French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
Oil or lacquer -based paints will work best for painting particle board. However, if you have primed the wood with an oil -based primer , you should be able to use water -based paint without the particle board absorbing any water . A variety of different colored paints should be available at your local hardware store.
Don’t be afraid to paint veneer particle board . Furniture made from particle board veneer cannot be refinished down to the bare wood since the particles would splinter and chip. The furniture can be painted effectively. Veneer is a slick surface, so prep the surface well before painting .
You can sand, prime and paint laminate as if it were a solid wood piece of furniture ! It’s easy to skip the sanding step, because sanding is a drag… but it’s especially important with laminate . Because it’s often somewhat glossy-looking, and important to sand it down until the finish is very dull before priming.
The laminate must be properly prepared before any successful painting can begin. Sand the entire surface of the furniture that you would like to paint with 120 grit sandpaper. Apply a coat of oil-base primer to the entire surface. Sand the primer with 400 grit sandpaper and apply another coat of primer.
The 2 Best Ways to Paint Laminate Furniture ~ Method #1 Clean the Surface. This dresser was dusty so all that was needed to clean it was a soft cloth dampened with warm water. Lightly Sand the Entire Piece. Yes SAND! Prime. I used B.I.N shellac based primer. Paint . Protect with a Sealer/Topcoat.
Lightly Sand the Surfaces Before applying paint , lightly sand the primer layer. This will ensure that the top coat goes on smoothly and sticks well. After sanding , remove any dust with a lint-free rag.
The primer is the key to a good paint finish on particleboard . A water-based primer such as latex causes particleboard to swell, so it shouldn’t be used. A solvent-based primer such as oil or lacquer is required to prep the surface for paint . Latex, oil or lacquer paints can be used once the primer dries.
Apply a coat of clear acrylic sealant to all edges of the boards . Add a layer to any area that might be exposed to moisture . Do this by shaking up the can of sealant , opening the lid with a screwdriver and painting the product onto the wood using a paintbrush.
If you see the grain but the pattern tends to repeat and it lacks texture and feels perfectly smooth, it’s probably veneer . If it lacks grain altogether, it’s most likely laminate .
Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish . Try ProClassic Interior Acrylic Latex Enamel for lighter colors, and All Surface Latex Enamel Base for deeper hues.
Using the correct primer is key when it comes to painting laminate . You have a few options to choose from, so make sure you choose a primer that made to adhere to laminate and glossy surfaces without sanding . For this project we used Zinsser BIN. Other options include: Kilz Adhesion, and Zinsser Bullseye 123.
For painting laminate furniture , you want to do at least 2 coats of primer and let them cure completely (overnight if you can !) in between coats. TIP: if using spray primer, shake your can really, really, REALLY well. If you don’t, your primer can spray out in a gritty texture which is no good!
When you’re painting chipboard , never use heavy water or oil-based paints . Acrylic works the best because heavy water or oil-based paints will soak into the chipboard . This will make your board look uneven.
Yes SAND! Laminate is a slick and non-porous surface so it’s best to lightly scruff the surface. I use 150-220 grit sandpaper to sand the laminate because it’s the BEST way to get the primer and paint to adhere properly.
Plexiglas or acrylic would be an easy choice as well. Creates a perfectly flat surface that is easy to clean. Just paint it. Particle board paints easy (you would have to use wood putty or drywall compound on the edges first to create a smooth surface. )