Painting a strip

[gmhill33]

Painting a stripe

UGreetings,

I am in need of expert advice and there are plenty of you here.

I am wanting to paint the inside of my garage. 4' black with a 6" or 8" orange stripe. How do I get the lines nice and straight and which do I paint first, the orange or the black?

Another question. I bought some cabinets from Home Pot that are unfinished. Can you paint them and make them look good or are they better stained?

Thanks,
Gary

 

[rburke65]

I think you can do a "search " ......top of this page....in the header..... For that subject. I know its been talked about a lot of times. Laser level probably....good luck.

 

[akdiesel]

For the painting my wife gave me this info from her painting skills.
Put the tape on where you want your lines and then use a clear on the edge of the tape. This will lock in the edges of the tape to stop bleed through.
Careful removing the tape in that it may peel the the new paint off. Try to use the same type of paint (water or ail based) that was used on the wall originally.

 

[HMCFab9]

Those look like nice cabinets made out of decent wood. I'd stain & varnish them.
A rotating laser lever will get your stripes level.

 

[efncrx]

Nice little shop you have there Gary!

Have you considered a wallpaper stripe? Seems a little easier than watching paint dry and hoping it doesn't bleed through the tape or peel off with it! Seems cheap and the same overall look!

 

[JimVonBaden]

For the painting my wife gave me this info from her painting skills.
Put the tape on where you want your lines and then use a clear on the edge of the tape. This will lock in the edges of the tape to stop bleed through.
Careful removing the tape in that it may peel the the new paint off. Try to use the same type of paint (water or ail based) that was used on the wall originally.

Instead of clear use the base color, or background color, first, then the stripe color. No bleed that way.

 

[Modern Jess]

When I first bought my house, I treated myself to a DeWalt laser level, reasoning that as a homeowner I would almost certainly find a use for it. I have ended up using that thing so many times in so many ways that I can't even imagine how I would get along without it.

In the case of stripes in a room, here's something that a laser level can do that would be a challenge with a regular bubble level: set up the laser to be even with a reference mark on one wall, then swivel it around on the tripod to set a matching level mark on the opposite wall. You could simply measure up from the floor, but that assumes the floor is perfectly level (hint: it isn't).

For me, this was money well spent.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BK32EA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think you can do a "search " ......top of this page....in the header..... For that subject. I know its been talked about a lot of times. Laser level probably....good luck.

When you do your search, you may have better luck using the word, "stripe" instead of strip.

One member, I forget who, wrote up a good post on the subject.

 

[JimVonBaden]

When I first bought my house, I treated myself to a DeWalt laser level, reasoning that as a homeowner I would almost certainly find a use for it. I have ended up using that thing so many times in so many ways that I can't even imagine how I would get along without it.

In the case of stripes in a room, here's something that a laser level can do that would be a challenge with a regular bubble level: set up the laser to be even with a reference mark on one wall, then swivel it around on the tripod to set a matching level mark on the opposite wall. You could simply measure up from the floor, but that assumes the floor is perfectly level (hint: it isn't).

For me, this was money well spent.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BK32EA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

There is a perfectly adequate one at HF for $30 on sale. If you are going to use it rarely it is not worth the big price tag of a name brand. IMHO

 

[MarkG]

Instead of clear use the base color, or background color, first, then the stripe color. No bleed that way.

Yep---do what Jim said.

I've done some sign stuff this same way at my shop and it works great if done right. I'm not sure I understand your stripe layout-----is the orange stripe inside the black area, or are the 2 side by side? The way it's described, it sounds like the orange is within the black stripe, so that's how I'm describing the process. In any case, the following technique can be used----adjust to suit your stripes!

Just to expand on this technique: Mask stripe #1 with good tape. Paint along the edges with the existing wall color---this is the key to this technique. Any 'bleed' will not show since it's the same color, and after it's dry, the edge will be totally sealed! After it's dry, paint your stripe color and peel tape off at a steep angle (on itself) while the paint is still wet.

This is the basic 'trick'---adjust and repeat to suit your design.

Good Luck!

 

[Modern Jess]

There is a perfectly adequate one at HF for $30 on sale. If you are going to use it rarely it is not worth the big price tag of a name brand. IMHO

True, though "laser level" is probably too vague of a term here, so I'll be more specific for the OP's benefit. Ideally, what is needed is a horizontal line or (better) a cross-line laser level. One that is self-leveling is much easier to work with as well.

Here's an example of where a cross-line laser level is particularly useful:

 

[gmhill33]

I think you can do a "search " ......top of this page....in the header..... For that subject. I know its been talked about a lot of times. Laser level probably....good luck.

Thanks for the info, I'll try the search.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

Those look like nice cabinets made out of decent wood. I'd stain & varnish them.
A rotating laser lever will get your stripes level.

That was my original plan before I thought about doing the "Harley" theme.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

Nice little shop you have there Gary!

Have you considered a wallpaper stripe? Seems a little easier than watching paint dry and hoping it doesn't bleed through the tape or peel off with it! Seems cheap and the same overall look!

Never thought about wallpaper. I have seen some photos on here that have the black and orange paint job and thought it looked nice. I have a Harley and a few little signs, more to come though, so I thought I go with the "Harley" theme look.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

Instead of clear use the base color, or background color, first, then the stripe color. No bleed that way.

That is what I heard one time but wasn't sure if it was the base or the black. Makes sense now that I think about it.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

When I first bought my house, I treated myself to a DeWalt laser level, reasoning that as a homeowner I would almost certainly find a use for it. I have ended up using that thing so many times in so many ways that I can't even imagine how I would get along without it.

In the case of stripes in a room, here's something that a laser level can do that would be a challenge with a regular bubble level: set up the laser to be even with a reference mark on one wall, then swivel it around on the tripod to set a matching level mark on the opposite wall. You could simply measure up from the floor, but that assumes the floor is perfectly level (hint: it isn't).

For me, this was money well spent.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BK32EA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

There is a perfectly adequate one at HF for $30 on sale. If you are going to use it rarely it is not worth the big price tag of a name brand. IMHO

A friend of mine has one I can use.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

When you do your search, you may have better luck using the word, "stripe" instead of strip.

One member, I forget who, wrote up a good post on the subject.

Thanks for pointing out that I forgot the "e". I fixed it in the original post.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

Yep---do what Jim said.

I've done some sign stuff this same way at my shop and it works great if done right. I'm not sure I understand your stripe layout-----is the orange stripe inside the black area, or are the 2 side by side? The way it's described, it sounds like the orange is within the black stripe, so that's how I'm describing the process. In any case, the following technique can be used----adjust to suit your stripes!

Just to expand on this technique: Mask stripe #1 with good tape. Paint along the edges with the existing wall color---this is the key to this technique. Any 'bleed' will not show since it's the same color, and after it's dry, the edge will be totally sealed! After it's dry, paint your stripe color and peel tape off at a steep angle (on itself) while the paint is still wet.

This is the basic 'trick'---adjust and repeat to suit your design.

Good Luck!

The bottom 4' of the wall will be black. Above that will be a 8" orange strip and the rest of the wall will be either a light gray or white. A Harley theme look is what I am trying to accomplish. That for the reply and info.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

True, though "laser level" is probably too vague of a term here, so I'll be more specific for the OP's benefit. Ideally, what is needed is a horizontal line or (better) a cross-line laser level. One that is self-leveling is much easier to work with as well.

Here's an example of where a cross-line laser level is particularly useful:

A friend of mine has one with a tri-pod that I can borrow, I think I'm going that route. Thanks for the info.

Gary

 

[MarkG]

The bottom 4' of the wall will be black. Above that will be a 8" orange strip and the rest of the wall will be either a light gray or white. A Harley theme look is what I am trying to accomplish. That for the reply and info.

Gary

You probably saw this stuff already then:

http://hdmuseum.artehouse.com/perl/collection.pl?seeAllImages=1&productTypeID=60&collectionID=0

Might be cool to incorporate one into your design, although, being a signpainter, I'd have to have a huge, painted logo on one wall, at least!

 

[nolimits76]

I'd paint the cabinets myself. To me varnished cabinets look too much like kitchen cabinets in a garage. Pure personal preference though.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words....borrowed from Frog Tape website.

General Technique for Ensuring Clear, Crisp Lines:
http://player.vimeo.com/video/69620943

Overview of Stripe Layout, Etc. (be sure to watch other video to ensure crisp lines):
http://player.vimeo.com/video/66731236

 

[gmhill33]

You probably saw this stuff already then:

http://hdmuseum.artehouse.com/perl/collection.pl?seeAllImages=1&productTypeID=60&collectionID=0

Might be cool to incorporate one into your design, although, being a signpainter, I'd have to have a huge, painted logo on one wall, at least!

No I haven't seen that before. Some nice stuff there. I'd love to have a sign painted but I can't even figure out the stripe.

Gary

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have done this before in my buddies basement. Apply your base and let it dry for a few days. Use blue painters tape and make sure you push the edges down well. When you paint the stripe use a brush for the edges near the tape. DON'T use a lot of paint the brush. Use very little and lightly paint the edges then roll the middle. Take the tape up right away before the paint dries. I will see my friend later and see if he has a pic on his phone. It came out perfect except one small spot he caught with his finger that we touched up free hand.

 

[nolimits76]

No I haven't seen that before. Some nice stuff there. I'd love to have a sign painted but I can't even figure out the stripe.

Gary

You can always add these later if you want. Do a search on ebay for vinyl signs or murals and put Harley in your search line. You will get lots of results, and much cheaper than some of the other sites.

 

[gmhill33]

I'd paint the cabinets myself. To me varnished cabinets look too much like kitchen cabinets in a garage. Pure personal preference though.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words....borrowed from Frog Tape website.

General Technique for Ensuring Clear, Crisp Lines:
http://player.vimeo.com/video/69620943

Overview of Stripe Layout, Etc. (be sure to watch other video to ensure crisp lines):
http://player.vimeo.com/video/66731236

Thanks for the info.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

I have done this before in my buddies basement. Apply your base and let it dry for a few days. Use blue painters tape and make sure you push the edges down well. When you paint the stripe use a brush for the edges near the tape. DON'T use a lot of paint the brush. Use very little and lightly paint the edges then roll the middle. Take the tape up right away before the paint dries. I will see my friend later and see if he has a pic on his phone. It came out perfect except one small spot he caught with his finger that we touched up free hand.

Thanks for the info.

Gary

 

[gmhill33]

You can always add these later if you want. Do a search on ebay for vinyl signs or murals and put Harley in your search line. You will get lots of results, and much cheaper than some of the other sites.

I'll be doing a search when I'm done with the painting.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[John in OH]

I used the technique offered and described by another GJ member to paint the green stripe around my shop. Take a look at my build thread, posts #111 through 116 for the steps I followed:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98038&page=6

I'm VERY pleased with the outcome!