There’s a certain joy in taking up a project like wood painting, especially if it means you could end up with an older piece of furniture that looks brand new. If you’re looking to try your hand at revamping the look of that old chair or desk that’s been sitting in the corner, there’s a few things to keep in mind as you set out to make this transformation.
Prepare well: If the piece of wooden furniture you’re working with has been ignored for long, chances are that it has been slowly deteriorating, cracking and chipping along the edges of the surface. You need to examine it closely and take stock of each and every element that creates an unevenness needing to be addressed. Once you’ve done this, you know what the task at hand entails and can source your raw materials for the job accordingly. Another important factor is to demarcate the area where you will be doing the actual wood paint job. It is always advisable to find an open air spot, as this minimises any potentially harmful fumes or sawdust from bothering you. With a spot well chosen and your wood piece ready for work, it’s time to decide what kind of paint you want, not just the colour but even the type. There’s oil based, water based, latex paints and acrylic craft paints, each with their own characteristics and benefits, so choose well.
Whip out the sandpaper : Once you’ve got the basics in place, you’re ready to get your hands dirty, or sandy, in this case. For this step, it’s important that you wear a mask protecting your face, as well as goggles to shield your eyes from wayward fragments as you grind away with sandpaper. In most cases, it is best to start off with 180 grit sandpaper and work your way around the entire surface of the piece of wood. This can be tiring work, so make sure you take frequency breaks as you go.
Prime Time: A well sanded piece of wood deserves a good coat of primer to get it ready for the actual painting part. The primer is, well, of prime importance as you may have guessed by now. It’s main function is to ensure the paint mixes well, while protecting the surface and preventing the paint from bleeding when applied. Keep in mind, the kind of primer you use for this step should match the paint you are going to use in the next one. Select an oil based primer for oil based paint and latex based primer for latex based paint and so on.
Paint it up: Now comes the real fun part, the actual painting itself. By now, you should have decided on the colour of paint as well as the type. You can choose to apply the paint using a traditional paintbrush of a suitable thickness or you could get yourself a paint roller, if the surface area of your piece of wood is of a considerable size. For the adventurous amongst us, spray painting is also an option here, but it can get messy if you don’t know what you’re doing so exercise caution. Whatever you choose, make sure you’ve prepared the surrounding areas to withstand whatever onslaught of paint it may have to face during your DIY wood painting efforts.
Let it set: Freshly painted wood needs to be left to dry and this can take a while. Make sure you leave it for at least 24 hours before you handle the wood again. Once the paint has dried up completely, you’re ready to show it off to the world. For the more experienced amongst us, there are a few additional things like polishing, sealing or ageing of the wood that can be explored once the paint has been set. These techniques require a little more knowhow and practice before you can get results you would be proud of, so don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with these to begin with.
Taking a DIY approach to wood painting is certainly a fun prospect and it can be rewarding to get into. If you’re looking for some expert opinions on how to revamp your wooden furniture, look no further than Aapka painter. From sanding and prepping to polishing and more, we ensure we bring out the best in your furniture, for a long time to come.