Spring is finally here and we are all looking forward to those hot summer days. Before it gets too hot, it’s the perfect time to update the look of that old patio furniture. Reviving a piece of furniture with a fresh coat of paint is a rewarding and cost-effective household DIY project. Perhaps you want to change the color scheme on the patio this year or repair that old dresser. Either way painting furniture is a fun and easy weekend project with a little know how and preparation.
Although it may seem counter intuitive, even smaller projects like this can generate great benefits from being documented with your other projects in quinju.com. For example, details about type and formulation of the paints used on certain pieces will make it easier for repairs in the future. Even choosing the right paint can become a bigger task than expected and the easy home renovation planner tool will help collect and compare all the information for the right choice. As always, having everything on our online home remodeling tool will help you when shopping around for the products you need no matter where you go!
Painted furniture can freshen up the look of any space both indoor or on the patio. You can easily change your colours to coordinate with a room’s colour scheme. Some very good candidates for painting are dressers, tables, bookcases, mirror frames, patio tables and chairs or any non-upholstered chairs or bench.
Choosing the Paint Colours for Your Furniture
One of the most fun and creative parts of painting you own furniture is choosing the right hue to coordinate with the color scheme of the room the piece will be placed in. Keeping in mind that darker colors make pieces appear larger and this might be a consideration in a small space.
Bright colors and colours that contrast sharply with the walls and other furnishings will draw attentions to a piece and make it the focus of the room while lighter colors will help a piece blend in.
For a primer on colors and the mood they set you can check out our recent article on paint colors.
Many of the major paint suppliers have on-line color palates that will help you get started however you are better off to head to the paint store to see that color sample before you purchase it
Preparing Surfaces for Painting is Simple.
Just follow these steps:
1. Surface cleaning
The first step in painting outdoor furniture is to make certain that the wood is absolutely dry and free of mould and mildew. Be sure to check the undersides, too. There are plenty of products on the market today to get rid of mould on surfaces. If this step is required, follow the manufactures directions, rinse and let the piece dry thoroughly before proceeding.
2. Rough Sanding
Start with a medium-grit sandpaper to remove traces of dirt and residues from polishing or waxing compounds, which may cause adhesion problems for the primer or paint. The grit of sandpaper you choose will depend on the type of wood and the finish. Choose a grit that will break the gloss of the finish but not damage the wood. If you are refinishing metal furniture a wire brush might also come in handy to remove rust.
3. Repairing the surface
Repair cracks, joints that have expanded, and nail holes with a good wood-patching compound. After the compound has thoroughly dried, sand it down to make it even with the surrounding wood.
4. Fine Sanding
Using fine-grit sandpaper, emery cloth, or sanding block, lightly smooth the surface so that there are no drop-offs, or ledges, between sections of remaining finish and bare wood. Then wipe the entire surface with a damp, clean cloth to remove any remaining traces of dust and particles
5. Priming
Unless you are repainting a previously painted piece, you should prime the surface, particularly when bare wood has been exposed. In some cases, spot priming will do. If your piece is metal, the instructions for priming depend on the type of paint you are using. If the metal is galvanized or aluminum the manufacture may recommend a particular type. Then its as simple as brushing or spraying it on smoothly and evenly
Your project to this point might look something like this. Before you proceed to the painting stage, inspect the piece closely to insure you have all the necessary repairs completed. Your work at this stage will pay off in the look of the finished product.
Choosing the Right Paint
High-quality latex paints are easy to apply, easy to clean up, and create a smooth finish. When painted with care, they generally require no more than one coat. The type of finish will depend on whether your painted furniture will have a purely decorative function or a practical use. If the piece will be touched often, choose a protective gloss or semi-gloss finish that can be easily wiped clean. If you've primed the surface, one coat of paint should be enough. If you skipped the primer, you may want to apply a second coat. Let the furniture dry in a clean, dust-free, well-ventilated area. Don't leave it outside to dry, as wind and air will deposit dust and particles onto the wet surface.
How to Paint Your Furniture
The actual painting is the simplest and easiest step in the process. First, paint the larger, flat surfaces. Start near a corner, but not on the very edge, and work outward, brushing with the grain. Be sure to not overload your brush with paint. If you want a thicker coat, let the first coat dry before repainting rather than using too much paint the first time. Continue by painting the edges and trim. If there is too much paint on the brush when you brush up to or over an edge, some of the paint might run over, so be especially careful and wipe any drips or overflow immediately with a clean, damp cloth.
Finally, all that's left to do is let it dry and enjoy the beautiful results!
