Painting High Traffic Furniture

Move your furniture into a large, clean workspace. Use drop cloths and painter's tape to cover any surrounding area you want to protect from paint.

Wash down your furniture with mild soap and a scrub brush. Dirt prevents an even color and finish. Let the furniture dry.

Remove any hardware with hand tools, and set it aside.

Sand down wooden furniture to remove any splinters or nodules. Remove any old paint by sanding down to the wood and chiseling or using paint stripper per manufacturer's instructions.

Wipe down the furniture with a clean rag to remove sawdust and paint flecks.

Apply a base coat of high-quality primer. Brush the primer on back and forth in one direction, wiping off excess paint on the edge of the tray before painting. Smooth out any drips or puddles as you go. Let the primer dry completely overnight before moving on.

Apply a coat of your main color using the same method as the primer application. Use a smaller brush if necessary to thoroughly cover corners, crevices and carvings. Let the application dry overnight.

Apply a second coat of color for a long-lasting finish and vibrant color on a high-traffic piece. Let it dry overnight.

Apply a clear coat of interior paint sealant to protect your paint job. Let it dry completely overnight.

Replace all hardware on the piece.