Painter's Pyramids Let You Paint Both Sides at Once
These "Painter's Pyramids" are designed to let you paint, stain, or seal one side of a piece of wood while the other dries. The plastic used is supposed to resist paints and varnishes, while the rounded tip isn't supposed to gouge into the wood. I'm a little dubious, but Toolmonger's Stuart Deutsch said he found "much truth in [the] claim" that they work as well as the company says.
I know I do hate finishing wood, which is why all my wood projects end up with streaks and globs born of my impatience. A pack of ten runs $7ish.
Painter’s Pyramid [Toolmonger]
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Finally, modern inventors have discovered the true purpose of the pyramids of ancient Egypt - painting spaceships!
If you're having a hard time getting a consistent finish on raw wood, try changing the finishes you use.
A penetrating oil (i.e. real Tung oil - I use stuff from The Real Milk Paint Co), cut with a natural thinner (i.e. citrus solvent), gives the wood a rich, healthy matte glow without staining it. If the wood needs further protection from water/stains, or you'd simply like a bit of gloss, finish with a coat or two of a natural hard wax (BioShield makes a nice one).
Interesting properties of this combination:
1. Little ventilation is required, unlike many modern finishes.
2. It's actually difficult to end up with streaks & blobs - I'm not sure you could if you tried!
3. Spot-refinishing is possible, unlike with polyurethane (which scuffs/scratches when re-sanding). Simply sand down the damaged area and reapply - great for high-traffic areas on floors or wear-patches on furniture.
The only downside is being patient between oiling and waxing. As you're using two different finishes, you must wait for the oil to dry completely before waxing. However, it's no worse than the recommended drying time between coats of other finishes.
free version from tim @ instrubles
Thanks SMRATALLECK, I was just beginning to sketch ideas on how to make a set myself.
and Joel, if you're too impatient with finishing, and you keep getting globs, I'd recommend rub-on polyurethane. No brushes needed, just a pair of gloves, and a soft cloth. Gives a good finish with no brush marks, no globs, no bristles, etc.
Bonus: they resemble 3D versions of the Illuminati symbol.
Wow, what a great idea! I want! Bravo!
Oh, yes, as with many things in life, rubbing is the only way to go.
When I helped my dad spray finish on doors we would always just put two long screws in the top and bottom of the door and hang it off of the screws on a couple of saw-horses. Unless your terribly tall you would never see the screw holes, plus, you could still move the door before it dries without ruining the finish if you need to.
Why spend $7 when scavenged screws are free?
stuiethegod, you can use these things for painting much more than just doors.