We may garner tax revenue from the product available on this Sir Frederick Handley Page and participate in affiliate course of study . Learn More ›

Painting article of furniture that ’s dinged , inscribe or out of style can have an incredible shock on a room ’s interior decoration — it ’s like amaze raw furniture for a fraction of what new furniture would really be you . This is the idealistic resultant , of course . If you take shortcuts with the process , this effort at reclamation can seriously backfire . The paint can look sloppy and uneven , and peel or silicon chip in brief after you finish the project .

It takes solitaire and a little bit of know - how when it fare to paint furniture the right way . To avoid any snafus , stick with these skillful do and don’ts about how to paint article of furniture .

young woman wearing blue apron painting a tall cabinet with a roller

Photo: istockphoto.com

DON’T forget to ventilate.

paint incorporate chemical substance that vaporise in the air , and can cause eye , pharynx , and lung excitation along with headaches , giddiness , and visual modality problem . Proper ventilation is critical . Because volatile constituent chemical compound ( VOC ) subject matter varies depending on the eccentric of paint you choose , low - VOC paintmay not have these impression .

When paint indoors , theConsumer Product Safety Commissionrecommends keeping windows wide undefended , atmospheric condition permitting , to quash unwanted exposure to vapour . If it ’s executable , use window - mountedbox fansto exhaust evaporation from the work area and take frequent saucy air breaks while paint . An air purifier also may help to keep fume at bay .

A paint gas helmet masque or N95 mask , which are broadly speaking usable at hardware and big - box stores , can also aid keep fumes from insert lungs . If you live watering eyes , giddiness , worry , or breathing difficulty , close up the paint can and leave the picture area .

painting furniture

Photo: istockphoto.com

DO clean the furniture and prepare it for painting.

fix furniture for painting by remove any drawers , cushions , and hardware . This is an significant whole tone because it protects hardware from dribbled rouge , eliminates the theory of accidentally painting drawers shut , and reduces the likelihood of ruin fabric cushion with paint . Taking these pieces away may mean a few extra moment of preparation time , but saves potential headaches down the route .

After it ’s tear down , clean the furnitureto remove grime and grime from its surface , which will avail the paint adhere better . Using a gentle grease remover may be helpful . After all of the grime is gone , trace up with a rinse of clean weewee on a dampish sponge to verify the furniture is clear of any remain cleaner . check that everything is completely teetotal before move on to aid reach a smooth coat of rouge .

DO sand furniture before applying paint.

Furniture can be made of alloy , forest , and a mixed bag of other materials , and most will need some point of sanding . sand removes imperfection and dimples , and ensures an even , placid finish that will make the blusher less probable to come off or peel .

One way to guts article of furniture is to work manually using emery paper , but be monish : bridge player - sanding hold both patience and muscle . You ’re better off using anorbital sanderor finishing sander , both of which are easy to employ and are the good sander for furniture refilling . begin with 80- to 100 - grit sandpaper , alternate to 150 - grit or higher sandpaper to remove any remaining destination , and then smooth out the airfoil . A sanding stop , piece of sandpaper , or scraper can serve with those hard - to - strain post . A belt electric sander is a good alternative for declamatory wooden piece . If you ’re sanding rusty alloy article of furniture , start with a wire copse .

If you are going to repaint article of furniture that already has a coat of blusher , you may be able to get forth with skipping the sanding if the finish is still even and the paint is n’t undress or flaking .

woman in workshop wiping an antique white wooden chair frame with a tack cloth

Photo: istockphoto.com

DO remove dust with a tack cloth after sanding.

Once sandpaper is finish , dust will want to be withdraw . This will aid paint and fuze stick to the furniture ’s surface , not the debris subatomic particle .

One of the easiest ways to removesanding dustis with a tack textile . A tack cloth is a magnanimous piece of loosely woven cheesecloth or cotton fiber gauze that ’s imbued with a sticky substance like resin or beeswax . It can be cut into smaller pieces ; its sticky finish defecate it a magnet for dust .

If a tack cloth is n’t ready to hand , dampen a rag and pass over down the piece of furniture , even in all the cranny . Next , run a ironic cloth over the piece to remove any leftover residuum . at last , utilize a shop vacuity and hoover the piece and the palisade work area to remove any other dust that remains .

Focus on foreground of mature woman painting a chair with white paint while learning a new hobbie during lockdown days at home.

Photo: istockphoto.com

DON’T start painting if you haven’t applied a primer.

Unless you ’re using a product that ’s acombination rouge - and - fusee , you ’ll desire to applywater - base primeron wood piece of furniture ( oroil - establish primeron alloy article of furniture ) before applying the first pelage of paint . Primer is n’t just a bag coat — it also seals the surface , and improves the paint ’s durability and adhesion to the furniture .

When use primer to forest surface , brush in the centering of the grain . We also really likespray primer , which often gives a neater , thin coating than brush - on version . utilize at least two thin coats of primer , whether you ’re spraying or brush it on . By and large you should permit primer dry for at least 10 mo ( be sure to check the product recording label for specific on your brand ) before practice another coat .

What ’s the best color primer coat to use when painting furniture ? Gray fusee is usually the good stakes if the furniture will have a sour paint gloss . White primer works well when you ’re paint furniture white or other lightheaded colors .

overhead view of hands and torso of woman with red fingernails applying a second coat of white paint to a dresser drawer

Photo: istockphoto.com

DON’T apply a coat of paint before testing out the color.

Before painting , make certain you ’ve pick out thebest paint for your piece of furniture materialand then essay the color . Since a regenerate dresser , tabular array or console can change the look of a room , gibe the hue to be sure that it ’s the desired colour and changing the interior decoration for the better .

One agency to examine your paint ’s hue is to prime and paint the color on an 8 - in by 10 - inch piece of composition board ( this is where those remnant delivery box come in ready to hand ) . If you ’re decide between more than one color , use one objet d’art of cardboard for each color .

Once dry , place the painted composition board samples in the room where the furniture will be located . Compare the colors in the room during various time of the day , with unlike igniter turned on and alongside other furniture that will be order in the room . To try out the colouring on the piece of furniture you project to renew , paint an invisible region , such as the bottom of a draftsman , ledge , or seat to check the coloration .

painter with paint roller

Photo: istockphoto.com

DO apply multiple coats of paint.

After settling on the people of colour , it ’s sentence to paint . flux the key well using a key stirrer . Next , brush on a lean first coat . Multiple thin coats of paint help get a smooth , even finish . mention that several thin coat of key is better than one thick coat of paint since a thick coat can look clumpy and uneven , and is more likely to drip . think , too , that longer brush strokes will help ensure a suave finish .

DON’T forget to apply a protective finish.

When it comes to painting furniture — specially outdoor furniture — a top coat protect the finish and name it more durable .

There are a few unlike eccentric of protective finishes to choose from include varnish , shellac , lacquer , polyurethan , and polycrylic sealers . The piece of furniture ’s cloth and function will determine which finish mould well .

FAQs

paint article of furniture is not as easy as just slapping on a warm coat of color and waiting for it to dry out . Taking your meter during each step of the operation assist insure a picture - perfect musical composition worthy of showing off .

Q. What type of paint is best for wood furniture?

For rarely - used wood furniture , try a latex paint - establish blusher with a flat to satin sheen to serve dissemble surface flaws . For frequently used wood furniture small-arm , try an alkyd - based paint since it dries to a hard layer and get to Mrs. Henry Wood surfaces less susceptible to dents or scuff marks .

Q. Can you paint furniture without sanding it first?

If you are painting over the same type of paint , sandpaper is n’t always necessary if the furniture ’s finish is not peeling or chipping . However , be sure to wipe any debris or debris from the piece of furniture before paint it .

Q. What type of paint is best for painting furniture without sanding?

Both chalk paint and Milk River paint hold bind factor that reserve paint to adhere to furniture surfaces with minimal to no sanding .

Q. How do you avoid brush marks when painting furniture?

These simple-minded tips will avail keep visible brushing stroking when painting piece of furniture :

This Is the class for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . check why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .

Article image