alibaba

Hello,

I've found a wooden giraffe riding toy from the early 1970s which I played with as a toddler. As a new father, I want to restore this toy for my baby son. In addition to re-gluing his joints, I will carefully touch up the worn paint (the giraffe is yellow with spots, painted-on eyes, etc.).

I haven't painted with anything but house latex since I was a kid, so I don't remember what kind of paint you'd use for crisp details on wood. I suppose I'll also need a clear finish to protect my child from toxins in the old paint (Who knows whether a Fisher Price giraffe from the early 1970s would have lead paint or not?). Would shellac work for this purpose? Or some kind of urethane?

I'd appreciate any advice on this project.

Thanks!

gma2rjc

Hi alibaba. Welcome to the forum.

You can go to a hardware or big box store and purchase a lead test kit. They're not expensive and not difficult to use.

Barb

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May your blessings be more.
And may nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

DangerMouse

I doubt it has lead paint.....
I'd use a good brand name high gloss enamel.
They come in pint cans in a rainbow of bright colors if you need to just do a small project, and dry kidsafe and non-toxic. Lightly sand and feather the chipped paint to smooth it to the wood, or remove it completely. Then paint away!

DM

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Angela

I'm sorry that I don't have any helpful advice for you, although I do agree with DangerMouse about the highgloss paint. My husband used to paint wooden dinosaur puzzles with that.
I just want to say that I think it is FANTASTIC that you are trying to fix up one of your old toys for your son.
My oldest daughter has (and still sleeps with) a blanket that was mine as a baby (she is 16 now), and my youngest sleeps in what used to be my bedroom growing up (we bought my parents' house).

It is special.

gma2rjc

DM, do you think it would help to paint some primer on the bare spots of wood once he's done sanding?

Barb

__________________
May your troubles be less.
May your blessings be more.
And may nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

DangerMouse

Not really necessary for a kid's toy IMHO.... the enamel will stick just fine.
But of course, you can if you want to!
Just don't clean it with Lemon Pledge first! LOL
oops, that's in the diyforum... still funny....

DM

__________________
"The only real magic in life is the magic of life itself."
For some ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ Magical ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ Fun, go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/MickeySoume
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Jrits

I need help with this too TIA!