How to Change White Wood Furniture Into Black

Clean the piece of white furniture you will be painting black. Use a solution of tri-sodium phosphate, following the label directions of the manufacturer. Rinse well by wiping over the piece with a clean, damp rag, rinsing it frequently in clean water. Dry the entire piece with a clean, soft cloth.

Sand lightly with 150-grit sandpaper. Sand with the grain, using long strokes whenever possible. Do not oversand the piece. The idea is to rough up the surface to give the primer something to grab onto. Oversanding will result in a smooth surface, which doesn't give the primer enough of a “tooth” to grab onto.

Remove sanding dust first with a vacuum cleaner brush attachment, then wipe the entire piece down with a tack cloth.

Apply one to two coats of oil- or water-based primer, depending on whether the black paint for the topcoat is oil or water based. Use a foam or natural-bristle brush to minimize brush marks. Have the paint store tint the primer black. It will make it easier to completely cover the original white paint and require fewer coats of paint to get complete coverage.

Allow the primer coats to dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations, or at least 24 hours before proceeding.

Apply two to three coats of black paint, allowing each coat to dry for four to 24 hours.

Apply a clear topcoat, if desired, to protect the paint from chipping. Use varnish or polyurethane and apply it with a foam brush to minimize brush marks. Let the topcoat dry and harden for 24 to 48 hours before using the furniture.