Allow the second coat to dry overnight. Be sure to set the hardware aside in a small container so that you don't lose any important parts later. Go back over the paint with a brush. It dries into a rigid layer over wood and continues to harden on the wood surface over time, … Step 1: Mix ½ cup trisodium phosphate with one gallon of warm water. You need to choose the best paint for furniture for the best long term results. The first step to a great paint job, is learning how to prep your wood furniture. If you are using dark paint, thin it down a bit with some water. Sanding. Once your painted furniture is properly sanded, cleaned and prepped you may paint. Before I start, though, I should probably warn old furniture lovers to leave until this post is over. Previous coating must be bonding, adhering properly. To get a professional painted look, these are the steps you need to do before you get the paint out. It’s not the most fun step. Consider alkyd-based oil paint on everyday furnishings. Reassemble the piece of furniture using the original hardware, or replacements you have purchased, then place it in your room. Allow time for the first coat of paint to dry before applying a second coat. Use paint thinner to clean off brushes used for oil-based paints. Be sure to check out this guide on how to prep furniture for painting! I don’t really have any qualms about painting old, beat-up furniture, and so the pictures here may be slightly horrifying to you. Prep for Painting. Rinse with a sponge and water. Sanding produces dust, which may make it difficult for new paint to stick. Scrub this mixture on the trim with a scrub brush. If there is some paint chipping off, I hit those areas with sandpaper to remove any lose paint before priming. A good coat of paint can update the style of an outdated piece, cover an imperfect finish and disguise blemishes so that your dresser, table or chair looks like you bought it new. Remove the hardware from the furniture piece using your screwdriver. Wipe down each piece again using mineral spirits to remove any last bit of residue from the surface. Allow time for the primer to completely dry before moving on to the next step. Painting over waxed wood generally isn't recommended.Unlike paint or clear finish, wax -- even super-hard carnauba wax -- never completely cures. Enamel paint is an excellent choice for finishing wood furniture. After comparing several pieces over time, we found that the best furniture paint is Sherwin Williams Pro Classic. If you are using spray paint, hold the can about 12 inches from the surface of the wood and make slow passes to apply the paint. Allow time for the first coat of paint to dry before applying a second coat. Add a second layer of latex or oil-base paint to the furniture if there are any bare patches. Your email address will not be published. It is so easy to slip down that rabbit hole of chalk paint furniture ideas.Hopefully, I can help and make your search for painted furniture ideas and inspiration just a little bit easier. Apply mineral spirits to a clean rag, then wipe down the entire piece of furniture—as well as any disassembled pieces—to remove any oils, dirt or residues from the surface. Michelle Mathews has spent the last two years as a freelance writer for eHow.com and "The Catholic Herald," a Sacramento, CA-based Catholic newspaper. Latex Paint over Shellac One of the most popular forms of painting a wooden piece is using standard latex paint. (I use this orbital sanderwith variable speeds.) We have painted so many pieces of wood furniture with this paint, and not only does it provide a flawless finish, but it doesn’t chip. Avoid using the furniture or removing the protective painter's tape for a full 24 hours. Once the preliminary sanding is complete, apply wood stain or dark paint as a coloring agent to low spots and areas where wood has been exposed. Brush on a layer of paint using even strokes that follow the direction of the wood grain. If the wood has previously been properly primed and decorated then a general sand down to give the new paint a key is all that is required. Enamel Paint Can Be Applied Right over an Old Finish on Wood Furniture. Sanding helps paint adhere to the furniture surface, removes traces of the old paint and provides a smooth, even finish. Begin with a 220-grit sanding sponge or sandpaper and gradually increase the grit for a smoother finish. Painting over stained wood trim is similar to painting over stained wood. This may depend on the product, and the outside temperature and humidity levels. Fill in any holes with wood filler, then lightly sand all surfaces that will be painted. You can easily update a piece of wood furniture with paint! Your reward will be a durable, beautiful piece of wood furniture. When it comes to searching for painted furniture ideas you can easily get overwhelmed. Be careful not to gouge the surface though: You're just looking to rough it up a little so the p… This light-sanding process is not designed to remove the old finish, rather to create a surface for the primer to adhere to. If it’s not, any paint you paint over it will just flake off with the original paint. Wipe off any excess paint around the paint cans using a clean rag before storing. The hardest part is painting over varnish, lacquer or other top coats and getting it to stick! Ahem. Don't be afraid to paint over furniture that's already painted! If you're looking for an affordable way to give a piece of wood furniture a beautiful patina, you might want to consider distressing its finish. The solvents in oil paint will soften it, leaving a tacky finish, and wax prevents water-based varnishes from bonding to the wood surface, causing eventual peeling. Latex paint can be used to cover up the wood, but the shellac must be in good condition. While the paint is still wet, take a brush and run it over the surface of the... 3. Allow time for the pieces to dry. The first order of business is, of course, sanding. Allow enough time for the primer to become dry to the touch. Sand the surface of the primed piece using a fine grit sandpaper to remove any rough areas before painting. Always paint furniture from the top down because if any paint gets on the bottom of the piece, it will be covered with the final coat. "Distressing is the process of manipulating furniture to appear older or to have been more heavily used," says Jane Henry of Jane Henry Studios, a full-service antique conservation and restoration shop based in New York City. I mean there are so many different styles and techniques out there. If the furniture is unfinished or you want to glaze over an old finish, apply a base coat of paint and wait for it to dry completely before glazing. If you try to paint over that, then your new paint job will start chipping off almost as soon as you paint it on there. The process listed below for prepping, priming and painting wood furniture is simple, straightforward and will be problem free, given that each step is done thoroughly and completely. Trust me, I've been there! Prepare a suitable worksite. Refinishing old furniture is a great way to keep it out of the landfill and give it new life. If your budget is tight, there's a good chance that you won't be able to afford new furniture. You can add furniture feet, if desired… Whether you're moving into your first apartment, purchasing your first home or simply redecorating a room, there's a good chance that you'll need to purchase furniture for your space. Apply a coat of primer to the entire piece of furniture, including any disassembled pieces. Painting and Finishing 1. But it can take a lot of work to make it look great again! For the marble effect, apply oil-based gray paint by pouncing the natural-bristle brush for a soft mottled look. Learn how to paint wood furniture with this detailed, step-by-step, video tutorial! While the paint will be dry to the touch in just a few hours, your finish will last longer if you let it cure for a full day. Allow the second coat to dry overnight. Furniture wax (if using chalk paint or Fusion Mineral Paint) – once your furniture piece has completely dried (I usually wait 24-48 hours), I wax it. Sand the old wood until the finish seems dull. But it is a step that pays off when you do it correctly. Our project used walnut oil, but you can use any type of wood stain or dark paint for similar results. Be sure to start any painting project by sanding your surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper. 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