Well, this time I’m happy with the result, very happy actually, and that’s even though it’s not the smooth white like Ikea furniture, but I had to make some adjustments. I didn’t really know how to fix the paint on this wooden stool, but one thing was certain, I had to sand everything again. So, I started sanding all the rungs, focusing on removing the paint drips that had formed (I’m so glad I painted the wooden stool before gluing it together. Check out how to make this tall wooden stool).
Having to sand the already glued structure would have been much more complicated. To sand, I used the same sandpapers I had used before painting, which you can see in the post sanding and painting the stool.
While sanding, I thought about how to avoid those drips that form when the paint runs and spoil the final result. One of the options I considered was to varnish over the paint. Varnish is easier to apply, and the rungs already had the color I wanted; I just needed to add a bit of shine.
To remove the paint drips, sometimes it’s necessary to insist a bit with the sandpaper, trying not to overdo it so as not to leave the wood bare. Paint drips tend to accumulate in the corners of the slats, and it’s very easy to over-sand there, and of course, I overdid it a couple of times.
Here, I started to dislike this bar-type stool. I would have to touch up the bare areas with some paint, give a light sanding again, and finally varnish. Another option was to remove paint from all the corners of all the slats, creating a worn effect. A bit randomly, removing paint in some areas and leaving it in others, always trying to leave a couple of centimeters from the head of the rung with paint. This was the most convenient option and the one that allowed me to remove the paint drips with fewer complications, and the one I ultimately preferred.
To leave the surface smoother, I polished everything a bit with 000 steel wool. Some time after writing this post, I started experimenting with the paint sprayer and discovered the good finish achieved with it. But here, the only option I had was to repaint the stool.
Still, I didn’t feel like painting or varnishing the wooden stool, and I was already thinking of leaving it for another day. And suddenly, I remembered the can of wax varnish used for parquet. If it can withstand foot traffic, it will withstand the stool. It’s very easy to apply with a sponge and dries in 30 minutes (the only sponge I had on hand was the back of a scouring pad). In an hour and a half, I had applied and dried three coats of wax varnish.
I love the result, and although I don’t know how long this wax varnish will last on the bar stool, I can always apply more when needed, as it’s very easy to apply since it’s a very watery product that we apply with a sponge.
As soon as I edit the video, I’ll upload it. I also have to edit the one related to staining the seat board (I don’t know what to call it; does anyone know the names of the parts of a stool?). Look on this blog to see how I made this stool with DIY tools.
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