So I foolishly took it upon myself to upcycle an old door to turn into a headboard. #Lockdown Project
I have no prior wood working experience.
So far it's going well, but I am struggling to get the varnish off the door (I've put three different paint strippers on it) and finally most is out now, problem I am having is that getting the crud out of the little valleys (about 1.5cm wide) between each strip.
Finally latched on that using a small thin screwdriver, help to take most of the crud out, but it's in many areas it's really hard to take out.
Initially, the plan was to take the door back to natural wood and then light varnish, but having spent hours looking at it, the new plan is to paint it with one of those chalk paints.
Some advice required from those with experience :-
1.
Is there a way to get rid of all the varnish especially in the valelys or is it even necessary ? I have a fear that it's gonna look lumpy . I am trying to clean up as much possible, but the wood is starting to break up when using wirebrush. I don't have a heat gun which may be a cause of my problem..
I do plan to sand the entire thing down when I sort out valleys once and for all
2. This thing is full of sawdust and bits of gunk. To be sure , the surface is dust free before I put an undercoat, I read tack cloth should be used? Do you think hosing it down, and then letting is dry as a first step before using tack cloth (if I can find in SA) should be used?
3. I removed a strip ,where the two sections meet, sadly there are gaps and it's now 100% aligned. Any recommendations on how to hide it? Was thinking wood filler then sanding. But it not being aligned is a problem? Maybe just another strip.
3. Any comments on using chalk paint with a hard lacquer? Good or bad idea. Was thinking of fired earth or rustoleum ranges.
Alternative is I like the distressed way it looks now ,(or it could by my laziness now) , so may just put an oil over it. And call it. Have to see what the SO says
Thanks
