What Kind of Paint Can I Use for My Walnut Finish Desk?

Oil-Based Paint

• Oil-based paints allow you to achieve a very smooth and shiny surface that will resemble a piano's bright finish. Use a high-gloss paint to achieve the shiniest look possible by yourself at home without sophisticated professional painting equipment or a professional's prices. Oil paint is effective because the paint will fill in paintbrush and roller marks as it dries. Note that if your walnut finish is a veneer or an otherwise engineered finish, you will have to abrade the surface thoroughly before it will accept primer or paint.

Latex Paint

• You can use latex or water-based paint to cover your walnut desks, but latex paint will show more brush marks. This is useful if you are hoping to achieve a weathered an antique look. Latex paint is easier to work with than oil, as it comes off paintbrushes with soapy water. Latex paint is useful for a desk in another respect: It wont create a sticky surface that books and other papers will stick to.

Primer

• Primers are important because they help seal the wood to prevent it from soaking up too much paint, and they promote adhesion, helping a coat of paint to last longer. Use a glossy primer if you are using glossy paint and use a flat primer for a flat painted surface. If you aren't sure, use a flat paint, as these are easier to cover later with shiny paint than vice versa, and they hide flaws in the surfaces better. Use oil primer with oil paints and water-based primer with latex paint.

Application

• You can roll oil or latex primer and paint on with a roller or with a paintbrush -- and you might use both. Alternatively, use a spray gun to spray paint the desk. This will help prevent it from developing brush or roller marks and will help you achieve an even and professional look. You can spray oil-based or latex paints and primers. Paint one coat on the desk and let it dry completely before you sand the desk with superfine 400-grit sandpaper. Then apply a second coat.