DIY projects can be very rewarding, especially when you see that the end result of your mini project is a success. While some online guides can be very confusing and offer different methods, there are some basic things that you need to know about in order to avoid making any mistakes.
There is no "one-size-fits-all" kind of rule when it comes to painting furniture. This is due to the fact that no furniture is the same and each must be painted carefully in order to avoid making any mistakes and destroying the piece.
However, when it comes to the basics, there are certain steps that apply to most (if not all) furniture that you need to know about before proceeding with your DIY project. House Beautiful reports that while some guides do not encourage sanding the furniture prior to painting, one should still sand beforehand.
All surfaces must be sanded using 150-grit sandpaper. For furniture pieces with existing varnish, 80-grit sandpaper is recommended. The publication notes that the reason for sanding is to give the primer something to adhere to, but you should also be careful not to strip the surface.
Another thing is to clean the surface with a tack cloth. This step is important, as this will help ensure that you are not painting on a messy surface, as things will be very hard to undo once you have already applied the paint.
The next step is to prime the furniture using a mini foam roller and a foam brush for those hard-to-reach areas. Once the primer is dry, you can proceed to paint the surface. Take note that you should allow plenty of time in-between coats and sand any drips or residue. Finally, apply a thin layer of protectant.
As previously reported here on Realty Today, painting might seem like an easy task to do, but it requires a lot of skill and patience. One should carefully determine the surface they are working on and whether they have the right tools to execute the task.
It may be advisable to paint on a small surface first or do a trial before doing it on a full-scale level, especially if it is your first DIY project.
