Project Description
Easy Way to Paint Wooden Furniture
Anybody can paint furniture, right? Not really. Most people do not know the right way to paint furniture and they end up doing it the wrong way. Painting your furniture can be really enjoyable if you know how to do it the right way. In this post, we will give you some easy instructions. Hopefully these instructions will help you learn the best way to paint wooden furniture, even if you have never done it before.
Step one: sanding
When you are going to paint wooden furniture, the first thing you need to do is sanding. Proper sanding ensures a smooth and even finish by removing existing varnish and lacquer. If you see that the existing finish is thick, carefully remove it with sandpaper or an orbital sander. If there is any wood filler, pay special attention to it.
Hand-sanding is not a very good idea because you will have to work for a long time to remove stain and old paint. An orbital sander is highly recommended.
And if you use sandpaper, make sure that the paper is fine grade. The quality of sandpaper depends on the number of sand granules on the paper. Finer grade paper has higher number of granules.
After sanding your furniture with an orbital sander, use plain sandpaper to tackle hard-to-reach spots. If needed, use more than one type of sander to smooth out the surface of your furniture.
Step two: dust removal
If there is residual dust on your furniture, the paint and primer will not stick very well. So it is very important to remove all the dust before you start painting. After vacuuming thoroughly, you can use a dry cloth to remove dust from the furniture.
It is also a good idea to apply a little odorless mineral spirit on your furniture and wipe down the piece. The rag you are using should be slightly damp, but it should not be dripping. Whatever your method is, your furniture should be completely dust-free before you start painting it.
Step three: priming
After sanding and dust removal, now you have to prime your furniture. For this task, a spray primer is better than a brush. If you intend to use a dark color, you should use a gray primer. Under light colors, a white color is a good option.
Make sure you do several thin coats of primer. Your first coat should be barely visible. After doing one coat, let it dry for ten minutes and then consider doing another. Make sure that the coat of primer is thin and even.
A spray primer can make the job easier and faster. If you use a spray primer, make sure that the coats you make are thin.
You may need to sand the furniture before doing the last coat of primer because in some cases primer tends to raise the grain. If you notice that the surface is not smooth enough, use fine-grit sandpaper and sand it. Your paint will be bonded nicely to the primer. But do not forget to apply another coat of primer after painting your furniture.
Step four: painting
This is the final and the most important step. In order to achieve a smooth finish, consider using a thinner paint. Take a clean paint brush and mix the paint well. Brush on the first coat and make sure that the coat is very thin.
Do a number of thin coats to achieve a smooth finish. Keep in mind that it is better to apply several thin coats than one extra thick coat. Thin coats are not only durable but also visually appealing.
If you are painting a flat and large section, consider using long strokes. Make sure that a single stroke covers the whole length. If you work in this way, the finish will be smooth.
Before applying a coat, make sure that the painted area has dried. If it has not, wait for some time before you apply another coat. Then repeat this process until you are satisfied with the outcome.
In order to protect your paint from nicks and scratches, a clear finish can be applied when your paint is dry. You can use water-based polyurethane for this purpose.
After you have finished painting your furniture, you should let it sit for some time. Do not use freshly-painted furniture too early, because you may end up leaving scratches on your furniture
