I couldn't agree more. Sometimes I labor over the details of a job so much that I drive myself nuts. I want a very good job from myself, and serious ly, my standards are a light higher than my client's are sometimes. I have pride in my work, but also don't need anyone telling someone I do substanda rd work. ALL of my work right now is word of mouth and has been for some ti me.
At this point, I don't need the practice. I kick myself in the ass if I do n't make enough, and try to figure out at the end one of two things: 1) did I just miss the labor, materials and processes and bid to cheap? and 2) d id I not understand the job well enough to bid it properly?
I know I will NEVER get rich doing what I do, but I don't have to starve, e ither.
That might be the key. You could get there early put a coat on and come by late. To put on the hardware for the night. Still... 3-4 hours to prep th e door (sand, tape off the lites)and fill the holes. Wait until the putty dries so you don't dissolve it, and since a coat won't dry in 4-5 hours, yo u come back the next day. Take off the hardware, put up your dust barrier, and coat the door and trims. 3 hours by the time you clean up your brushes . Come back later that evening and put the hardware back on.
Repeat the next day. Now you are at two coats. Since the wood was naked, should do one more, realizing that the coating is drying slower and slower as the green coats are off gassing.
Until I went with a non-negotialble solvent based finish unless we are in t he middle of summer, I was always nervous about the finishes being dry enou gh to not stick. Yes I took off the weatherstripping, etc., but still, one point of contact and it will leave a hickey. If the weather screws you an d you miss a day of coating, 48 hours may be too late for another coat on t op of your door and you will get witness lines.
Solvent based products are pretty predictable so I try to stick with them. But there is one winner you might try that is water borne but it acts and hardens like solvent. Find an ML Campbell dealer around you and they can f ix you up with some of their outstanding water based products. I am pretty sure they have a brushable/foam pad product. I think that all SW has to of fer is a catalyzed product and for something that small it is too much hass le.
If it is a really good job, I agree.
Robert