Painting Wooden Furniture Pieces

When furniture gets old, paint will inevitably start to fade. But that doesn’t have to be the end. The application of a fresh coat of paint can revitalize the look of old furnishings, giving them a brand new life even after years of stalwart service. That can allow you to use furnishings for a new child on the way, or even to store them then restore them when the next generation comes along.

The best environment to paint wooden furniture pieces in is one that is well ventilated and open. Outdoors is best, but if working in an interior environment you should be sure to open all windows, and consider the use of fans to circulate the air so that fumes do not accumulate. You also want to remove any clutter that might get in the way, and put a tarp or drop cloth down to protect the surface below from spills and splatters.

The first step is to sand the piece thoroughly in order to remove any old paint or lacquer that is still coating the surface. This is necessary so that the new application goes on smooth and even with a strong bond. You can start off with 80 – 100 grit sandpaper, and then move on to 1500 grit or higher when the furniture piece is mostly stripped. During this process the use of a power sander is recommended as this can be a physically tasking undertaking. When finished a slightly damp cloth can be used to wipe it down and remove any lingering sawdust.

Next, you’ll need to prepare the surface of the furnishing for the paint to come. This is done by applying a primer, using either a brush or a spray bottle. Coat the piece in very thin layers, two to four times, allowing them to dry for at least 10 minutes between each. In general you will want to use white primer under light colors, and gray under darker tones.

Once the primer is dry you are finally ready to paint. Use an appropriately sized brush, and apply the paint in thin, even coats. This should dry very quickly, and you will generally be able to apply subsequent layers a few minutes after you are done with each. Fewer coats will give you a more natural wood grained look, while a thicker application will result in brighter effects.