I haven't been able to get back on Garden Web since my initial post...finally, some GW therapy!!! Thank you all for so many great tips. I feel pretty confident that these chairs will turn out just fine since they are brand new and don't appear to need any prep work (which I'm not so good at). And the tips re: less is more approach vs. spraying too much on at once is a huge help because I'd have soaked those chairs in the 1st go around!! I am definitely going to get that spray paint handle to save my fingers. I need my pointer fingers in tip top shape with all of the pointing I do with 2 year old twins..."go over there for your time out" "your toys belong over there" etc :-) Lauraelle - that set turned out so great!! My chairs are a tiny project compared to the set you did. You've inspired me!! I'll try to learn how to post pics on this website and attach some before and after pics once I'm done. These pics won't be nearly as exciting as Lauraella's since it's really just 2 little chairs but at least you'll get to see what you've had a hand in helping me do :-) Thanks again.

Only thing I can think of is I am either pressing to hard on the brush and/or I am trying to spread the paint too thin Probably both. Or painting away from instead of into your wet area, or using a brush that is too narrow. Or re-working paint that has started to dry slightly. I dip just the tip (maybe 1/3 of the bristles), slap the inside of the can to knock off the excess, and make several crosswise passes on what I'm painting, next to the wet area. This deposits most of the paint onto the object. Then I paint back towards the wet area, longwise of the trim, spreading the paint stripes out into a smooth coat. Finish by brushing long strokes across the newly painted area into the next oldest paint. Repeat across the trim. If you are using a brush that is almost as wide as the trim (3/4 the width is good) you can put a bit of pressure on it, The bristles will fan out and carry the paint right to the edge of the trim. Takes a bit of practice but it really saves time.

Plexiglass is a tradename for acrylic. Data bases show that sunlight (ultraviolet) has only a small effect on acrylics, therefore it should be ok for outdoor use. GE's Lexan is their tradename for polycarbonate and polycarbonate does react to a some degree to sunlight. It becomes more brittle from exposure to ulravoliet light and may be susceptible to solvents. Glass is very durable, but can broken into sharp, dangerous, shards. Both acrylic and polycarbonate are relatively soft compared to grits found in outdoor environments and will, over time, become scratched from wind blown and splashed grit; its surface can be expected to dull. Glass is harder than acrylic or polycarbonate, but softer than many particles found outside. It too, may dull, but will last years longer than the plastics.

would love some advice