Tips for Painting Wood Furniture

Painting wood furniture can breathe new life into an old piece. You might find a unique dresser at a garage sale, or you might want to redesign something you already have. Either way, painting furniture gives it an entirely different look, and you have many different styles to choose from. Take a look at the following tips for painting wood furniture.

Choose the Look You Want

Before you get started, you need to choose the look that you want. This will be the basis for the rest of your decisions. You need to decide if you want the finish to be smooth, distressed, or modern. This will help you determine the finish for your paint and the types of brushes you need. If you want a distressed look, you can be more haphazard with your brush strokes, and you will want a flat finish. Modern pieces will use a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish with very even brush strokes.

Take the Time to Get the Piece Ready

It is important to prepare your piece of furniture before you start painting. You should sand it first to make sure that it is smooth and free of flaws. Even if the piece is new and in decent shape, you can sand it to make sure that you don’t miss anything. Once you finish sanding, you can brush it off and use a damp cloth to make sure that it is free of any particles, dust, or debris.

Use Good Quality Paint Brushes and Small Rollers

Your paintbrush can make a big difference in how your furniture turns out. If you use lower quality brushes, it may shed bristles or leave uneven marks behind. High-quality brushes are made to perform well, and your paint job will look smoother and more professional when you are finished. You can also use small foam rollers for larger surfaces. This will save you time, and your furniture will look better once it is painted.

Start with Primer and Finish with a Sealer

You should use primer before you paint because it will even out the surfaces, and the paint will adhere to it well. It will also ensure that the old paint color or the color of the wood doesn’t show through once you finish painting. When you finish, you can use a sealer to protect your paint job. You can use a polyacrylic sealer to protect your furniture from wear and tear. This will keep it looking great for years to come.

Give the Paint Time to Harden

It is also important to make sure that you give the paint time to harden before you use the furniture. The paint will dry before it cures, and if you use it too soon, you can damage your paint job. It can take as long as 30 days for latex paint to cure, so you should give it some time, and be very gentle with it for the first month.