How to Paint an Oak Headboard

Oak headboards make attractive, old-fashioned finishes to bed frames, but can lose their luster after several years. Oak headboards can be painted in much the same way as any oak items, by first evening out the wood and treating it with a primer. However, special attention should be paid to any contours or flourishes which can accumulate too much or too little paint.

Screwdriver
Old blanket or sheet
Medium-grit sandpaper
Dust pan and brush
Wood primer
Paint brush
Paint spray can
Damp cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the mattress and box spring from your bed base. Detach the headboard from the bed frame by removing the screws with a screwdriver.
- 2
  Move the headboard to a larger space where you can paint it. A garage, front yard or back garden would work fine. Lay plastic sheeting to cover the carpets and remove any items that may be damaged by splashing if you intend to paint the headboard indoors. Lay an old blanket or sheet on the ground and place the headboard on top.
- 3
  Sand the headboard. Sanding helps prepare the oak wood for the coat of primer. Sand using a medium-grit sandpaper along the grain of the wood. Use smaller segments of sandpaper or folded-over segments for any intricate corners or decorative flourishes on the headboard.
- 4
  Turn the headboard over and sand the other side in the same way. Sanding one side is usually sufficient, however, as only one side of the headboard will be visible when it’s refitted to the bed.
- 5
  Remove the dust once you have finished sanding. Sweep away the dust with a dust pan and brush. Remove as much dust as possible as trapped debris can damaged the oak's appearance once painted.
- 6
  Prime the wood. Apply the primer using a soft, flat-bristled brush using broad, even strokes in the direction of the grain. Primer helps prepare woods such as oak for paint to yield a more attractive, glossy finish. Allow around 48 hours for the primer to dry.
- 7
  Apply the paint. Position the spray can nozzle around 12 inches from the surface of the headboard. Apply pressure to the nozzle and move your hand in a wide, sweeping manner so a full, even coat is applied, following the direction of the grain. Pay particular attention to curved areas to ensure the paint reaches all parts of the oak. Keep the spray can in motion at all times to avoid excess paint collecting in specific areas.
- 8
  Identify any blobs or imperfections in the paint job before it dries. Remove them or even them out using a damp cloth. Reapply the paint in uneven areas if necessary. Leave the paint to dry for 48 hours once finished. Apply a second coat in the same way if required.

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