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Painting door method

cargin | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 2, 2008 03:25am

All <!—-><!—-><!—->

We are remodeling our maid’s hall/stairway. It has 5 doors all of different heights. Some are painted both sides, some are stained one side/painted the other.<!—-><!—->

I was struggling on how to get them painted. I removed the doors and took them to the shop for the sanding, and because space is tight in the hallway.<!—-><!—->

Usually we suspend a door between 2 sawhorses and spray them flat. But how do you do 5 doors in our limited shop, all with different hieghts?

Here is what I came up with. We use 22″ planks for scaffolding (2×4 stood upright covered with 1/2″ ply). I screwed a 12′ long plank to one saw horse and a 12′ long 2×6 to another. <!—-><!—->

Then I ripped OSB to 5″ wide x 32″ long. We screwed the OSB into the end of each door, spaced out by a 1/2″ nut.<!—-><!—->

The 22″ plank gave us lots of space to set the OSB spacers on one side and the 2×6 on the other.<!—-><!—->

The 5″ OSB allowed us to stand the doors upright for storage and for spraying. Applying primer, sanding, and 2 finish coats means alot of handling and moving. The standing up right was a blessing in a crowded shop.

I sprayed them standing upright on the sawhorse/plank and then laid them down. <!—-><!—->

I hope the pictures will tell the story better than I did. I hope helps someone else in a similar situation.<!—-> <!—->

Rich <!—-><!—->

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Replies

  1. DougU | Mar 02, 2008 03:33am | #1

    Rich

    Good tip but; We are remodeling our maid's hall/stairway

    you can afford a maid you can afford to hire it out!

    Doug

    1. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 05:58am | #2

      Doug

      I just do DIY projects so the neighbors don't realize how wealthy I am.

      Don't worry our maid is legally in the country.

      Rich

    2. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 06:00am | #3

      Doug

      Our house has a back set of stairs to the kitchen.

      It was clearly set up so the back two room upstairs and the kitchen were connected and there are doors to isolate the main house from the "maid's area".

      The couple who built our house didn't have any children either.

      Rich

    3. User avater
      JDRHI | Mar 02, 2008 06:23am | #4

      LOL....I was thinkin' the same.

      Or at least a larger shop.

      Beware the bikini clad female.

      She may be interpreted as offensive.

       

       

  2. craigf | Mar 02, 2008 06:23am | #5

    Thanks for posting that. Great idea!

    1. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 06:37am | #6

      Craig

      We have  stained, varnished and painted alot of doors standing upright, by attaching them to the ceiling. But you always run the risk of a run, especially when we have to spray into a corner from two directions.

      So lately we have been spraying them flat with 1x4s attached to the ends with spacers.

      The wider OSB spacer allowed me to stand them on their side for spraying or for storage.

      My son helped me with the primer. We sprayed a door then moved it to the end.

      He was gone when I wanted to spray the finish coat. I was able to spray it by myself and do all the door flipping by just handling the OSB. Just make sure it over hangs the door by about 2".

      How's Kansas. Have you had work this winter? We are doing home improvement projects because we are almost out of work. I can't complain because we have been busy enough throught the winter.

      Are you ready for the summer with a new business plan? Or new attitude?

      Good to hear from you again

      Rich 

      1. craigf | Mar 02, 2008 09:26am | #7

        Things are good. The farmers have some moisture and better grain prices than anybody has ever seen. If the hot streak lasts, there will be a lot of pent-up demand for home improvement.I've started tracking my time a little better. I found where I was blowing bids was not allowing enough for protecting surfaces, clean-up etc. I think I can make sure I charge for it and use it as a selling point- "Yes, I'm higher in my bid, but I'll contain dust, protect your floor and not leave a mess."A Cabinetmaker buddy who was tired of the City moved back home. Many of his customers need some sort remodeling done with their new cabinets. I am changing my customer base somewhat because of it. It's working well. I'm getting good rep in a new crowd.Thanks to your thread, I am being more systematic about bidding and sticking to what I need to charge.This last week I picked up a customer who T&M will work perfectly for. Thanks to many on this forum, I know how to work that a little better.In general, because of tips from here, I am doing things in a more business-like manner which puts me ahead of the competition.Sorry things have slowed for you. Hopefully, a little good weather will bring people out of hibernation and calling you.Good hearing from you.

        1. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 03:48pm | #8

          Craig

          I truly enjoy what I do. Yeah I get uptight about time vs money ( always a meter running in my head of how much time we have for this job). And some days are better than others.

          But I am determined to run the business more profitably from here on out.

          I've spent 25+ years aquiring the skills to solve these peoples problems and I think a guy should be able to make a nice living and put some money aside for retirement.

          Good to hear it is going well in Kansas. I have heard that wheat prices are through the roof. Same with corn and beans up here. My Mom sold beans for $12/bu twice as high as a normal high.

          Our local industry Wells Blue Bunny is having trouble and they are trying to right the ship. They have a good man at the helm so that helps.

          The city, the county and the school all have budget shortfalls. But I always do the mundane home improvements that people need to have done, not the "I Have a Dream" projects. So this will still be a good year. I have more lined up for the summer than I usually do.

          Rich 

          1. craigf | Mar 02, 2008 05:45pm | #9

            I know exactly what you mean about enjoyment vs. the meter. It's nice to do your own project and just relax and enjoy.Hope you have the most profitable summer ever.

          2. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 05:53pm | #10

            Craig

            Hope you have the most profitable summer ever.

            You too.

            Keep up the good business practice.

            Got to get Tim up and go to church.

            Tim is home for the weekend.

            Rich

  3. ponytl | Mar 02, 2008 06:00pm | #11

    thanks for the pics and the tip...  i love simple stuff that with one picture you know exactly how to do it... and know it will work and solve a problem...

    thanks for the great tip... i'll file in "i know i'll use that"

    p

    1. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 06:40pm | #12

      ponytl

      I had used all these concepts before. The nuts, the parrellel saw horses with a 2x 6 screwed to it. But I was stymied by the different heights of the doors and my lack of enough 1x4s on hand.

      It was one of those "I can't see the solution even though it is staring straight at me" moments.

      The wider OSB was an accident, but one I will repeat.

      Next time I use my drying racks I will take a picture. Another one of those DUH moments where the solution was simple, my thinking just got in the way.

      Rich 

  4. MSA1 | Mar 02, 2008 07:04pm | #13

    You're almost there. Take those door and stand them up on the attachments you've already attached. Then place the doors bi fold style ///// and tack them together on top so they dont fall.

    The reason I suggest this is that I always get runs on the edges when I lay a door down to paint it.

    1. cargin | Mar 02, 2008 09:16pm | #14

      MSA1

      I'll try that sometime.

      With these I brushed the edges 1st then sprayed the face, flipped it over and did it again.

      We used SW Pro classic Acrylic and it is very prone to running.

      Rich

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