Applying oil-based paint with a rubber or pad (like you use with shellac)

[Antipodes]

I know conventional wisdom says careful use of a high end brush will get you the best result when using oil-based paint but has anyone here ever tried using a rubber to apply seriously thinned out oils?

I'm contemplating an aluminium window which needs to be done but am thinking beyond that to other restoration or construction projects.

If it works, it could be incredible.

[Blocker]

Should look great after 15 coats..(to acheive the required film build)
Regards,
Blocker:doh:

[Bloss]

:whs: and why - spend money on a good brush, practice your technique and you will get great results.

[Antipodes]

I've got enough patience to do 15 coats....and the reason I'm thinking about it is mainly because I'm really good with a rubber but not very good with a brush. Having tried to work with oil-based paint before, I wasn't very impressed with my own results.

It's a comparatively very small window frame. Anyway, I've just got a small frame I can practice on both with rubber and brush. Was just curious if it would work or not.

[Gaza]

all i know that once we used a soft pad to put on some oil based clear coat and it melted the foam as we were coating.

[Antipodes]

This would be bundles of cotton wool inside a fine linen outer.....no foam would be harmed in the process.....anyway, will try it on my tester window frame and let you know how I get on.

[Gaza]

dump question how to get a stright line when cutting in with a bunched up rag?

on a job last year the painter used a sock on his hand to paint the balustrades,

[Antipodes]

Dunno - haven't tried yet...but probably some equivalent of the sock trick. If it's a small rubber, you should be able to work it into all sorts of shapes. Just trying to figure out if it could work and then give it a shot. If it doesn't work, back to the brush.

[Antipodes]

OK, useless idea. You can't put on consecutive continuous coats. So tried that then.....

[Bloss]

OK, useless idea. You can't put on consecutive continuous coats. So tried that then.....

Ah, yes, that'd one of the reasons for conventional wisdom, eh? :- :wink: No harm in a little experimental proof though - experience is what we call our mistakes . . . so long as we learn from them :)

[Antipodes]

Very occasionally it pays to throw away the rulebook....but usually not so much.