Painting a piece of furniture: how to proceed?

This old piece of furniture needs a makeover? Painting a piece of furniture is an activity within everyone’s reach, provided you follow the steps. To breathe new life into a sideboard or chest of drawers, follow our advice. Everything you need to know to paint furniture easily and avoid disappointment. We give you the list of the necessary equipment and the traps to avoid.

The equipment for this operation

To paint a piece of furniture and give it a makeover, you will need materials and supplies. Here is an indicative (and not exhaustive) list:

  • a sponge and a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the furniture and clean it;
  • gloves and old clothes;
  • a mask if you work in an enclosed space or if you have to sand a large surface, or if you use irritating stripping products;
  • containers such as empty plastic bottles to pour the amount of paint you will need or to mix;
  • small sticks for mixing the paint;
  • sandpaper;
  • wood filler to restore damaged furniture;
  • wood glue to glue a drawer or a handle, for example;
  • stripping products such as white spirit;
  • painter’s tape;
  • a flat brush for hard-to-reach places;
  • a special paint or lacquer roller.

Mistakes not to make

There are several mistakes to avoid when deciding to paint a piece of furniture.

Forget the underlay

The first mistake is forgetting to apply an undercoat when repainting dark wood furniture. If you want a light color, it is essential to apply a first coat of white paint. This base will make it possible to obtain a perfect rendering.

Skipping the sanding step

Don’t neglect the sanding step before painting either. Whether your furniture is wood or metal, start by sanding it with a coarse grain. This step removes paint and splinters. Above all, do not skip sanding if you have wooden pallet furniture!

Thoroughly clean the furniture

On the other hand, avoid cleaning the furniture with plenty of water before repainting it. It is often a reflex to get rid of dust, but then you risk cracking your wooden furniture. Instead, use a vacuum cleaner and a damp sponge with a little black soap.

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Do not process the support

The support must also be treated before applying the paint. To do this, use the anti-rust product if you notice a little rust on the metal, or a suitable treatment. For example, if the furniture has holes, use a wood filler. This step is crucial even if the furniture does not seem particularly damaged.

Do not use primer

Also be aware that the paint does not adhere to all surfaces (lacquered furniture, cherry wood furniture, etc.). If this is the case, a primer is necessary before applying a coat of paint, once the support is clean and dry. In addition, it allows you to start on a neutral basis. And over time, the paint is thus more resistant.

Botch the patterns

And if you decide to paint patterns, don’t rush the details. Admittedly, it requires some technique, but the result will be worth it. To make a pattern, first draw the shape in pencil. Then apply painter’s tape to the edges before brushing (perpendicularly in thin layers, without putting a big package).

Apply only one coat of paint

In the same way, be sure to apply several coats of paint on the furniture for an optimal result. Allow at least two coats, four for black.

Do not pass varnish

Then it is worth applying a varnish for finishing. After painting, this product allows you to refine the furniture. Today, there are water-based and solvent-free varnishes. Depending on your desires, select a transparent, matte or glossy varnish.

Not letting it dry long enough

Finally, do not underestimate the drying time. When you have finished your paint job, insulate the piece of furniture for two or three days.

To note : if you want to repaint outdoor furniture in dark tones, know that it is not necessarily a good idea. In areas with high sunlight, dark furniture will attract the sun and the wood may burn.

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Paint to use: which paint to choose?

There are several paints for furniture, to choose from depending on the material:

  • wood furniture paint. Note that most furniture paints work on wood;
  • metal furniture paint. You will find it in the form of a spray can to facilitate the work and limit the traces of brushes. For outdoor furniture, select an anti-rust iron paint;
  • plastic paint (e.g. for plastic garden furniture). You will find grip paints for PVC, glycero paint or latex paint. And to avoid brush marks, choose a spray paint instead.

In any case, when making your choice in a DIY store, take these different criteria into consideration:

  • the paint must be adapted to the material (wood, metal, plastic, formica, etc.);
  • it must also be easy to maintain (washable);
  • also select the desired finish (matte, shiny, satin, etc.).

Finally, if you want to avoid undercoating, choose a paint that is darker than the original piece of furniture.

Prepare the furniture: how to proceed ?

Before painting your furniture to give it a new look, it should be prepared by following these steps:

  • first, remove and replace the damaged elements (twisted nails, hinges, locks in poor condition, missing dowels, etc.);
  • then, if the furniture was waxed, apply a polisher following the manufacturer’s instructions;
  • if the furniture was painted, sand it or use a paint stripper;
  • fill holes and cracks. With wooden furniture, use wood putty;
  • also make sure the surface is smooth when you run your hand over it;
  • finally, clean your furniture, not with plenty of water, but by dusting it with a vacuum cleaner and passing a damp sponge. Don’t forget to properly dry your piece of furniture.

Note: of course, before starting your painting work on furniture, do not forget to protect the area!

The painting

Step number one is to apply the first coat of paint. Depending on your furniture, clear the corners using an angled brush. Then use the roller to paint the flat surfaces.

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If your new furniture paint is darker than the old one, you will also need to apply an undercoat.

Then the next step is to apply the second coat of paint using the roller. Note that it is normal to perceive the original color.

On the other hand, be aware that you must sand lightly between each coat to improve the adhesion of the paint. And before each application, pass the brush to remove the dust.

Finally, respect the drying time by letting the second coat sit for at least eight hours.

Easily find a can of paint!

Painting involves many aspects that sometimes have to be taken into account in order to achieve the result you want.

So, know that if you want to paint any piece of furniture, which could correspond to your expectations and your desires, it is possible to find what you are looking for.

For this, it is important to select the paint you want, which will allow you to bring a satisfactory result. And for that, we have the ideal solution for you, which is none other than a site with a wide range of choices and spray paints.

This site, which is none other than Urban Painters, will allow you to benefit from a wide choice of products, and therefore, a wide choice of colors, which could correspond to your expectations.

Be aware that many spray paints are available in different formats, thus bringing you great satisfaction. In particular, it is possible to direct you to this link to benefit from a spray paint you want.

In particular, you will have to deal with real professionals, who will be able to provide you with great help when necessary! So, if you want to own a piece of furniture that matches your tastes, head to this site!

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