Have you got some old furniture that you would like to paint and give it a fresh and new look? You can add new life to your décor. The availability of vivid colors allows you to be creative and original in your decorating. You can match your interior design with newly painted furniture. To repaint old furniture also costs less than replacing it with new one. The process itself is relatively simple, requiring a few basic tools and some time.
Here are some helpful steps for making work quick in your next furniture painting project.
Prepare the area for the painting project. Have a cloth on the floor, and open any windows and doors to allow plenty of ventilation. If it is possible, work outside. Put the furniture that is to be painted on the cloth.
Remove all of the hardware from your furniture. This will help you to ensure that the hardware is paint-free when you re-attach it, and that the entire piece will be adequately covered with paint in case if you decide to use different hardware.
Sandpaper the surface of the furniture. Lightly sand the piece to remove any glossy finish. You do not have to remove the old finish completely, just lightly rough up the surface to give the new paint something to adhere to. The goal is to remove any protective varnish or lacquer that is on the surface of the wood, making it easier to the primer coat to adhere.
If you do not want to see the brush strokes, you may use spray paint. Hold the can about a foot away from your furniture and spray back and forth, in a sweeping motion. Let the piece fully dry, and then check to make sure you've got it completely covered.
If you are not concerned about seeing brush strokes, and plan to use a paint brush, it is best to use a flat-finish brush. Apply two coats of paint, sanding lightly between coats with sandpaper.
After allowing plenty of time for the paint to dry, it is a good idea to protect your newly painted finish. Use a water-based lacquer, polyurethane or a thin coat of clear paste wax to increase the paint durability.
Let dry overnight and then re-attach you hardware and/or doors.