MITRA Forum Question Details

Hello, this is Martha Rose.  I was wondering if someone might be able to help me.

I actually have 2 mural opportunities, but right now I'm trying to focus more on one over the other because it seems more 'involved.'

One piece is to be mounted outdoors.  The other piece is to be placed over doors- that is to say, I believe the intention is that it be painted directly on them.  I do not know the door material or their dimension- nor the dimensions of the outdoor mural- but I do know the doors will have to function.  The mural-side of the door is at the interior of the building, the other side is to the exterior, like a garage door. It's a metal roll-up door.

Materials:

I need to figure out exactly what I need to spend in order to complete each project.

I currently have:

• Red Oak Plywood- Six 36in*36.5in pc.'s & 15 1Ft. sq. pc.'s all 3/4in. Thick
• 10pack mini rollers for smooth-semi smooth surfaces - what should I use rollers for vs. brushes? Do I clean to re-use them or are they a single-use type of product?
• 76mm angled Poly-blend bristle brush, for smooth & semi-smooth surfaces
• 10 kit HDX Nitrile Disposable Gloves- 'not for use w/ chemicals'
• Will these work w/ Varathane, GOLDEN Isolation Coat, & Primer?
• KILZ 2 Latex Primer/sealer/stainblocker Multisurface (Drywall, masonry, galvanized, & more*) Interior/Exterior Water-based- re-coat in 1hour
• Varathane Brand Ultimate SPAR URETHANE?, Oil-based, clear gloss- Recommends 3 coats & min 4hours dry time(sanding only if drying for 12+ hours) ==> notes cancer & reproductive harm as well as the need for adequate ventilation, but also the harm go humidity
• Can I use this product outside?- where should I let it dry?

It has been recommended that I get:

• sand paper. 200 grit- I would be hand sanding to remove splinters - specif. @ he edges where the wood was cut, but I'm assuming I'd have to do the entire board for the primer to adhere - so I'm wondering if there's a correct way to do this...

I think I need:

• Goggles
• Respirator
• Coveralls 
• Knee Pads
• Mixing & Storage Containers
• 1gal. Heavy Body Acrylic Paint-,at least 6 colors- including neutrals? (white, black, brown)
• 1 Gal. Isolation Coat
• 1 Gal. Solvent- for the Varathane?, I don't know the exact details of this product, but when I looked up polyurethane, it req.'d a solvent to be used
• Mounting Hardware
• Probably additional Painters Tape & Brushes

All 'clothing items' are for the Varnish & finish products- everything appears to be highly toxic, don't know if there are safer alternatives.

All amts were 'guess-timated' before the addition of the 2nd mural piece and it's different setting.

Process:

I am still trying to come up with some sketches to determine the overall composition, but I am wondering:

• How can I go about choosing colors?- The room is full of very 'non-modern?' colors, very little blues, purples, or even oranges and the colors are very muddy and dark.  I would like to choose a period-appropriate color scheme but still add some brightness to the colors I choose and some naturalistic purples and blues that go with the theme of the piece.  I want to make sure I have a large variety of colors, but not purchase unnecessary colors I could just take the time to measure out and mix.
  
• Example- If I have a largely white background, fo I need to purchase white paint, or can I just use the Primer? Do I tint the Primer to make other neutrals or do i need to use paint
• How can I go about estimating and pre-mixing any batches of specific colors to work with?
• Is it possible to follow and early-1900s 'recipe' for specific colors and get a somewhat accurate result using paints purchased today?

I'm thinking the wood panels would be used for the outdoor piece that would be on the side of a house and would not move.

Some or all of these panels may also need to be shipped... I'm thinking some of the smaller panels could be used to flank the large doors.  The large panels may have to be shipped with some kind of mounting instructions.

I currently trying to read through various MITRA posts, but these are the more pointed inquiries I can think of for myself...

Thank You,

Martha Rose