How to Paint Old Stained Furniture

Remove any knobs or fixtures from the furniture that you don't want affected by the new paint.

Wash the furniture with a soft sponge dipped in warm water and mild detergent. A few drops of dish soap works well for this since it removes dirt and grease without being corrosive. Dry the furniture off immediately with a dry rag, especially with wood since oversaturating it with water causes damage over time.

Rub the furniture with a fine sandpaper to remove any rust on metal, smooth out wood and make the surface rougher for better painting quality. Wipe the furniture down with a rag afterward to remove any loose sand.

Apply a primer to the furniture to cover up any existing stain and to assist the new paint in bonding to the furniture. Wait for the primer to dry before continuing. A brush works fine for small areas while a sprayer is faster for large pieces. Keep the furniture outdoors or on top of a plastic drop cloth to prevent the surrounding area from being affected by the painting process.

Paint two coats of paint over the primer. Keep the paint going in one direction, likely up and down, so it all looks uniform and goes on smoothly. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat for best results.

Reattach the knobs or fixtures that you'd previously removed once the piece is fully dry.