French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
Yes you can distress furniture paint with regular flat latex paint . It’s a budget friendly alternative. A flat latex paint is easy to sand and you can use my vinegar and water distressing technique . You can layer two colors, and create lots of the looks if you use flat latex paint .
Milk paint , which you can purchase as a powder or premixed, or even whip it up yourself at home, is a nontoxic and biodegradable paint option that’s great for use on wood furniture —and if you mix it with an equal part of bonding agent, you don’t need to sand the piece before beginning.
HOW TO PAINT FURNITURE Step 1: Prep, prep, prep! First, prep your piece of furniture . Step 2: Sand. Next, sand your furniture and get all of the glossy finish off so that the paint will have a good surface to “grab” onto. Step 3: Prime. After your furniture is dry and dust-free, paint on some primer. Step 4: Sand Again. Step 5: Paint .
Prepare Your Space. Start by laying down drop cloths and preparing the area. Sand and Clean the Piece. Sand the surface of the piece. Paint the Piece. Apply Wax and Top Layer of Paint (Optional) Distress the Piece with Sandpaper and Steel Wool. Apply a Stain (Optional) Protect the Finished Piece with Polyurethane.
If you want to paint over gloss with gloss there’s no need to use it. Just give the surface a clean and sand before painting . If you are painting over gloss woodwork with a satin or eggshell finish, you also won’t need to use this primer. Lightly sanding and cleaning will help the new paint adhere.
For furniture it’s best to use a satin or semigloss finish in either a latex or an oil-based paint . Never leave primer unpainted. If you choose a latex paint , a latex primer is an excellent choice for most uses. It goes on easily and blocks most stains, but it doesn’t have the odor of an oil-based primer.
When You Can Skip Sanding , Deglossing and Priming If the finish on your furniture isn’t damaged or chipping, it’s flat not shiny and you aren’t painting it a drastically different color, then you may be able to just go ahead and start painting . Before painting though, do make sure the piece is clean.
These tips will help you minimize your brush strokes and remove distractions from the smooth, professional finish of your piece. Use the Right Brush for your Paint . Use Good Brush Technique. Paint in the Same Direction as the Wood Grain. Lightly sand in between each coat of paint and after final coat.
How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro Use the Right Tools. To avoid visible brush strokes in your paint job, you need to use the right tools. Know What Not to Paint . Lightly Sand Before You Begin. Use Primer. Water Down Your Paint . Lightly Sand In Between Coats. Finish with Polycrylic. Put Furniture on Blocks.
Prime gives you a smooth and even surface to start your project, it also gives you the ideal surface for paint to adhere to. Without priming, paint peels more easily because it doesn’t easily adhere to the furniture underneath.