It’s amazing what a good coat of paint can do to some pretty horrific furniture finds. As we’re contemplating a coat of red paint for a dilapidated table in our half bathroom, we thought it could be useful to share with Durham Magazine readers how we go about painting wooden furniture to take it from tired to attention-getting.
Step One: Remove any foreign objects that aren’t to be painted such as hinges and knobs. Line windows and other areas you don’t want painted with painters tape. If possible also remove any doors for separate painting. It is worth the time for a neater paint job.
Step Two: Look closely at what you’re painting. If your wood surface is slightly glossy or has another sheen that make you think it’s been treated or sealed then break out the sandpaper. We recommend a fine paper, around 100 grit. This will keep you from making too harsh of scratches in your wood that may show through with certain stains or paints. If you have unfinished wood or a matte painted finished you could likely get away with primer and paint, sans sandpaper.
Step Three: For most wood surfaces an oil-based primer is your best bet. It can be super-sticky so beware. Just cover the entire piece of furniture with a thin coat. You can use a roller or a brush. Give it plenty of time to try. We’d recommend around 4 hours, but look at the instructions printed on the can and follow those. If you skip the primer just know that you might need an extra coat of paint or two. Wood surfaces have a tendency to bleed through more easily when primer isn’t used. If you’re painting wooden furniture white we’d definitely go the extra step for a good coat of primer.
Step Four: Apply two or three THIN coats of latex paint to your furniture allowing the first coat to dry before going for the second. Thin coats = fewer brush strokes. Semi-gloss is a great choice because it’s wipeable without being so glossy that it shows every imperfection. Most latex paints come in quart sizes now too, which means you can go for a fun color and not have to splurge on a lot of extra paint. We usually use Benjamin Moore, Valspar or Glidden paints with great results. Rule of thumb: oil based primer + latex paint is okay. Oil based PAINT + latex paint = a bubbly disaster. Don’t buy a white oil-based paint thinking it can be used as primer with latex paint. You’ll have a mess on your hands.
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