How To Paint Furniture
Do you want to know how to paint furniture? Maybe you have a piece of furniture that is beginning to look old and shabby. Or maybe you had it handed down to you and it just doesn't seem to go with your decorating style. In times like these, we need to learn how to make do with what we have, so let's fix this problem by painting it to fit in with your decor!
Steps To Painting Furniture
First you need a good work space with plenty of ventilation, lots of newspaper, and all the necessary tools required for sanding,
damp wiping
and painting your furniture.
- Paint
- Primer
- Sandpaper, goggles, gloves and face mask
- Paint brushes, rollers, roller covers
- Paint tray
- Dry rags and damp rags
- Screwdriver and paint mixing stick
The next step you will have to do before painting furniture is remove all the knobs and handles. You can replace them, paint them, or maybe even just polish them, depending on the budget that you are working with. Remove the drawers, cabinet doors and shelves if they are not permanently attached. If the furniture is dirty, give it a quick wash and dry.
Now you have several choices. You can spray paint the piece with a texture that will eliminate the need for sanding and smoothing. You can antique it, which will hide a multitude of sins. But if you choose to refinish it or simply paint it, you will need to lightly sand the wood, smooth out the bumps, and use a bit of wood filler on any gouges or holes. It is wise to wear goggles, gloves and a face mask while doing this job. You aren't trying to remove all the paint, you just need to rough up the surface a bit to help the paint adhere.
When that is done wipe off the sanding dust with a slightly dampened rag. Dry it carefully with a clean rag. You don't want to let the wood get wet, so don't get sloppy with the water.
Next step in how to paint furniture... Now that you are ready to paint it, start by giving it a coat of primer. This can be done with a white, brush on primer or with a gray spray on primer. When it is dry (this usually takes and hour or two), look it over. If the coat looks too thin or spotty, give it another quick coat. Don't be impatient. Let it dry!
It is wise to do the doors and frame first, and then the drawer fronts and shelves. Brush your water-based paint on evenly, always following the wood grain. If you are using spray paint, hold the can a foot away from the surface and make slow even passes following the grain.
Whichever method you choose, let it dry thoroughly and do a second coat. It is always smarter to apply two thin coats of paint than one thick one. It dries faster, and will look more even. If you want a textured look, daub some paint of a slightly darker color onto the surface of the wood, using a natural sea sponge.
Let the pieces dry for a few days before reassembling. If you rush it, you can do some damage to the new paint. Once you have it all together again, and sporting its polished or new accessories, you will be amazed at how different and wonderful it looks! Hopefully you will now know how to paint furniture. Go have fun!
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