Home DIY Basics: Learn How to Paint Furniture

Do you dream of transforming your old furniture into something new and stylish? A tired piece of furniture can get a new life with a little bit of paint. Nothing can make a bigger impact on your home decor than a piece of furniture that has been given a makeover. The best part? You don’t have to be an experienced painter to complete this project. With the right tools and equipment, anyone can paint furniture and give it a new look. We’ll give you some tips and tricks for painting your furniture to turn it into a showstopping statement piece.

Supplies Needed

The supplies needed for painting furniture are fairly simple and easy to find at your local paint or hardware store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• sandpaper
• a tack cloth
• primer & paint
• painter’s tape
• paint brushes
• stir sticks for mixing paint
• a drop cloth to protect the floor from spills
• a sealer for protecting your finished project

Preparing the Furniture

Start by giving the piece of furniture a thorough cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner. Make sure it is completely dry before proceeding, as this can affect how well the paint adhere’s to the furniture. If you find any nails or screws sticking out of the furniture, be sure to hammer them down so you won’t catch yourself on them later. Once that’s done, use coarse-grit sandpaper and start sanding the surface to remove any existing finishes or loose paint flakes. After sanding is complete, wipe down the furniture with a tack cloth to ensure the dust particles are gone before applying any primer or paint.

Priming the Furniture

Primer is important because it creates an even base on which you can apply the paint and helps to create a barrier between the wood and paint. Start by applying painter’s tape around the edges of any surfaces surrounding your furniture so that the primer does not accidentally get onto them. Use either an airless sprayer or brush-on primer, and make sure you wear a face mask and gloves throughout this process. Start at one end of your piece of furniture and move in slow steady strokes, working from top to bottom. Be sure not to overlap each stroke too much, but also remember to cover every area of exposed wood evenly. Allow your primer to fully dry before using paint.

Painting the Furniture

Before you apply your actual paint, it is crucial to mix it correctly. Once stirred, dip your brush in the mixture and start painting one section at a time, beginning at one corner and working in small sections until complete coverage has been achieved. Apply several coats until the piece is completely covered before letting it dry overnight before applying any sealants or other finishes.

Applying a Protective Finish

To protect your newly painted piece of furniture from scratches, adding a protective finish is recommended for optimal results. To apply a polyurethane sealant, start by lightly sanding down the dried paint with medium-grit sandpaper before wiping away all dust particles with a tack cloth. Using either an airless sprayer or brush-on polyurethane, carefully begin applying it using the same even strokes from before.

Conclusion

Painting furniture can be both fun and rewarding when done correctly. It can be tricky to get the hang of, so be patient. By following these steps, you can be sure that you will have beautiful professionally painted pieces of furniture in no time. All that’s left to do is enjoy your new furniture.