Steps to Painting Furniture

Sand

• The first step is sanding. Unpainted wood furniture needs the lightest touch. Furniture to be repainted needs more serious sanding. The idea is to smooth out any bumps or imperfections and rough up the surface to give some "tooth" for the new paint to grab. Sanding is done with fine sandpaper--about 100 to 120 grit. When the piece is sanded, it has to be wiped down with a clean rag or vacuumed to remove all the dust and grit.

Prime

• Some people skip this step and that is rarely a good idea. Primer is the real canvas for the final paint job. It gives a smooth surface for the topcoat to adhere to and evens out the color. Prime with a white or light-colored primer. One thin coat should do but a second, equally thin coat can be applied if needed. Some painters like to use oil-based primer for furniture, claiming it seals the piece better so no old color or other stains can show through the final coat of paint. Others stick with water-based primer, which is easier to use and clean up. Whichever primer is selected, the piece has to dry completely before the next step.

Paint

• Paint the furniture--latex paint will work well over either oil-based or water-based primer. Painting can be done with a brush, roller or sprayer. A rule of thumb is to paint inside surfaces first and outside surfaces from the top down. If using a brush, the paint must be applied in even strokes that cover every corner, edge and scroll. If using spray paint or a sprayer, the paint should go on in slow sweeps. The sprayer should be held about a foot from the furniture so the paint falls on the piece in an even mist and doesn't run or drip. If a second coat is needed, the piece has to dry thoroughly first.

Seal and Protect

• One or two coats of clear lacquer finish will keep the paint job looking new and make it easier to wipe down. Water-based polyurethane leaves a glossy shine on the piece. There are clear matte finishes that will work, too. The extra finish minimizes chips, scratches, dings and stains. The painted furniture should dry for a day or so before it is used or heavy objects are placed on it to give the paint a chance to harden, especially in humid conditions.