Key Points:
- A bit of cleaning and sanding with priming forces a cleaner, stronger, and more durable job.
- Thin coats, drying time, and light sanding in between coat layers are the good finishing procedures.
- A great top coat will seal from abuse, wear and tear, and keep the painted furniture looking clean.
Furniture painting can seem like an enormous task, but once you know the processes, it’s not that hard! Anything from a table from a garage sale to a small paint job or an old dresser in the corner may transform a room! You won’t be a professional, and you won’t be spending much money at all. Just take time, go through the steps, and use supplies, and you will have a fresh new item. This simple tutorial for beginners shows how to paint furniture without making a big deal.
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Painting Surface
To start, choose a solid piece of furniture to paint. Solid wood works best, as the paint adheres to this material. If the piece is laminate or veneer, you do not need to worry; you can paint it, but you will need to do a little more preparation to establish adherence to the piece. You will want to avoid pieces that come apart and/or are severely damaged unless you want to do repairs.
Ask yourself this:
- Do I have a solid surface to work with?
- Will paint improve its appearance?
- Is it clean and sturdy enough to last?
You can begin painting if it is a “yes” to each of the three.
Step 2: Assemble Your Materials
You must ensure your setup is sorted and all your supplies are on hand. This is an easy list to follow:
- Medium and fine-grain sandpaper
- A rag or towel (to dust and clean)
- A screwdriver (to remove handles or knobs)
- Primer (especially on laminate or darker woods)
- Paint (acrylic, chalk, or latex)
- Use a paintbrush or foam roller
- Topcoat or sealer (if the piece will get lots of wear)
- Drop cloth or old newspaper (to protect the floor)
Don’t worry about getting the fanciest stuff. Ensure your brushes aren’t falling apart and your paint is good quality.
Step 3: Prepare A Good Working Environment
You’ll want a place where you can have fresh air and room to work, but nobody expects you to have a special studio; remember, if painting indoors, open your window! Outside, look for a place that does not have high humidity and wind. As you paint, keep your workspace tidy and utilize your drop cloth to catch drips. At this time, you’ll want to take off any hardware (handles or knobs). This way, when painting around these areas, you don’t accidentally get this stuff painted!
Step 4: First, Clean the Furniture
This part matters more than people think. Dirt, grease, or dust can disrupt the bond the paint forms. Before proceeding, wash the piece in warm water and dish soap and dry it thoroughly.
You can try vinegar or a cleaner such as TSP if there is sticky gunk or weird gloss or shine. The cleaner the surface, the better the paint will stick, and the better your furniture will look.
Step 5: Lightly Sand It
There is no need to go wild with sanding. You don’t want to take it down to the bare wood; just rough it up a little bit so that the paint will stick better.
You should start with some medium-grit sandpaper (120-150 grit) and then wipe off the dust with a rag. If it still feels too smooth, you could try fine-grit sandpaper.
Sanding will be significant for slick surfaces like laminate. It helps the primer and paint stay put instead of sliding off later.
Step 6: Use a Primer (Trust Me, It Helps)
A priming coat has a significant impact. It facilitates paint application, particularly when painting a dark or discolored surface. Even if you use chalk paint, which eliminates the requirement for a primer, it may still be worthwhile.
Apply a thin coat of primer and let it dry completely. Then, sand lightly with fine sandpaper to remove some bumps. Wipe it clean again before painting.
Step 7: Start Painting!
Now for the fun part. First, use paint in a thin and even coat. For a smooth finish, use a brush for the corners and details and a foam roller for the flat surfaces.
Do not glob it on. A thick paint application takes a long time to dry and creates a messy finish. Two or three light coats of paint are always preferable to one heavy coat. Heavy coats take forever to dry and tend to run, so make your time. Allow each coat to dry completely (this depends on the paint you are using; read its manual). If you want a good smooth finish, remember to do some light sanding between coats.
Paint as many coats as you need until you are happy with the finish. You will need two coats for most things, but if you are covering something dark, you might need to do a third.
Step 8: Apply a Topcoat to Seal It
Applying the topcoat will keep the paint job looking good longer, especially on everyday items (like chairs, tables, or dressers). Paint left unsealed with a topcoat will chip and wear much easier without one – even though it may look better.
Water-based polyacrylic is a good choice. It dries clear and will not turn yellow. Apply the paint thinly using a cleaned brush or roller. When applying a second coat, be cautious and let it dry completely. If the first layer seems thin, you may need a second coat.
You can apply a finishing wax if you’re using chalk paint. Do as the wax instructs!
Step 9: After Letting It Cure, Reassemble It
Give the furniture time to fully cure after your final coat (of paint or sealer). Even though it may feel dry to the touch after a few hours, it needs 24–48 hours before it is regularly used.
Once it is dry and ready, replace the hardware and move it back in place. You’ll probably smile every time you walk by—there’s just something cool about transforming a piece yourself.
A Few Extra Tips
- Test your paint color on the back or underside of the furniture.
- Use good quality painter’s tape for the edges that you don’t want to get paint on.
- Remove them from the cabinet and paint them separately if you paint drawers.
- Before using the paint, always remember to stir it.
- Painting outside in rainy or humid conditions will interfere with the drying process.
Conclusion
You don’t need to get too worked up about it. Another fun hobby is painting furniture. It’s easy and looks great. Each time you look at the finish, you will feel great about yourself and may even want to attempt the next do-it-yourself service!
Consider this as your indication if you’ve been sitting there with that old item for weeks. Get your paint and go for it. You’ve got this.
