12 replies to this topic

[Smerc]

Hey all. I am wanting to build a computer desk, but wasn't sure what paint would best produce a good Flat or Satin Black finish.

Was curious if anyone has ever painted their desk in either satin or flat black.
The wood I would be using is just regular birch plywood.


I was tied between using either of the two below, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

1. Minwax PolyShades - Classic Black Satin Stain and Polyurethane ( http://www.homedepot...catalogId=10053 )
2. Rust-Oleum - Painter's Touch Flat Black General Purpose Paint ( http://www.homedepot...catalogId=10053 )

The two above state that no primer is required. I'm ignorantly stupidly braindead when it comes to painting. So I'm not sure if using a primer helps much on wood as long as it sticks.


Thanks for any suggestions.

[Stonerboy779]

I would use flat if you want it easier to keep clean. Satin for amazing looks or do what I would do and make an inlay with black vinyl that's a faux leather. It's cheap easy to use and glued down to a thin piece of mdf and inlayed into a table it makes an excellent surface to work on.

What kind of wood do you have? And how much have you sanded it back?
,edit: missed it at first, just ply well a primer would be best after a good sand down. Otherwise just lots of coats of paint.

Edited by Stonerboy779, 09 May 2012 - 12:43 PM.

[Smerc]

I would use flat if you want it easier to keep clean. Satin for amazing looks or do what I would do and make an inlay with black vinyl that's a faux leather. It's cheap easy to use and glued down to a thin piece of mdf and inlayed into a table it makes an excellent surface to work on.

What kind of wood do you have? And how much have you sanded it back?
,edit: missed it at first, just ply well a primer would be best after a good sand down. Otherwise just lots of coats of paint.

I don't have any wood yet, but I plan on getting birch plywood.

This is the type of finish I was looking for:

[Stonerboy779]

Satin is what you want. Bare in mind the edge of ply looks sh¡t you may want to consider some edging for it.

I would recommend t-mould you will however need a router and the appropriate bit to cut the channel for the t-mould.

[sword_fish]

i'm with Stoner for the satin finish and T-mould/edging.

anyways, i've seen these furniture makers made it with the Duco paint. such a tedious/long process of painting but the best approach for furniture imo.

since you're making the desk from scratch, i highly recommend the Duco if you could find/pay someone else who can do it for you since you had told you're lost with paints.
but you can achieve that finish (not close enough tho) with a nice paint roller instead of the paint brush. the latter leaves you those obvious streaks with your finish.

[Waco]

Rhino liner makes a great coating if you want your desk to last FOREVER.

[SpikeSoprano]

the minwax you chose will give a nice durable finish and you can buy the birch edgeing for the rough cuts at any home depot, it is self adhesive , you put it on before you paint and it will have the same finish as the flat surfaces. I use it on cabinets and dose a very nice job.

[sword_fish]

Rhino liner makes a great coating if you want your desk to last FOREVER.

that would be one hell of a desk then

btw, i'll share some pics what i did with my desk.
i found this thrift shop where i bought it second hand that cheap.

before:



i had second thoughts of re-painting it cause i might be screwed dealing with it's formica finish.
decided to clad it with carbon fiber vinyl sticker instead;







i like how it looks somehow

Edited by sword_fish, 09 May 2012 - 07:49 PM.

[Waco]

That actually looks pretty nice!

[Stonerboy779]

How does the carbon fiber vinyl wrap feel for writing on? How well does it work as a mouse surface?

Because that looks great swordfish.

[sword_fish]

writing over it seems fine, bit bumpy with thin papers but not an issue tho.
mouse can glide with ease too.

thanks for the compliments

[Waco]

I bet the texture makes your mouse track quite nicely!