DIY Oak Desk Painted Black

Remove all hardware from the desk with a screwdriver, and set these pieces aside. Pull drawers out of the desk, and set them onto a plastic tarp. Place the desk onto a tarp.

Sand every surface of the oak desk with sandpaper to create a slightly rough surface. Rub the sandpaper along the wood grain. Wipe the sanded surfaces with a tack cloth to remove sawdust.

Load a paintbrush with brushing putty, and apply it over the desk surfaces in an even layer. Apply the putty with the grain of the wood.

Allow the brushing putty to dry for about 16 hours. Sand the surfaces of the desk again to smooth them. Wipe the desk with the tack cloth to remove sanding dust.

Apply oil-based primer with a paintbrush, covering the brushing putty layer. Apply the primer in smooth strokes, with the grain of the wood, covering the desk completely. Allow the primer to dry for the time recommended on the product label.

Apply semigloss black paint over the primer layer with the same application technique. Because you filled the grain of the wood with the brushing putty and then the primer, the paint should adhere with a smooth appearance. Allow the paint to dry for the time recommended on the product label, then apply a second coat. Allow the second coat to dry completely.

Reattach the hardware, and put the drawers back into the desk.