Summer is the season of garage sales and those old pieces of furniture are plentiful. Whether you get a piece of furniture from somebody else or just want to bring new life to something currently in your home, painting it can seem like a difficult task. Knowing what to do, how to do it, and what to do it with are all questions we hear whenever somebody wants to paint their furniture. Here are some tips to make your old piece look brand new.
Some people will tell you that you don’t need to sand your furniture before painting, and some primers and paints promise that it won’t be necessary either. However, sanding is always a must before painting wooden furniture. By sanding with 150-grit sandpaper, you lightly rough up the exterior of the furniture, making it easier for the primer to adhere to the surface. This allows you to get a smoother, richer, and more even paint job on your furniture.
After sanding, it’s important to wipe away any preexisting residue or shavings that are on the furniture. If the piece that you’re painting has any residue or shavings on it, it will create an uneven and rough paint job. Using a microfiber tack cloth will keep from any lint or paper from adhering to the surface, so opt for that instead of a towel or paper towel.
Using primer on your furniture will fill in any small cracks and completely cover the natural color of the wood to make painting much easier and more effective. The primer not only covers the natural color of the furniture, it also gives the paint a smooth and even surface to adhere to easily so no unwanted bubbles or divots form on your first coat of paint. It also allows you, in some cases, to only need one top coat of paint as opposed to multiple. After applying the first coat of primer, let it dry for a few hours, then come back to see how the piece looks. If it has a slightly yellowish color, then it will need another coat of primer. If it is a solid white, then you’re ready to paint your piece!
Now that the prep work, for the most part, is done, it’s time to start painting your furniture. Depending on what color and texture you’re looking for, a semi-gloss latex based paint is the optimal choice for painting furniture. At Ricciardi Brothers, we offer various different brands for your convenience, including the ever-popular Benjamin Moore and Ricciardi Brothers brand. Use a mini foam roller to get a nice, even coat of paint and let it dry for 6 to 8 hours before putting another coat on. Make sure you sand any bubbles or bumps out of your previous coat before adding the next coat for a smooth finish. Remember to paint from the top down, that way if any dripping occurs from the top, you can smooth it out when you paint the bottom.
After painting your furniture, it’s always a good idea to put a coat of protective finish on in order to preserve the paint from chipping or fading easily. Make sure you go lightly with your foam roller to release any bubbles in the coat before letting it dry. After applying this final coat, let the piece dry for around 72 hours, otherwise, you risk your furniture being sticky while using it. After that, clean up and enjoy your newly painted furniture.
Painting a piece of furniture can be a journey, and we at Ricciardi Brothers are here to help you every step of the way. With 45 convenient locations, throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, chances are that there is a Ricciardi Brothers store just a short drive away from your home. Our paint professionals will help you with anything you need from choosing brushes to finding the perfect color to match your living room. Come into Ricciardi Brothers or contact us today and prime yourself for your next paint job.
