color to it. It worked really well. Just a thought. Then I waxed it and so far a year later it looks great.
We've all had our train wreck projects... but this came out looking great to me!
Hugs,
Lin
so sorry for the extra effort, kathy, but, it really looks great now:)
Kathy, How frustrating that whole experience must have been! It all looks really nice though even if it was a really difficult process. I just wanted to let you know that I have a special blog post up on the old blog. P.S. I hope you remember me, LOL! ~ Jamie
I can't believe the chalk paint wouldn't stick, but you never know. I just did a lingerie chest and it was slick as ice even after I painted it and I couldn't get the image to stick. They must be making this stuff out of a new material we're not used too. I bet you can't even tell it got scratched.
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