Kinds of Paint to Use on a Finished Desk

Oil Vs. Latex

• You can use either oil-based or latex paint to paint wood furniture. Oil-based or alkyd paint, is a solvent-based product that provides high durability, making it a good choice for furniture that receives a lot of use and abuse. On the other hand, oil-based paints take longer to dry, have a strong odor and require the use of mineral spirits for clean up.

  Latex or acrylic paint is a water-based product. The paint dries quickly, allowing you to apply two coats in the same day, if you choose, for a strong durable finish. The paint has low odor and easy clean up with soap and water. Both kinds of paint are available in a wide range of colors and are suitable for use on a finished desk, as long as you prepare the surface properly.

Gloss

• All paints come in a choice of gloss finishes. High-gloss paints provide a tough washable surface, but are generally more suited for high-traffic uses. Surfaces painted with high-gloss paint have a brilliant shine that cleans up easily, but imperfections are more noticeable.

  Low-gloss paints are available in a choice of finishes. Semi-gloss, less durable than a high-gloss finish, provides a softer look. Satin or egg shell finishes are even softer, while still providing a bit of shine to the surface. They have more sheen than flat paint and are easier to clean. Flat paint has a dull finish, but it hides imperfections well. Marks do not clean up easily from a flat finish. Flat paint is better suited to painting walls than furniture.

Preparation

• Preparing the desk is essential for a satisfactory end result. No matter what kind of paint you choose, you must remove the shine from the surface so that the wood can accept the paint. Sand all surfaces lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to dull the finish, or apply a liquid de-glosser to break down the finish and leave a tacky surface for the paint to adhere to. Sand down rough places on the desk and fill in nicks with wood filler. Apply a stain-blocking primer to seal and protect the surface. Primers are available in both oil-based and water-based options that prevent stains from bleeding through the final paint coat.

Painting

• After the primer dries completely, it's time to paint the desk. A paintbrush allows you to get into all of the crevices of the desk. Two thin coats of paint are preferable to one thick coat. Paint in the direction of the wood grain for best results. Wait at least 48 hours before placing objects on the desk. Allow more drying time in more humid weather.