I know. You guys are like, really? They’re sharing this today? It’s not 2010, but we think it’s a timeless question, and a topic worth revisiting. It’s been a minute for us. And yes, we are pretty confident in our title. I’m sticking with this one.
Because once upon a time, we painted furniture, and that’s how we started doing what we do today. Spoiler alert: We don’t do that professionally anymore, but I do love a good painted piece added to my home every now and again, right along with natural wood tones, too. A sweet reader wrote in the other day on insta, saying she spied my table in our derby day party post. She wondered if I could give any tips for painting it. You see, she’d just acquired the very same table as ours at a garage sale and was wondering about the right way to go about painting furniture.
So thus my overly confident title: we wanted to share how to paint furniture the right way.
This was one of our first tables purchased as newlyweds. It’s actually funny that this back room holds two pieces we’ve never parted with. I guess when you can re-purpose a piece in new ways, it never goes out of style when it has such a classic silhouette, 19 years later. And that’s when you know that a piece is worth repurposing, repairing and painting.
This dining table is large and in charge and perfect for all things entertaining. The only problem was, it was that high gloss, super dark, bombay-esque circa 2002 dark finish, that felt as if it belonged in a conference room. So we painted it. But we didn’t do it right the first time.
I was duped by those promises by paint companies that seem oh so trendy and easy at the time… Rhymes with Hawk Faint. It offers skipped steps to an amazing finish. But that wasn’t the case. I’m sure that in some forms, it works. But per my own experience, I thought it was valuable to revisit that today.
Here are some of our best tips.
1. Don’t Cheat
A good, classic, years-later painted piece starts by doing it right.
So don’t be fooled by newfangled paint companies who promise to be ‘the next thing’ where you can paint over any high varnish/veneer surface. They’re lying. It won’t last. We promise. Sorry, but true.
Getting that perfect coat comes with a few easy steps that you really can’t skip. You can give and take a little based on the piece itself because it would be silly to say that the same approach works for all. It all that comes with time and judgement and experience. But it means doing it right.
2. Prep it all properly
That means providing yourself with the best possible work environment and thinking through all the steps to make this happen. If you don’t have a studio, maybe you should move it to a nice, outdoor, open air area. Make sure that you’re equipped with the right drop cloths, paint, tools, and more. Because it’s worth the splurge. {More on that below.} But half the battle, is all in the prep work, and just getting started. So from painter’s tape to brushes for touchup, make sure you’re prepped with the right tools for the job before you even move on. In addition to what we’ll touch on below, here are a few other materials to consider:
• Drop cloths – We love that you can use them over and over again. They also provide a safe surface for your home
• FrogTape® – for any fun designs or tough edges. We always have a use for a good painters tape and placement.
• Wooster brushes + smaller artists brushes for hard to reach touchups.
• Masks – Yes, we’re tired of them too. ;}
This is an example of where I skimped a little, and didn’t sand. Because it was made of veneer. See below. But I wasn’t ABOUT to sand this piano. So just like we said above… be flexible. This piano has been perfectly fine besides a few natural nicks that are easily touched up over time. It’s not a table, or a highly worn piece, so I feel like you have to let the pieces speak to you, and go with your gut. Just use what we’re saying as an outline for a good rule of thumb to follow when it comes to all things furniture. Longest caption ever.
3. Sand it.
Do not pass go, do not pass 200 dollars. Sand your piece. As best as you possibly can. Just sand it down. {We recommend the mask for this bit, as well as spray painting below.}
Exceptions: if it’s made of laminate. Veneer. Something that looks akin to particle board. If it’s a sketchy material that looks like it just came right out of your great aunt’s 70’s furniture collection then skip to the next step below. But that’s the only exception and even then, you’re pushing it. If you want a classic piece, we recommend sanding your piece of furniture, as best you can. Even if it’s lightly, just to rough up the piece, even if it’s just by hand.
Palm sanders are the best for this type of sanding – they take up all those layers, and don’t leave awkward grooves, for one smooth finish.
Another piece we’ve had forever and just keep reusing it. When we moved, the moving company put a huge gash in this right upper cabinet door. We didn’t think it was repairable. But we loved it so much ,we wanted to give it a try. So we sanded it down, filled it with wood filler, and when it was dry, sanded it again.
Good. As. New.
And well worth that extra elbow grease since this is a solid wood piece that we paid with for the blood of our firstborn circa 2005.
I like it better in green, but I’m sure we’ll change it up again in another decade. Another testament to time and classic pieces worth mixing it up.
4. Clean it up.
Once you’re finished prepping and sanding, This is an important step lots of people like to skip. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Use your shop vac, or a blower, to get that initial layer of dust off. Then when you’re finished, wipe it down with a wet paper towel or rag, again and again and again. When you think you’re done, give it another pass. Sanding is messy, with lots of tiny particles which is hopefully, why you’ve moved it to a shop or outside, and it leaves a ton of dust behind. So clean it up again and again for that smooth finish.
5. Prime + Paint.
I’m putting these two together, because I like odd numbers and because again, it all depends on the piece. but they should definitely still be regarded as two separate steps.
Prime – we love this for the best product with all things coating it on. But don’t brush it on. Don’t roll it on, either. Depending on the piece, 1 – 2 coats.
The Wagner Paint Sprayer is your new best friend. We only wish we’d discovered it years before, because it would have made our lives so much easier. We painted our fence on our acre lot with it, this spring. We painted our entire addition with it. We painted the outside of our house with it. It’s amazing and we’re obsessed for a great go to. DO IT.
Paint – When you’re finished, {be sure to clean thoroughly in between} break out the paint. Again, don’t skimp. USE THIS. And spray it on. 1-2 coats.
Touch up any remaining areas with your brushes.
Clean up all the things and book yourself a massage… You’re done.
If this seems like an extra step to all things painting, it’s because they are extra. There are no magical cures, and that’s why a lot of people can’t be bothered. Once you make the initial investments in tools, however, and find that piece that will last you for the rest of your life because it’s oh so classic… it’s an amazing way to bring one of a kind pieces to your home!
This is what it takes. Listen to us, we promise this is how we do it.
We hope you have fun painting your next project, and that you have ALL the success in that process! {Especially if you heed our advice… but you don’t have to take my word for it :: Plays Reading Rainbow theme music::}
Have an inspired day!
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