Painting Wooden Furniture: How To Do It And Some Tips
Do you want to remodel your closets, but you don’t know how to start? In this article we will give you some tips to make them look like new. Painting wooden furniture is simple and you just have to take into account a few precise indications.
Wood is such a noble material that it is present in most homes. Whether in the form of tables, chairs, doors, dressers and ornaments.
It happens that it is so versatile and durable that it gives us infinite possibilities for recycling and reconditioning. In other words, from the same piece, we can have different styles over time without having to invest in a new piece of furniture.
Characteristics and advantages of wooden furniture
Choosing wooden furniture brings us many advantages, some of which we will review below:
- Wood brings warmth to the home: being a material of natural origin, a decorated environment feels cozy and very comfortable.
- It is a classic that will never go out of style. A wooden furniture will always be current regardless of the trends of the moment.
- Wooden furniture is easy to clean and to repair or restore.
- They are very durable products, so many become a heirloom and family tradition that is passed from generation to generation.
How to paint wooden furniture?
Painting wooden furniture is simple, although it has its secrets. The most important thing about both options that we present below is that you must carefully follow each of the steps without omitting any.
Also, respect the materials that we suggest because not all inks or paints can be applied to wood. With that said, let’s move on to the first option.
Paint a colorful wooden furniture
For this alternative, the first thing we are going to do is sand the entire surface well. This step is essential and is the basis for our final work to be like that of a professional.
With the sandpaper we will remove the remains of varnish, dirt, grease and others. Remember that you must pass the sandpaper in the direction of the grain of the wood.
When you notice that there are no old remains of paint or varnish, you will have to wipe with a cloth to remove the dust that has been circling. If you don’t remove it, the paint you apply afterwards won’t stick.
Now we are going to put the primer. It is a paint that is applied to the wood before shaking it in the color we have chosen.
Let it dry for a few hours and when it is dry you can give it the first coat of the final paint. Surely you should give more than one coat, so you will have to let each of them dry.
Finally, apply a coat of colorless varnish (matte or glossy) to protect the paint and make it last longer intact.
Regarding the materials, you will need a brush for the corners and grooves and a roller (foam or wool). The sizes and materials will vary depending on the dimensions of the furniture and what is most comfortable for you to work with.
Restoring a piece of furniture with varnish
In this second option we are going to work with varnishes to remodel a wooden furniture. The varnish can be colorless or have some shade. The choice will depend on how the base wood is.
The first thing we are going to do is remove the stains from the wood using the products that come for this purpose. Then, we are going to pass a medium-grit sandpaper to remove the remains of previous varnish and other imperfections from the furniture. To give it a good scratch-free finish, the ideal is to use a fine steel wool.
Next we will apply a first ink that is similar to the primer of the previous point. In this way, the final ink will settle better on the wood. It comes in the form of an oil or a spray .
Once it has dried well, we will go over a sandpaper, but this time it is fine-grained. This will help the next coat of paint to set better. After sanding we will pass a cloth to remove the dust.
Now comes the time for the main ink. The first coat should be thinly diluted, while the second a little thicker. It is important to let it dry for at least 24 hours between coats of paint.
General tips to keep in mind when painting a wooden furniture
We will give you some tips that are important when starting the reform of your wooden furniture. Many times we want to imitate a design that we have seen out there, but it cannot always be applied to the furniture we have at home.
What elements to choose?
When you go to choose the paint make sure it is suitable for what you want to do. Read the manufacturer’s labels and instructions well before buying it and, especially, when applying it.
For example, if we want to restore an outdoor furniture, the varnish must be more resistant to water and the sun. In the case that the material is wicker, the ideal is a spray so that it penetrates well in all the nooks and crannies.
When it comes to work items, the variety of brushes and rollers can be overwhelming. In this sense, the most important thing is to take into account the furniture that you have to paint.
For wide and smooth surfaces a roller is best, because brushes can leave marks with their bristles. When it comes time to work on moldings, angles and corners we suggest you switch to a brush.
Assembled or disassembled furniture?
It is the million dollar question. Again, it will depend on the type of furniture. If it is easy to disassemble, we recommend that you do it to make sure you reach all its corners and that everything is protected with the paint.
If it definitely can’t be disassembled, then remove those parts like handles, drawers, and shelves to at least make the task of sanding and painting easier.
Is the primer mandatory?
Yes. It is for a matter of saving time and painting. After priming, the wood is ready to work and will help the finish to be optimal. Always check what type your furniture needs.
What do I paint first and how?
We are going to paint from the inside out. We start with the moldings and corners with the help of a brush, and then move on to the larger surfaces with a roller.
The direction to follow to pass both the brush and the roller is in favor of the grain of the wood. It is not recommended to overload the brush to prevent the paint from dripping.
Painting wooden furniture at home is rewarding
There are two moments that are very important when we paint a wooden furniture: the beginning and the end. Make sure you prepare the surface well before painting and don’t fall prey to the anxiety of finishing quickly.
A clean surface free of impurities and dirt will guarantee that the paint will set. If the furniture has many imperfections, you can apply putty in the tone most similar to the furniture.
Finally, the finish that we want to give it is the last step to make us look perfect. Whether it’s varnishing it, applying products to make the wood look aged, or opting for a crackle, the options are endless.
