French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
Thankfully, an innovative painting technique called “ faux bois” (French for “false wood ”) can offer the perfect compromise for do -it-yourselfers who budget for laminate furniture but dream of wood grain look .
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.
You can sand, prime and paint laminate as if it were a solid wood piece of furniture ! Because it’s often somewhat glossy-looking, and important to sand it down until the finish is very dull before priming. We recommend using 120 grit sandpaper for this. And, unlike real wood , it’s unnecessary to sand with the ‘grain’.
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.
STEPS First, apply the primer with the roller in larger areas, and fill in the smaller corners with the brush. Let the primer dry completely and sand with a fine sanding block. Let the primer dry completely again, and then apply the paint color of choice. Sand until smooth, and apply a second coat if needed.
Best Spray Paint for Furniture Enamel, a hard-drying paint made for furniture , trim, and cabinets, is a bit less forgiving but much more beautiful, durable, and long-lasting than a satin finish latex wall paint. Try Rust-Oleum Universal for aerosol application.
Step 2: Priming I used Kilz Primer (view on Amazon), which blocks, seals, and preps the surface to which the paint will adhere. Primer is important, especially when painting over laminate . Unlike wood, laminate is a smooth, non-porous material, so it really needs something to ‘grab’ onto— primer will do the trick!
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 .
How to paint over laminate Begin by sanding the laminate . Be sure to use the correct protective gear (a mask and safety glasses). Clean the surface. Get most of the dust off with a vacuum and then a damp paper towel or cloth. Prime with an oil based primer. Sand the primer smooth. Paint !
Instructions Check to make sure your laminate is in good condition. Clean your cabinets thoroughly with Krud Kutter to remove any kitchen grease or dust. Use a roller to apply Chalky Finish paint to the cabinet doors. Use a paint brush to chalk- paint any spots the roller couldn’t reach.
STEP 1: Start disassembling your IKEA furniture . STEP 2: Clean any dirt and grime that has collected on the furniture . STEP 3: Sand all sides to be painted . STEP 4: Cover with oil-based paint primer. STEP 5: Apply a second coat of primer and wait for it to dry completely.
Here are 5 Ways To Paint Furniture Without Sanding : USE A MINERAL PAINT. Mineral paint is very similar to chalk style paints in that no prep or prime is required. USE MILK PAINT + BONDING AGENT. As I already mentioned, the antique desk in this post was not prep- sanded . USE A BONDING PRIMER. USE A LIQUID SANDER /DEGLOSSER.
Can you paint over varnished wood without sanding ? Yes. There are a few ways to do this, but we choose to use an oil based primer to prepare our varnished wood for new paint . The oil based primer will stick to varnished or sealed wood .
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.
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.