Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 14:15:58 GMT
At thirty quid for a new set, mushrooms for the 4-Pin version of the game ain't cheap. So it was my fortune to pick up two separate lots on eBay (unmatching, one set of 3 and one set of 5) for a tenner. When I put the two 'sets' together, I found I had one passable set and one odd set of two blacks and two reds but no white.
So (it being very unlikely that I could find four whites going begging) the task I set myself was how to turn a black and a red into two whites: sounds easy, doesn't it ? Well, I can now claim to know - following trial and error - a) how not to go about it, and b) and c) how to do it properly. And, believe me, if you do a) you get into a right old state !
a) First attempt (Sunday). Sat out in the garden whilst listening to Test Match Special, armed with a cardboard box to prop the items up inside, and an old tin of white gloss and a half-inch paintbrush. After repeated cursing of the wind blowing the items over, the first coat is finally added, not very sparingly and requiring repeated touch-ups. Mushrooms not looking a very good match, the former red one having a pinkish hue so a second coat needed. Instructions on tin claim paint should dry in two hours, so second coats added and items left to dry and harden overnight. Results are described by the missus as 'horrible'. Hands are in an even worse state - requiring the application of copious amounts of Swarfega.
b) Undoing the first attempt! (Monday). Target is to strip items down completely to the bare wood. Bathed items in tub of diluted white spirit. This successfully removed yesterday's layers of white paint. Carried on the job with some old sandpaper and got most of original paint off. Items looking better already.
At this juncture, further materials are needed......a small spray can of white paint and some more sandpaper. Quick bus journey. Spray cans start at £9.99, I'm not paying that.... But I found some of this: a sampler can of 'soothing white matt' at just £2-99:
c) Second attempt (Tuesday).
Sand down the two mushrooms as you would a cue, to a nice smooth finish. Then apply the 'soothing white matt' to each using an artists brush twirling the mushroom as you go, leaving a small area at the top of it bare whilst you pivot with the finger. This paint dries very quickly, and it's then just a case of touching up the top bit which had been left bare for the finger. Simples !
Total times taken: Wrong method approximately 6 hours; correct method 20 minutes !
So (it being very unlikely that I could find four whites going begging) the task I set myself was how to turn a black and a red into two whites: sounds easy, doesn't it ? Well, I can now claim to know - following trial and error - a) how not to go about it, and b) and c) how to do it properly. And, believe me, if you do a) you get into a right old state !
a) First attempt (Sunday). Sat out in the garden whilst listening to Test Match Special, armed with a cardboard box to prop the items up inside, and an old tin of white gloss and a half-inch paintbrush. After repeated cursing of the wind blowing the items over, the first coat is finally added, not very sparingly and requiring repeated touch-ups. Mushrooms not looking a very good match, the former red one having a pinkish hue so a second coat needed. Instructions on tin claim paint should dry in two hours, so second coats added and items left to dry and harden overnight. Results are described by the missus as 'horrible'. Hands are in an even worse state - requiring the application of copious amounts of Swarfega.
b) Undoing the first attempt! (Monday). Target is to strip items down completely to the bare wood. Bathed items in tub of diluted white spirit. This successfully removed yesterday's layers of white paint. Carried on the job with some old sandpaper and got most of original paint off. Items looking better already.
At this juncture, further materials are needed......a small spray can of white paint and some more sandpaper. Quick bus journey. Spray cans start at £9.99, I'm not paying that.... But I found some of this: a sampler can of 'soothing white matt' at just £2-99:
c) Second attempt (Tuesday).
Sand down the two mushrooms as you would a cue, to a nice smooth finish. Then apply the 'soothing white matt' to each using an artists brush twirling the mushroom as you go, leaving a small area at the top of it bare whilst you pivot with the finger. This paint dries very quickly, and it's then just a case of touching up the top bit which had been left bare for the finger. Simples !
Total times taken: Wrong method approximately 6 hours; correct method 20 minutes !
