(no subject)

[rivka]

In every relationship, sometimes you say things that you wish you could take back. Maybe they sounded innocent in your head, or maybe you knew you were treading on dangerous ground but couldn't quite imagine how much trouble you were about to get into. Then the words are out. You can never snatch them back.

The struggle, desperation, misery, aching, pain, and regret that follow are the price you pay for your unguarded tongue.

What was I thinking? But it's too late to focus on that now.

I said "Hey, why don't we paint the bathroom this weekend?" and now I'm stuck with "Hey, why don't we paint the bathroom this weekend."

May God have mercy on my poor solvent-addled soul.

Comments

[curiousangel.livejournal.com]

We're using a solvent-based stripper, as that was what the HD guy recommended. I'm taking a break after 45 minutes of vigorous scraping to try to get some of this crap off, and it's slow going. It doesn't help that the little spray bottle that came with the stripper is about as effective at spraying as it would be if I just spit on the surface instead.

I thought this project was going to go a little faster than it actually is (I know, I know -- Home Improvement Rule 1: Everything Costs More and Takes Longer), so I'm going to have to do the ceiling later this week. I'm thinking of going for a citrus-based product that I can get in spray cans. That's going to be a pigfucker of a job there.

We've got lead-paint-removal respirators, but they don't come with cartridges. The lead-paint problem is the reason we're going with stripping the whole damn thing.

I'm sure you can sympathize with my level of general frustration right now. Still, the advice is certainly welcome. Thank you.

Grrrr. Arrrggh.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

The solvent-based stuff works pretty well on alkyd or oil-based paints, but loses IMO on latex or really-old paint. Citrus comes in spray cans, works in an hour or two, works great on latex, mediocre on oil-based. Sometimes it helps to alternate applications... and you'll probably need multiple applications anyway.

And it hardly ever comes off completely... then sanding is needed. Sigh.

The kind of respirator I'm thinking of is a hard plastic mask with a rubber skin-seal, and accommodates one or two filter cartridges (the solvent cartridge also handles dust). Basically an industrial low-end unit. I use one for painting, staining, stripping, etc., or when patgreene paints her toenails.

Ceiling suggestion: I've tried several approaches, and they all suck. Sandblasting has a strange appeal, after awhile. The least bad approach that I've found: Get wide strips of shelf paper, non-adhesive. Ladle paste-stripper on one side, and carefully apply the wet side to the ceiling. Secure it with pushpins, thumbtacks or small nails. Remove it the next day, or before the paste hardens. Sometimes the paint will stick to the shelf paper when you peel it off, otherwise scrape, reapply and eventually sand as usual (shakes head).

Messy and frustrating, no matter what... my sympathies.