Repairing White/Ivory Polyester
Watch the video Polyester Repair for Ebony for a tutorial on the basics of polyester repair. We highly recommend the recently revised and comprehensive Polyester Repair Manual.
Outside of polyester repair technique, it is important to have good color perception. Unlike shades of black, which is more 'forgiving' with perceived color match, matching shades of white needs to be more exact and is noticeable when not accomplished. If the requirement to do white polyester repair is rare and the mixing of colors to create shades of white is not your strength, consider using repair methods 3 or 4.
The four methods for completing repairs on white polyester ...
1. Traditional: The White Polyester Kit is a pre-mixed pure white polyester lacquer with hardener, clear graduated mixing cup, mixing spatula, and pipette. Shades of white will require the Paint Box to create the correct color. Correct color prior to adding hardener. Hardener ratio is 2 - 4 drops using the pipette per 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml). Reminder, the more hardener used decreases the working time and allows for faster setting, which may be ideal when doing a small in-home repair. To form new corners and fill in deep gouges, we recommend using Rex Lith White Gel Filler.
There is no set formula for color mixing shades of white. Manufacturers often use different formulas for the same color names (e.g. ivory, cream, off-white). To help get started on the right track, here are a few tips on achieving shades of white with the pre-mixed white polyester: Traditional Ivory is created using yellow, start with 1 drop per 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) of white polyester and increase as needed, ivory may also include traces of beige (brown) and pink (red) among other variations of colors; Traditional Cream is similar to Ivory but mostly white with a touch of yellow, some creams are beige toned or pink toned; Off-White can be the most difficult because the shade difference from pure white can be ever so slight, the colors used (or combination) may be similar to the above examples but can also be just a greyish (black) shade. If unsure of the correct colors to create a shade of white, experiment using only the Paint Box colors that includes pure white with the clear mixing cup.
Products needed to do proper polyester repairs are available in the Advanced Complete Kit. If starting new, this is the repair kit for polyester black (ebony), white, and clear coat (wood) finishes. For those who already have polyester/touch-up tools and experience, the Advanced Complete Kit provides a list of included items with hyperlinks to the individual product pages for comparison of needed parts.
2. Thin Finish: One of the most frustrating things that can happen during a finish repair is sanding through a thin finish or a finish repair area that is so thin that a traditional repair is not feasible. In the past, it required building up the finish with repair material, allowing it to cure, and going through the whole process – risking a sand-through.
Acrylic Enamel to the rescue! We had this topcoat formulated as a much simpler solution. The color mixing for shades of white is the same as a traditional repair. For complete information and instructions go to Acrylic Enamel Information. For best results, use an air-brush or Preval Spray System to apply.
3. Custom Color: Use a local auto-body paint supplier that provides color matching services and purchase high-gloss acrylic enamel. Take a case part (e.g. table piece, piano cheek block) for color matching and get the smallest quantity they will allow for your needs.
Have the supplier give you instructions on application. Get the instruction sheet for the Thin Finish repair with Preparation, Spraying and Sanding Tips at Acrylic Enamel Information. Once the repair surface is level and smooth, top-coat with the acrylic paint. For best results, use an air-brush or Preval Spray System to apply. In less critical situations you will still get good results by brushing it on.
4. Outside Contractor: Use the services of a Furniture Refinisher that specializes in polyester repair, especially if it is beyond the scope of a typical in-home repair. Convenient for removable parts or if there is significant damage. If a local refinisher with polyester experience is not an option, we recommend Cavalieri Finishing Co. in Long Island, NY ... www.cavalierifinishing.com. Their work is without equal and the damaged finish will be new again.
Outside of polyester repair technique, it is important to have good color perception. Unlike shades of black, which is more 'forgiving' with perceived color match, matching shades of white needs to be more exact and is noticeable when not accomplished. If the requirement to do white polyester repair is rare and the mixing of colors to create shades of white is not your strength, consider using repair methods 3 or 4.
The four methods for completing repairs on white polyester ...
1. Traditional: The White Polyester Kit is a pre-mixed pure white polyester lacquer with hardener, clear graduated mixing cup, mixing spatula, and pipette. Shades of white will require the Paint Box to create the correct color. Correct color prior to adding hardener. Hardener ratio is 2 - 4 drops using the pipette per 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml). Reminder, the more hardener used decreases the working time and allows for faster setting, which may be ideal when doing a small in-home repair. To form new corners and fill in deep gouges, we recommend using Rex Lith White Gel Filler.
There is no set formula for color mixing shades of white. Manufacturers often use different formulas for the same color names (e.g. ivory, cream, off-white). To help get started on the right track, here are a few tips on achieving shades of white with the pre-mixed white polyester: Traditional Ivory is created using yellow, start with 1 drop per 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) of white polyester and increase as needed, ivory may also include traces of beige (brown) and pink (red) among other variations of colors; Traditional Cream is similar to Ivory but mostly white with a touch of yellow, some creams are beige toned or pink toned; Off-White can be the most difficult because the shade difference from pure white can be ever so slight, the colors used (or combination) may be similar to the above examples but can also be just a greyish (black) shade. If unsure of the correct colors to create a shade of white, experiment using only the Paint Box colors that includes pure white with the clear mixing cup.
Products needed to do proper polyester repairs are available in the Advanced Complete Kit. If starting new, this is the repair kit for polyester black (ebony), white, and clear coat (wood) finishes. For those who already have polyester/touch-up tools and experience, the Advanced Complete Kit provides a list of included items with hyperlinks to the individual product pages for comparison of needed parts.
2. Thin Finish: One of the most frustrating things that can happen during a finish repair is sanding through a thin finish or a finish repair area that is so thin that a traditional repair is not feasible. In the past, it required building up the finish with repair material, allowing it to cure, and going through the whole process – risking a sand-through.
Acrylic Enamel to the rescue! We had this topcoat formulated as a much simpler solution. The color mixing for shades of white is the same as a traditional repair. For complete information and instructions go to Acrylic Enamel Information. For best results, use an air-brush or Preval Spray System to apply.
3. Custom Color: Use a local auto-body paint supplier that provides color matching services and purchase high-gloss acrylic enamel. Take a case part (e.g. table piece, piano cheek block) for color matching and get the smallest quantity they will allow for your needs.
Have the supplier give you instructions on application. Get the instruction sheet for the Thin Finish repair with Preparation, Spraying and Sanding Tips at Acrylic Enamel Information. Once the repair surface is level and smooth, top-coat with the acrylic paint. For best results, use an air-brush or Preval Spray System to apply. In less critical situations you will still get good results by brushing it on.
4. Outside Contractor: Use the services of a Furniture Refinisher that specializes in polyester repair, especially if it is beyond the scope of a typical in-home repair. Convenient for removable parts or if there is significant damage. If a local refinisher with polyester experience is not an option, we recommend Cavalieri Finishing Co. in Long Island, NY ... www.cavalierifinishing.com. Their work is without equal and the damaged finish will be new again.