Need to rush a toy finish

I've found myself in the predicament of wanting/needing to make something for my daughter's first birthday in mid Sept and although I've made the plans and got materials for a "shove a shape through the hole" toy I'm stuck with how to finish it to protect both her and it by the time I've got it ready and have it safe for her by the big day (2-2.5 weeks by the time I get my bum in gear).

The main plate with the holes will have a little bit of paint on it and the pieces will be dyed different colors.

Poly is out as it won't have cured fully in time. Not sure about the time needed for shellac though and not a fan of the color (although I might have a bottle of UBeaut blonde around). If I cooked up a beeswax finish I have my doubts about the nasties evaporating soon enough and the longevity of the finish on something that's going to get pounded (I hope) and the small painted area getting worn off. About the best I have on hand is some trad wax but fear the same problems as with the bee's.

Anything y'all can suggest or correct to save my butt from eternal wifey damnation...again? I'll need to be reincarnated many times over to pay off all this eternal punishment I'm racking up :q

Just warm up your workshop it will speed up the curing time. Apparently dragon's breath is pretty warm. :q:q:)

But try Porters milk paints. You could glaze it with shellac too I think, certainly will dry fast enough.

I cannot see what size the present will be. If it is not to big here is a couple of suggestions.

1. To get a quick dry use Acrylic paint thinned down and then use an ordinary hair dryer to dry the paint. After a few minutes, less in summer , you are ready to put another coat on and then repeat the process until you get the build up you like.

You could also use the dryer on water stain as well.

2. Then to bring up the shine you can use some Acrylic clear gloss or semi gloss spray can. I have used quite a few but my favourite is the White Knight Acrylic Spray that is available from Bunnings , Bristol; or a dulux centre. White knight is either made by Taubmans or Dulux, I am not sure just now. But I have bought it from one of the trade centres apart from Bunnings.

Do not fall for the trap and get the cheap ones. I used some from Supa Cheap. it was about four dollars because I could not get what I wanted. What a disaster.

You could also try some spray on Estapol clear which dries quickly, But i prefer the White Knight because i think it works really well with the Acrylic paint.

Here is an example

This is the rough idea of the toy. Pretty basic flat areas, two stands underneath and maybe a little shelf to kick the shapes out the front when they fall through. The cat's face is the only painted area and the shapes are holes. I haven't finalised the size but it's roughly A4 paper size.

I just remembered someone saying they use a black marker for some details which I might do a few experiements with (and a finish) instead of using paint so it's "flatter".

The poly I have (from memory) is a brush on Estapol clear satin. Is it the same thing as the spray? I thought these kinds of things didn't fully cure to a "suckable" level for a good 30-60 days...maybe a little less if I can crank the heat.

I'm going with the least amount of opaque paint/marker as I can and using dyes so what little grain there is can still be seen (it is just pine after all). I just like the natural look for something like this but still need it protected from grotty fingies :)

The spray on poly dries a lot quicker, it is generally ok to use within 24 hours. The Acrylic spray gives a better gloss and with a few coats is ready to be wrapped up the next day and dry to touch in about four hours.

I would grab some wood similar to what you are going to use and have a play. Professional floor finishes use a poly and you can walk on it the next day. As far as the curing is for what you are doing it is not a concern, but the experts like Mic who has a professional back ground in these things will give you all the technical details you will ever need.

In your case, for that job, 24 hours of a spray should be fine. but do a test and check for your self.

Pete