Getting Started with That Red
So, I decided I needed that specific kind of red, you know, the really bright, bold one. Saw it on a car once, I think, and it just stuck in my head. Figured I’d try using it for this little project I had going on.
Finding the Right Shade
Okay, step one was actually getting my hands on this ‘nascar red’. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. Went to the local hardware store first. Nope. They had reds, sure, but not that red. Too dark, too orange, too something else. Ended up spending a good hour looking at paint chips. Then I tried online. Found a few potential candidates, but you never know if the color on the screen is the real deal. Finally found a paint code that seemed promising from a specialty supplier. Took a bit of a gamble ordering it, honestly.
Prepping the Surface
While waiting for the paint to arrive, I got the piece ready. It was an old wooden box I wanted to liven up.
- Sanded it down first. Took ages, got dust everywhere.
- Wiped it clean, really made sure there was no grit left.
- Put on a coat of primer. Gotta have a good base, right? Let that dry overnight.
Made sure the workspace was covered too. Learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago!
The Painting Part
The paint finally showed up. Moment of truth. Opened the can… and yeah, that looked like the color I remembered! Big relief. Started applying it. Used a small brush for the edges and a roller for the flat parts. The first coat looked a bit thin, kinda streaky. Always does, I guess. Had to wait a few hours for it to dry properly before even thinking about the next coat. Patience isn’t my strong suit, but rushing paint never ends well.
Second coat went on much smoother. The color really started to pop. It was bright. Like, really, really bright. Stood back and looked at it. Yeah, that was the effect I was going for. Let that dry completely, gave it a full day just to be safe.
Finishing Up
Thought about adding a clear coat for protection. Decided against it for this one, wanted that pure matte color look. Just gave it a final wipe-down once I was sure it was totally cured. Put the hinges and latch back on the box.
End Result
So, there it sits now. This incredibly red box. It’s definitely an attention-grabber. Was it worth the hassle of finding that specific red? Yeah, I think so. It just has a certain energy. Didn’t turn out perfectly perfect, few tiny blemishes if you look super close, but good enough for me. It was a simple idea, but tracking down that exact color was half the battle. Glad I stuck with it though. Makes the finished thing feel a bit more special.
