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2020/12/18 14:15:55

Painting Furniture 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start It



A fresh coat of paint can transform any type of furniture into a magnificent work of art in just a day. It is a great way to refurbish old pieces or add personal touches to new units. The trick, however, lies in getting the paint job right. As with all important missions, it is essential that you do some research beforehand. It will give you a chance to learn from other people's mistakes and possibly save you time, money, and frustration.

So, to help you go into your painting project with eyes wide open, here are 10 important basics to keep in mind.

Not Every Paint Will Do




There is no paint job without the paint but not just any can of paint will do. Before you go shopping, consider:
  • What type of furniture are you painting? Outdoor furniture, for instance, requires more resilient paint indoor furniture. 
  • What look are you hoping to achieve? Glossy and elegant or shabby chic?
  • What material of furniture are you painting?; Leather, metal, wood?
  • How much time do you have for the project?; Different paints have different curing times.

The following is a comparison of types of different paints to aid you in deciding which furniture paint is best for your project. 

Latex Paint


Latex paint is a go-to option if you are keen on getting a paint that is available in a wide variety of colors. It is also available in different finishes such as matte and satin. On the flip side, the lack of resins in its formula means it reflects light poorly which can give your furniture a dull look. It is equally prone to chipping as it only forms a superficial layer.

Recommended for: low-use furniture that requires vibrant color.

Acrylic Paint




Acrylic paint is water-based and works great for different materials of the furniture. It delivers a lustrous finish which makes colors appear richer and more elegant. This even finish also makes it easier to clean your furniture. It cures relatively fast which makes it ideal where multiple coats are necessary.  While it is more resilient than latex paint, it can still chip when scuffed or subjected to similar kinds of heavy usage.

Recommended for: furniture projects that require fuller and long-lasting coverage.

Chalky Paint




This type of paint is the kind you may find on rustic furniture. It is a water-based paint that has latex properties but offers a denser consistency than the original latex paint. It dries quickly and copes well with coating. It requires some skill to conceal the painting strokes of chalky paint. You could, however, embrace their visibility as a shabby chic aesthetic. 
Recommended for: light coverage and rustic furniture painting projects.

Oil Paint




Due to its oil base, oil paint has the smoothest consistency. It does not chip easily and reflects light quite well. When applied, it seeps into the porous surface and is thus suitable even for previously painted furniture. Nevertheless, it can be tedious to apply in coats as it requires about a day to cure between applications. You might also have a hard time finding it in stores as it is less-preferred lately due to high VOC emissions. 

Recommended for: durable coverage for heavy-use furniture.

Take Your Time When Choosing Color



Your preferences will be the first guiding light as you consider what color to paint furniture. That said, you will be stuck with your choices for a while so take as much time as you need when choosing.
In addition to color swatches, ask your local dealer for samples and test them on a surface similar to your furniture. You could also lookup images of the piece you intend to paint just to see how it looks in different colors. This may give you an idea of what your final product could look like or inspire new color ideas.
It is advisable to find out whether the color of paint you are hoping for is available in the type of paint you require. Additionally, keep in mind that one shade of color can look different depending on the texture of the paint. Test as many options as you need to until you are content with your choice of color.

Your Choice of Painting Tools Matters




Each painting tool or applicator delivers a different kind of finish from the next. This will affect the overall appearance of your furniture after painting. When choosing what brush to paint furniture with, you may also want to consider the nature of the surface you are painting. Rough surfaces, for example, require tougher bristles.

Your tool options include: 

Brushes - they cover more surface area which could help you paint faster but the strokes may remain visible. The type of paint matters as well; oil-based paint requires natural bristle brushes while water-based paints can work with synthetic bristle types.

Rollers - the beauty of rollers is that they leave no stroke marks and they cover a large area. However, they may not fit into small hard-to-maneuver spaces.

Clothes and Sponges- these require a skilled hand to use as they can either deliver great painting effects or become a blotting disaster. 

Spray nozzles - spray-painting is ideal for any kind of application and it delivers the best nook and cranny coverage. It is also recommendable for overly slippery or rough surfaces as there is no contact involved. Nevertheless, you have to be careful when choosing where to spray paint furniture to avoid staining adjacent pieces or surfaces.

To Sand or Not to Sand?




For any painting project, preparing the surface to be painted makes a significant difference in the final result. It is important that the surface is clean, smoothened, and dry before you begin painting. Debris can cause the paint not to adhere properly to the surface which would lead to it chipping in no time. Painting on a rough surface would also yield a bumpy unsightly paint job. 
It is for these reasons that sanding your furniture before painting comes highly recommended. A sanding machine may make the process easier but some people attest to better results from sanding by hand. Ensure to drape all adjacent surfaces and wear proper protective gear. 

Explore Alternatives to Sanding



Sanding large pieces of furniture can be very tasking and sometimes even impossible. It could also be that you are pressed for time or do not have enough room to sand without spreading dust all over your space. Whichever the case, here are some tips on how to paint furniture without sanding.

  • Apply a bonding primer to help the layer of paint settle better despite any roughness/debris on the surface.
  • Instead of sanding by hand which can be tedious and time-consuming, you could apply a deglosser on the furniture surface. It will chemically peel off most of the top layer.
  • Use a dense type of paint like oil-based paint or milky paint. Their thicker consistency hides imperfections lurking underneath.

Invest in Primer



In most cases, the difference between a durable and short-lived paint job is a primer. It does not necessarily have to be a bonding primer. Simply aim for one that is of good quality and is compatible with the type of paint you will be using. 

What does primer do? 
  • It helps the paint adhere better to your furniture's surface. This is helpful for paints like latex paint which only bond superficially on surfaces.
  • It prevents underlying paint from tainting the color of the fresh layer of paint you will apply.

Remember to allocate some time for the primer to dry and settle before you apply the first coat of paint. 

Coating Requires Patience and Planning




Coating refers to applying multiple layers of paint. It helps conceal errors, create a denser finish, and make some colors more vivid. If you intend to apply multiple coats, factor in curing times as you plan your painting session. Each type of paint takes different durations to dry. Factors like the weather equally influence how long curing will take. If you do not allocate this step enough time, you might end up with an epic painting disaster.

Finish Right




When all the layers of paint are dry, applying a layer of topcoat helps hold it all together. It acts as a protective layer against chipping and dirt and also elevates the aesthetic of the paint by livening it up with some sheen. There are different kinds of topcoat finishes. They vary based on the amount of sheen they deliver. Your options include:

  • Matte finish- if you prefer for your furniture not to stand out too much or would like a rustic look, a matte finish would serve you well.
  • Satin finish - a little gloss goes a long way in avoiding dull-looking furniture. Satin is a great balance of gloss as it offers a sheen that is not overstated.
  • High-gloss finish- if you would like to make more of a statement, aim for a high-gloss topcoat. It is best for a dramatic look as it shines so much that it is reflective. It tends to work well with dull colors with low reflective capacity.

Painting Requires Caution




There is always a risk of staining other surfaces while painting. Make an effort to have enough drapes to prevent sputter issues. Where possible, it may be better to simply paint outdoors. Especially as ventilation is recommended to counter the effects of chemicals in some paints.
Speaking of chemicals, it is worth it to invest in gloves and overalls to shield yourself from the paint. It may prove hard to wash off and some people suffer adverse reactions too. If you will be using a spray gun, add a face shield, goggles, and a mask to your shopping list as paint spray tends to sputter.
Always air out your furniture for a day or two even after it is dry. More so for units like bedroom furniture and living room furniture that would expose you to direct contact with paint fumes. 

DIY Furniture Painting Is Not For Everyone



Perhaps as you read through each segment, the idea of painting your own furniture seemed less appealing with each step. Fair enough, DIY projects are not for everyone. Still, that does not mean you have to be stuck with furniture you do not like. You can always consult reputable furniture manufacturers about custom furniture for your home or office decor.

An online platform would be a good place to start your search. Alternatively, for a first-hand experience of the manufacturer's work and a chance to negotiate, in-person visits may be best. Furniture fairs would be ideal for such consults as they bring together thousands of manufacturers all under one roof. 

Conclusion

Understanding the nature and requirements of a furniture painting project before you begin, will help you prepare better and possibly get better results. It could also help you decide whether you would get more value from the DIY project or whether you should cut your losses and buy new furniture. So, now that you have a better understanding of the furniture painting process, what's your take? Yay or nay?

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