Frame finishing - white

[stripethespringer]

Hi

I am tryting to finish some ash moulding with a white finish. I have tried various paints, waxes etc but still not getting the finish that looks good enough.

Does anyone have any tips on finishing own frames, especially white.

thanks

Steve

[sim.on]

Halfords white car primer and their gloss white spray would give a nice finish if the moulding width isn't too wide. You would need some of their (or similar) fine paper as well.

[Gesso&Bole]

What sort of finish are you looking for?

I favour a white wash, and then liming wax on ash

[stripethespringer]

I think a white wash/wax finish to what I am looking for.

What is the best process to follow in terms of what products to use/ applying etc?

thanks

[Gesso&Bole]

My standard white ash is done as follows (starting with unfinished ash);

1) Make the fame (making sure no glue leaks out onto the face of the wood)
2) Quick brush over with bronze bristle brush (Lion) to open the grain a bit.
3) White acrylic paint mixed with water about 50/50 painted on, and left to dry
4) Liberon liming wax put on with 000 steel wool dry for 30 mins
5) I usually wipe some of the white off, by waxing again with Liberon neutral wax, which gives a richer (but less white) finish when buffed up.
or you can just buff up the liming wax.

Experiment on the offcuts - you dont always need to do the white paint bit - depends how white you want it.

[fineedge]

I hand finish the length needed before cutting the frame ( not mad about overlapping paint at the mitre joint) I use a good PVA applied with dense sponge working fairly quickly but as evenly as possible. If necessary apply second or third or fourth coat depending on the whiteness needed. When dry I apply a coat of poliwax sealer (matt or satin finish - not gloss) with a wad of mutton cloth and allow to dry. Sometimes I add to the dried length a thin wash of umbria or grey , allow to dry then buff off with steel wool to add a slight patina to the grain - gives an interesting bone-like finish.(....and I use disposable latex gloves )

[prospero]

I'd second Gesso's acrylic recomendation.

And finishing the length first is better with a flat finish than (my normal practice) joining the frame first. If you join the frame first, any small oversqueeze of glue will effect the way the paint lies on the surface and can be very noticeable, particularly on a 'wash 'n wipe finish. But I would do the waxing after joining to fill any small gaps and generally blend the corners.

If you do a flat white finish and wipe over with a diluted colour, you can get very subtle tints and highlight the grain if you want.