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Can You/Should You Paint Over Wood Furniture? (How To)

Painting the wood furniture

We often give special consideration to the furniture in our home. It is something that we live on and something that we look at every day. If you have some wood furniture, is it possible to paint over it?

Any type of wood can be painted as long as you prepare it properly. This would include sanding the surface and removing any dirt, grease, or dust before adding a primer and then painting. Painting wood is a great way to add beauty to a home and longevity to the wood piece.

As you will learn throughout this article, there are many things that can be done to make the wood furniture in your home look beautiful. All of them include painting, and it is something that you can consider for even brand-new pieces of furniture.

We will discuss many different factors as to how this can be accomplished. You can use any type of paint for wood furniture, although some are better suited for certain types of furniture.

In addition, it’s always a good idea to consider both the method and the tools that are used for painting furniture. With a little bit of know-how and the right tools with you, you can make your furniture look beautiful in any color you like.

Can You/Should You Paint Over Wood Furniture? (How To)

As you’ll see, it is possible to paint any piece of furniture in the home. Doing so adds beauty and can even increase the usefulness of the furniture in many cases.

Although it is possible to do so, it is quite another issue to consider if you should be painting your furniture or not. This is something that is debatable, and it really depends upon you as to why you would want to paint it.

Here are some of the most common reasons why people paint furniture.

1. Color – There is no easier way to add color to a room than by painting a piece of furniture. Unlike the walls, floor, or ceiling, painting a piece of furniture adds an accent of color rather than changing the entire color scheme.

2. Updated – Let’s face it, there are going to be times when we want to update the furniture in our home. It can be expensive to purchase new furniture, and we don’t always want to get rid of the old furniture we may have.

Adding a fresh coat of paint to your furniture is an excellent way to update it. It adds a fresh look and at the same time, does so without the great expense that new furniture carries with it.

3. Damage – Sometimes, we may have a piece of furniture that has become damaged. When that occurs, we can paint over the furniture and make it look new rather than trying to repair it and make the original finish match.

Of course, there may be some work that is necessary to repair the furniture prior to the time that you paint it. Paint will cover the old finish but any damage is going to show through, aside from a few small scratches that may, at times, be covered.

4. Style – If there is one thing that all of us are interested in doing, it’s having our own, personal style at home. This is true of everyone, regardless of whether you are a minimalist or somebody who loves trinkets. Painting furniture updates the look of the home so that it matches you and your personality.

Of course, these are only a few of the many different reasons why you may consider painting furniture. Quite honestly, you don’t need a reason to do it, you just need a desire for the new look that paint can provide.

How To Paint Over Wood Furniture Properly

Painting the wood furniture

Painting wood furniture is somewhat of an art form. It is also something that is well within the reach of most DIY enthusiasts. Here is the right way to do it.

The most important factor for painting wood furniture is to prepare the surface properly. Without preparing in advance, you will not have a good result because the paint will likely peel or chip quickly. In addition, preparing the surface allows you to cover the original color without it showing through.

We will discuss preparing the surface for paint further in this article. It is also important to consider a number of other factors, including choosing the right type of paint and choosing the right type of equipment. We will look into this first.

Choosing Your Equipment:

When you paint a piece of furniture, you want it to look beautiful. If you use the right paint brushes, this can be achieved and you won’t even see a brushstroke.

When you go to the store and look at paint brushes, you will likely be surprised by the number of different options you have. Those options also carry different price tags, and you certainly need to stay within your budget.

Then again, you should always opt for the highest quality brush you can afford. Paintbrushes should not be a one-time use item, they should be cleaned and cared for so they last for a very long time.

The basic choice you have for painting furniture is whether to use synthetic or natural bristles.

Synthetic bristles tend to work better for water-based paint that is thinner. This includes milk paint, which is a very popular type of paint used on furniture.

The reason why synthetic bristles work better is that they don’t absorb as much of the water from the paint. In other words, more of the paint, even though it is thin, will end up on the surface.

If you are using a thicker type of paint, such as chalk paint or any paint based on minerals, you should use a natural bristle brush.

Bristle brushes hold more paint than synthetic brushes and for thicker paint, this means you will have fewer brush marks showing. Always get the highest quality bristle brush you can to avoid having the bristles fall out as you are painting.

Choosing Your Paint:

Acrylic Paint – This is one of the more popular types of paint and it is a form of mineral paint. Acrylic paint will provide a washable and waterproof surface but it is still a good idea to seal it if you use the piece of furniture regularly.

Milk Paint – This type of paint provides a flat finish and can be used by any DIY enthusiast easily because it does not leave brushstrokes. It will require a protective finish.

Chalk Paint- This is a common type of paint and is very popular for painting wood furniture. It creates a chalky type finish that can easily adhere to any surface. Although you may hear that chalk paint can be used without preparing the surface, it is always best to prepare it in advance.

Here are the steps to paint wood furniture flawlessly:

1. Prepare – if at all possible, paint your furniture in an area that is well ventilated or outdoors. You should sand the furniture with 150 grit sandpaper to remove the old finish and rough up the surface so the primer will adhere to it. Use a tack cloth to wipe down the furniture before priming. Remove any fixtures or use painter’s tape to cover them

2. Prime – Even if you are using paint with a primer included, you should use a primer first. A coat of primer will cover the underlying color and allow the paint to stick and cover with fewer coats.

3. Paint – Begin painting the furniture. Use several light coats instead of one heavy coat because it will stick to the wood furniture better and look better.

4. Finish – It is a good idea to apply some type of protective finish to the furniture, especially if you are going to use it regularly. Some finishes can easily be sprayed on for a brushmark-free job.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/13/2022.

Can You Paint Wood Table?

If you have a wood table, can it be beautified with paint?

Painting a wood table is an easy way to bring new life to it. You will have to prepare the wood properly by sanding it and priming it but then you can paint it any color you like.

Be sure that you use some type of protective finish when painting the table. Doing so will help the color to last much longer and you can use the table every day for many years.

Can You Paint Wood Chairs

Painting the wood furniture

If you have some wood chairs, can you use a coat of paint to brighten them up and change the look of the room?

Painting wood chairs is a worthwhile job for any DIY enthusiast. Take the time to sand the chairs with 150 grit sandpaper and get into all of the nooks and crannies. Add some primer and then paint the chair the color of your choice.

You may also find that using a protective finish on your paint is a good idea, especially if the chairs are used on a regular basis. It is also a good idea to opt for low VOC paint to avoid as many fumes as possible.

Can You Paint Over Finished Wood Furniture?

If you have wood furniture that is already finished, can you just paint directly over it?

Even finished wood furniture can be painted as long as you prepare the surface in advance of painting it. This is done by sanding the surface to rough the original finish and then using a quality primer to cover the original color.

As you paint the furniture, it is best if you use several thin coats rather than opting for a single, thicker coat. This has the benefit of covering the color easier and making for a much more beautiful finished product.

Some people will tell you that you can paint over finished wood furniture without sanding. They may even give you a method or two, but you should not use them. Always prepare the wood first for the best job.

Can You Paint Over Cherry Wood Furniture?

Painting the wood furniture

If you have some cherry wood furniture, is it possible to change the color by painting it?

Any furniture made from cherry wood is going to last for a very long time. It is a durable type of wood so you can paint it and expect the piece to continue to provide you with years of service. As long as you prepare the surface properly and repair any damage in advance, you can change the look by painting it any color you like.

Preparation is especially important for cherry because it is a closed-grain type of wood. You should sand it in advance to allow the primer to adhere to it properly. You don’t have to fill the grain, but you should sand and clean it.

Can You Paint Over Varnished Wood Furniture?

Painting the wood furniture

If you have an old piece of furniture that is varnished, can you still paint over it?

You can paint over varnished wood furniture with acrylic-based or oil-based paint. You should also use the same type of primer, with a water-based primer for acrylic paint and an oil-based primer for oil paint.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 13, 2022.

It is also important to prepare the furniture in advance before you paint it. Sanding the varnished wood furniture prepares the surface so that the primer will adhere to it properly. Make sure you wipe the furniture down with a tack cloth before priming.

Can You Paint Over Dark Wood Furniture?

If you have some wood furniture that is already a dark color, can you paint it?

Dark wood furniture can be painted any color you like. In order to keep the darker color from showing through, you should use a high-quality primer and then at least three coats of good paint. Some pieces of furniture will also benefit from adding a sealer to the paint after you have painted it.

Don’t shy away from painting a piece of furniture just because it is dark. Dark wood can easily be covered with the right primer and enough coats of paint.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/13/2022.

Can You Paint Over Laminate Wood Furniture?

Painting the wood furniture

If you have laminate wood furniture, can you paint it successfully?

You can paint over laminate wood furniture but you have to prepare the surface because it is smooth and will not allow the paint to soak in. Sanding the surface in advance to rough it up and then using a quality primer is the best choice.

A big mistake that many people make when painting laminate wood furniture is they don’t allow enough time for the primer to dry. Depending upon the conditions in the home, it could take a day or longer for it to fully dry and cure.

Can You Paint Over Stained Wood Furniture?

If you have stained wood furniture, can you paint it or are you stuck with the stain color?

Stained wood furniture can be painted with the proper preparation. Depending on the stain and type of wood, you will have to sand it with 150 grit sandpaper and then apply a quality primer. After the primer has dried completely, you can continue painting it any color you like.

A darker stain will be more difficult to paint than a lighter stain. With the right type of primer and a few coats of quality paint, however, it will cover nicely and the darker stain will not show through.

Can You Paint Over Glossy Wood Furniture?

Painting the wood furniture

Even glossy wood furniture can be painted successfully if you prepare the wood in advance. Any type of paint can be used, but the wood should be sanded and you should use a quality primer before applying paint.

Can You Paint Over Black Wood Furniture?

With a quality primer under the paint, even black wood furniture can be covered easily. The real key to covering the darker color is to use a primer and then apply at least three thin layers of paint before you add a finish.

Can You Paint Over Wood Veneer Furniture?

Painting the wood furniture

As long as the veneer is free of defects, you can paint over it. It should be sanded and primed, just like any piece of furniture before you paint. If the veneer is chipping or has peeled away, the surface should be prepared properly and filled before you begin painting.

Can You Paint Over Plywood Wood Furniture?

You can use acrylic latex paint to cover plywood furniture with any color you choose. A quality primer would work well in advance of adding the paint so the paint doesn’t soak in and allow the grain in the plywood to show through.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 13, 2022.

You can easily paint over an old piece of wood furniture or even new wood furniture with the proper preparation. This would include sanding the wood with 150 grit sandpaper and then applying a high-quality primer that matches the paint. This two-step process before painting should not be overlooked.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 13, 2022.

Can You/Should You Paint Over Stained Wood? (How To)