Do you remember the rocking chair makeover I did for my mom’s cousin Kay Lee? While visiting with Kay, she generously offered me this gossip bench:
She had redone it, and had done a great job on it. However, I thought it was ready for a new look.
Can you believe that “back in the day” we had to actually be tied down to a phone and phone cord?
I was contacted recently by some very nice people at HomeRight, a company that has a lot of great painting gadgets. When asked if I wanted to try Command Max, their fine finish sprayer, I was all for it.
It is an HVLP sprayer, but unlike my Harbor Freight HVLP, theHomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
Because I do a lot of “spraying” I keep some filters handy. Anytime I paint with a can of paint that has previously been opened, I always strain my paint.
I keep a bucket of water handy for thinning paint and I immediately place the filter in the bucket of water while I spray paint. (for ease of cleaning)
I gave the gossip bench a quick coat of gray primer.
I always make sure to get the underside. Do you know how embarrassing it is when someone buys a piece and goes to load it in their car, only to expose the ugly underside that wasn’t painted?
After I applied the primer, I cleaned the sprayer. It was a little challenging the first time.
On to the next coat. You can see that I use an old ladle to spoon out my paint. It’s much easier than pouring the paint.
It’s hard to see, but I have about 1/3 of the paint cup full.
I started spraying. The HomeRight Command Max is adjustable to the amount that flows out, in addition to the multi-directional spraying. I took this picture so you can see how little over spray there is.
I did get it a little thick in a couple of places. I thought I was going to have to sand it back, but it really did dry okay.
This is after one coat.
You can see it’s a little thin in places. I spray in an enclosed carport where there is not enough daylight, so it’s difficult for these old eyes to see the thin places until I bring it out into the sunshine.
But, honestly I’d rather paint two light coats than one heavy coat.
After the second coat dried, I sanded the edges a little.
I used some wipe-on poly to give it a little protection.
I used my very favorite fabric (drop cloth) to cover the seat.
I love this little lady!
Know what else I love? My new sprayer!
Pros:
Ease of use (very easy to learn to use)
Ease of cleaning-seriously after the first time cleaning it, I became a pro! So quick, and really the only thing that needs cleaning is the paint cup, the tube, and the brass nozzle.
Lack of over spray (therefore using very little paint)
Lack of heavy odor (always use a respirator)
Ability to use the sprayer down to almost the very last drop. (I literally only had a couple of tablespoons of paint left in the bottom of the cup with no spitting or spattering)
ELECTRIC! ! ! I don’t have to wait for my compressor to play catch up.
Cons:
Average size paint cup, large jobs would need to be refilled. (however remember I only used 1/3 of the cup for this project)
Electric-I had a hard time keeping it plugged in to my extension cord. (minor inconvenience) I need to learn how to do that loopy de loop that contractors use)
UPDATED TO ADD: I have used this sprayer for a couple of years now, and I still LOVE it. It’s definitely one of my top five tools!
This will definitely be my “go to” sprayer, I think I’m in love!
gail
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Sue Z. says
June 8, 2014 at 1:52 pmI know this is an old(er) post but Gail, I’m in love with that gossip bench! My mother had one, not sure where it ended up. I can remember the long conversations…stuck in that seat. And at the time, we thought nothing of it!
Would be next to impossible to find another one that doesn’t have a hefty price tag on it – most people here in Oz (Kansas) are hip to the recycle way of life and even old junkie pieces of furniture are considered “gold”.
I DO have my mother’s old dresser – and someday when I can afford a small expense of a homeright sprayer…it will be upcycled and look Maaaahvelous!
I Play Outside The Box says
January 5, 2012 at 9:33 pmLOVE IT!! Yes…that was hollering! Pinned it on my Pinterest!
My Indulgences says
December 9, 2011 at 3:30 pmGail… I’m so glad I stumbled onto this post. I’ve been wanting a paint sprayer and this looks like the perfect match. I do have a question, though and hope you can get back to me (Christmas is just around the corner LOL).
Do you HAVE to thin the paint when you use a sprayer or do you just prefer to? Can you only use water based paints? And, lastly, if you have to thin the paint, how do you know how much to thin it by?
Obviously I’m clueless, but would really appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks again,
Lora
Tristan! says
October 13, 2011 at 1:56 amThis is an awesome project! I love how unusual a piece of furniture it is nowadays!
Toqua's Crafts says
October 12, 2011 at 5:09 amThe bench is boo-tiful!!
I’m glad you enjoyed using your new toy!
Suzanne@Meridian Road says
October 12, 2011 at 3:15 amWow~that is cool! And electric would be perfect for me since I don’t have a compressor.
The bench looks great! I’ve never thought about painting the underneath, but I’ll be doing that from now on!
I do remember being tied down to a phone with a cord. 🙂 I used to stretch the cord as far as it would go and sit on the laundry room floor to talk.
tracie says
October 12, 2011 at 12:40 amlooks great!
Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says
October 11, 2011 at 8:55 pmGreat job Gail! And you’re right, I can’t imagine being tied down to a phone plugged into the wall! The paint sprayer seems like it was fairly easy to use and a great help in the speeding up the time it would take to complete a project like this!
subtle magnetism says
October 11, 2011 at 7:51 pmI think it looks great, and the sprayer seemed to work really well for you. I’m always afraid to buy a sprayer after all the mixed reviews one reads on blogs and amazon and hope depot, etc. But this one seems relatively simple! Nice. I think they’re all a pain in the patooty to clean after.
Kathya says
October 11, 2011 at 7:15 pmI LOVE how it turned out!!! Beautiful job! I so desperately want a sprayer for my furniture refinishing. I might just get that nifty sprayer you’ve shared. Thanks for the overview!
Stephanie says
October 11, 2011 at 7:09 pmNow this is a GREAT review! I love the idea that it is electric. The noise of an air compressor is obnoxious and they are heavy to haul. I am a stickler about finishing all sides, really bugs me when I buy something and they didn’t take the time to finish it all. I think your should stencil “gossip” on the seat cushion 🙂
Crafty Mischief says
October 11, 2011 at 4:44 pmWow! This is great! My grandma used to have a bench like this. I wonder what happened to it. I would love to give it a makeover! Thanks for the inspiration!
Sandi @ The Primitive Skate says
October 11, 2011 at 3:47 pmOh it turned out so Beautiful! Awesome job Gail!
Cath says
October 11, 2011 at 2:23 pmOh wow Gail the bench looks great! I really like the clean lines and the fabric does not distract from the detail in the seat back.
This sprayer sounds like a dream come true. We have the mondo sprayer with the compressor, etc. It is a major project just getting the sprayer set up never mind the actual spraying. This sprayer would be the best.
I keep cords from separating using the good-ole Girl Scout square knot: right over left, then left over right.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
October 11, 2011 at 1:11 pmthat looks gorgeous! i love wipe on poly over blac- so sleek! and i am curious about the noise as well.
Korrie@RedHenHome says
October 11, 2011 at 12:52 pmI love the gossip bench, Gail, and the paint sprayer sounds like a winner! How noisy was it, compared to listening to your air compressor?
Who "NEW" Creations says
October 11, 2011 at 12:44 pmAdorable little gossip bench. Another successful project.
Terri says
October 11, 2011 at 12:27 pmThis is so exciting…I love gadgets and I still haven’t purchased a sprayer for my air compressor yet. I have to say, I had a Wagner and it was a nightmare for me…have you ever used a Wagner, is there any comparison?
I love this little bench, it turned out darling. We had a very similar one in my house growing up…can’t imagine it now! Seriously? Who sits in one spot and talks on the phone anymore?
I do have a question about the primer…do you thin that as well before spraying? It just seems so thick in the can, I am guessing you must!
Susan says
October 11, 2011 at 11:28 amWhat a nice job you did on this gossip chair!! It is beautiful!
Dawn says
October 11, 2011 at 11:27 amHoly moly, I think I’m in love too. I hate, hate, hate the compressor, so I always balk at paint sprayers – this think could change my entire existence!!! 😀
I Play Outside The Box says
October 11, 2011 at 11:02 amThe bench turned out beautiful…love the color! That looks like a nice sprayer and one less ‘appliance’ you need in order to use it. Sounds great!
Here’s a link on how to chain electrical cords…easy peasy.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-lock-and-prevent-extension-cord-from-unplugging-329697/
Sharon says
October 11, 2011 at 10:47 amThe bench is beautiful.
Thanks for the review on this sprayer. Im still in the market for one. And have watched all your reviews. I love that this one is smaller and it dont have a lot of overspray.
As for the cord. What I do is take both cord ends and tie in a knot like you do your shoe string. And then plug ends together. The more you pull on the cord the tighter it gets and never unplugs.
Sharon
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic says
October 11, 2011 at 10:25 amThat came out so pretty! Looks like that sprayer is a little simpler than some i’ve seen. I’ll be back later to see what you’re giving away. (dare I hope?)
Proper Prim says
October 11, 2011 at 10:13 amThanks for posting this Gail. Now that I have the Habor Freight one and Mr. D. just brought me a Wagner Power Sprayer (an old one he had)… that sucker is heavy though.
I really like the look of this one, not so bulky. You did a great job on that bench… love the new look.
Hmmmm, wonder what the give away might be?
Have a great day Gail.
Hugs, Deb
aimee says
October 11, 2011 at 9:05 amYou have done a fab job it looks great. great tutorial xxx