I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
would do.
This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
paint be Ok or something else.
TIA
Ron
Ron Short wrote:
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
I guess it depends upon the prices. Here in CA, maple is EXPENSIVE. I
would probably make it out of douglas fir (Pacific Jummywood) which is
readily available and comparitively inexpensive. Poplar costs more but
may yield a nicer product. Any premium water or oil base primer/enamel
will work well.
mahalo,
jo4hn
If you must paint it, poplar. It's as much a crime in my mind to paint
maple as to stain cherry...
I built a maple rocking cradle for the 1st grandchild. Tho it will only
be used 6-9 months at a time and infrequently, I'll bet that cradle is
still around and being used 3 or 4 generations down the line.
Are you building a utilitarian desk or an heirloom? Your decision.
Heck my kids want new cars too but......... I suggest you use maple and give
it a nice stain or clear finish. If you do a good job she will love it,
especially when she gets near college age. You know how kids are..... two
weeks later and she will say that she wished it was painted blue. Put some
cool picture frames and dodads on it and she will be totally happy. Take
charge Dad.
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
>
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
>
Ron,
It's your daughter.....use the maple so you don't 2nd guess yourself. Of
course you could put a plexiglass or plastic top over the wood (either one)
for protection and better writeability (new word?). If you did that I guess
it wouldn't matter as much which wood was used.
Can't help you on the paint. :-(
Bryan
I'd go ahead and make it out of the Maple. I would think about using a
clear poly finish and then give it to her. She will love it either way, and
much later, when she says to her daughter, "Grandpa and I made this when I
was your age." she will appreaciate it more.
Dave
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
>
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
It is a toss up. If you are using Hard maple it will hold up better against
dents and dings. Soft Maple will not be quite as tough. The Poplar will
easily take dings. Either will hold up through college but a Hard Maple
desk will should hod up for a very lont time.
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
Spend the money on a premium quality Alkyd Oil Based Paint.
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
I don't know if you are using hard maple or soft maple, or if it has any
figure. If it's soft maple, I'd use it (almost the same price as poplar
here). It it's hard maple, I'd toss a coin. If it's maple with any
figure, I'd save it for another project.
A while back I made a little box out of scrap walnut and maple with and for
my 6yr old son. He insisted that we paint it with a schoolbus yellow
lacquer. Kind of killed me at the time to paint over it, but in retrospect
I'm glad I did because now it's "his" project and it is prized by him.
I bet it will mean a lot to your daughter if you let her make the design
calls.
Use the poplar...........Its easy to work with and its one of the best woods
to take paint!
Dom
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
>
Since she wants to help I would have her try a few different finishes
on small pieces of maple and have her see for herself what the
possibilities are; girls tend to know whats to their taste and/or
is fashionable in my experience ;-).
If she is stuck on white then go with the poplar or good quality
plywood.
Ron Short wrote:
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
>
....
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
Maple. The cost of material is minimal next to your labor, and then maybe
it will be around for your daughter to give to her daughter. *That* would be
worth the extra $.
I have used poplar, but have gone to all maple for "white-painted" stuff.
Go with an oil (alkyd) based paint.
-Steve
I just finished a play kitchen for my daughter out of poplar (design stolen
from pottery barn catalog). It was my first time using poplar and it was
very easy to work with, cut, sand, rout, etc.
Sanded, spray-primed, sanded, spray-primed, sanded, brush painted. The
finish came out great, smooth as glass. I sprayed Benjamin Moore 100%
acrylic all-purpose primer with an automotive type sprayer, no thinning.
finished it off with Benjamin Moore semi-gloss latex paint. While the
surface is smooth and looks great I doubt it would hold up well on a desk
that will be subjected to pens and pencils at a minimum.
Never used an HVLP sprayer but the next time I paint a project I will
definitely get one, the automotive sprayers have a ton of overspray.
--
Too much is not enough!
Ray
rvojtash NOT THIS ATcomcast DOT net
"Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
> going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
> I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
> paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
> going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
> since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
> course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
> would do.
>
> This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
> college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
> abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
> Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
> paint be Ok or something else.
>
> TIA
>
> Ron
>
SonomaProducts.com wrote:
> I wouldn't waste Maple under paint....ever. Of course
> that's just my opinion.
You guys who would never "waste" wood under paint have never seen paint
grade woods? <G>
Not every board of every species has beautiful attributes. Lower grades
can often be had at considerable discounts to FAS. These grades often
really don't look all that hot with a clear finish, but retain the solid
feel and durability of the species.
The "feel" that a painted maple or birch part has is very noticeable to
me over poplar, pine, fir, etc... This is especially true for moving
parts, like doors and drawer fronts, but is still noticeable when
touching fixed parts.
Barry
Save the maple for another project. Popular takes paint exceptionally
well, better than maple. Use a bare-wood primer and enamel. I'd
probably use oil-based or a gloss trim paint. Allow the piece to cure
3-4 weeks, then you can apply a wax & buff before using.
On 21 Jan 2005 07:18:01 -0800, "Ron Short" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
>going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
>I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
>paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
>going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
>since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
>course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
>would do.
>
>This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
>college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
>abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
>Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
>paint be Ok or something else.
>
>TIA
>
>Ron
On 21 Jan 2005 07:18:01 -0800, "Ron Short" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm finally ready to start making my daughter's desk, she's 8 and is
>going to "help". She stated this week that she wanted it painted white.
>I already bought all the maple and it seems a shame to cover it up with
>paint. I was thinking about making it out of poplar now since it's
>going to be painted. My question is do I make it out of maple anyway
>since it will be much more durable or go with poplar to save money. Of
>course you can't answer this for me but I'm curious what you think you
>would do.
>
>This is a small student's desk that I hope my daughter uses until
>college. She lives with me part time so it wont get a whole lot of
>abuse. She'll have a computer on it and maybe do some homework there.
>
>Also, what kind of paint would be good. Would a standard enamel wall
>paint be Ok or something else.
I dunno, but if you seal it with some coats of clear finish before
painting, might it be easier to strip later on (even though maple does have
tight grain, anyway)? That way, if she insists on paint and some time
later she says those magic words, "Yunno, Dad, I think you were right," it
will be easier to remedy. FWIW. -- Igor