How to Paint a Prefinished Desk

A prefinished desk is one that has been stained or sealed before you purchased it, as opposed to an unfinished piece which is just bare wood. Prefinished furniture can have a variety of finishes, including lacquer, polyurethane or shellac. Painting prefinished furniture requires roughing up the existing finish so the paint will stick properly to the piece and not bubble or streak. If you apply the paint correctly, the surface will not show the roughing from the sanding process.

Screwdriver, Phillips or flathead
Dishwashing liquid
Sponge
Towel
150-grit and 220-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Water-based interior primer
Foam paint brushes
Semi-gloss interior paint

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the handles or any other hardware from the desk. Use whatever screwdriver fits the screws on your specific piece. Set the hardware aside.
- 2
  Fill the sink with warm water and add dishwashing liquid until you can make suds. Wash the desk with the soapy water using a soft sponge. Rinse the desk with water and dry it with a towel.
- 3
  Sand the desk with a 150-grit sandpaper until the finish loses its sheen. Sand the desk again with a 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Wipe the dust up with a tack cloth.
- 4
  Apply a thin, even layer of water-based, interior primer to the desk, using a foam paint roller. Wait for the primer to dry according to the package directions, then apply a second coat of primer.
- 5
  Wait for the second coat of primer to dry. Apply the first coat of a semi-gloss interior latex paint using even, overlapping strokes. Let the paint dry, then apply a second coat for a darker finish.
- 6
  Let the paint sit for 48 hours to cure. Reattach the hardware.

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