Whether you plan to repaint a piece of furniture or want to give new life to a wooden accent piece on the wall, there are certain steps that must be taken if you want professional results. One of the most important things you can do for your home is ensure that all improvements are done according to expert standards, especially if you want to see those results last for years after application. Your home is a huge investment, likely the largest one you will ever make. Therefore, it is imperative that you take care of that investment by keeping its wooden surfaces beautiful and protected with quality paint.
Preparation
You absolutely cannot apply a single drop of paint without thoroughly preparing your piece of furniture for the project. If not prepped properly, any paint applied will quickly begin to chip and peel, and it will not last nearly as long as prepped furniture would last. Clean the wood thoroughly, especially if it was brought out from a dusty area, and remove all drawers to be worked on separately.
Sand
Once cleaned completely, sand the piece down to remove any glossy finish to ensure the paint can “grab” onto the wood with less trouble. A medium-grit sandpaper is enough to handle this part of the project, but you do not need to sand it all the way down to the bare wood if you only plan to paint the furniture. If the surface of the furniture is not finished with a glossy layer, you may be able to skip this step.
Prime
Once cleaned, sanded, and dried, apply a quality primer to ensure the color of your paint comes out clear and beautiful. This will allow your paint to more easily adhere to the surface of the wood and will also allow any discoloration or stains to be covered. You could paint this on with a brush or choose to spray it on if you do not mind paying for additional equipment.
Sand Again
Do not sand with a medium-grit paper for this portion. Instead, switch over to a fine-grit sandpaper and lightly sand your piece between each and every coat of paint. This will allow you to retain the professional look of your finish, but be sure that you remove all of the sanding dust before you begin to apply another layer.
Paint
Finally, you can begin painting your piece of furniture. One option could be to use an interior latex paint with a semi-gloss finish. Flat finishes are something that are not recommended for furniture because they may be more difficult to clean and will show fingerprints and other smudges more easily. Remember to sand with a fine-grit sandpaper between each coat and apply two to three thin coats of paint.
Protect
Once you have your piece painted to perfection and are happy with the results, allow the paint to dry for a minimum of 24 hours. Once dry, seal your furniture to provide an additional layer of protection that will also create an easy to clean surface. If you plan to paint the furniture white, do not use polyurethane since the sealant may yellow over time, but it should work great with any other paint color. Allow the seal to dry and simply begin enjoying your newly painted piece of furniture.
Marc Poulos began his real estate and financial services career, but he soon realized that his true passion was beautifying homes. He started working with various small craftsman shops before serving an apprenticeship with the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. His commitment to excellence won him Top Apprentice from Washburne trade school in Chicago – the country’s premier school of its kind.
