How do I paint this type of finish?
by
Lola
+18
This is a photo of a table/desk that I am thinking about purchasing. However, I plan on painting it and have no idea how to go about it so that it lasts. It will be used as a desk in my home office. Do I have to sand it? Do I need primer? If I use primer do I still need to sand it? I will be buying it used off craigslist so I don't know what finish it has exactly, but it looks pretty glossy. I'm a rookie so need all the help I can get. Plus, this will get daily use as I am starting a work-from-home full-time job next week. Thank you!
13 answers
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The easiest solution is Chalk paint. It great for beginner painters, because it is virtually mistake proof. It doesn't require sanding and it has virtually no odor and it dries in minutes, not hours or days. when its dry brush over it with a clear water bases poly. like Minwax's poly-acrylic. If you are not a fan of the vintage look of chalk paint You can also paint this with any latex paint you want to use, but you will need to sand it to get good adhesion.
Nell Morris
on Dec 08, 2015
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Chalk paint is the best, because it requires no special process to the finish you are painting over except to dust it! If you love the vintage look of distressed furniture, I can say that it will not take as much paint as you think. A small bottle, say...16 oz., will be sufficient for your project. Not too heavy with applying the paint! A second coat is better than one thick one. You can make your own chalk paint, but unless you are going to be using a lot of it, (such as painting and selling ), it is more trouble than it's worth! Good luck!
Lane
on Dec 08, 2015
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I make my own @Nell Morris but even with chalk paint if it's real glossy I sand it some so the paint will stick better. I know a lot of people will say you don't have to but I followed that advice when i first started & ended up having to scrape down & repaint. Just run over it with your orbital or palm sander. I use a 1/3 c of calcium carbonate or you can use plaster of paris with 2 Tbsp of h2o, may take a little more or less, stir well until pancake batter consistency, mix into 1 cup of your paint. I use an old whisk for this or old hand mixer, mix well. You can get the sample size of paint in color of choice at Sherwin Williams for about $7 & their sample size is a quart. Another option is go to Walmart, they carry deco art chalk paint and it's great & very reasonable. Hope this helps! :)
Diane Daughdrill
on Dec 08, 2015
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Thanks Lane! I hadn't thought about that it might not take much paint. There is an Annie Sloan dealer nearby; maybe I'll go check them out.
Lola
on Dec 08, 2015
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There's also the option of milk paint. Has the same benefits of chalk paint with no need for priming and great, even coverage and vibrant tones, but at about half the cost. I use it all the time for furniture and love it. Would highly recommend General Finishes milk paint. You could also stain over it a darker color with their gel stains, such as the lovely Java gel stain. G'luck! :)
Living in a Fixer Upper
on Dec 08, 2015
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Yes latex. Some will tell you that you can only use flat but I have made mine in satin also. I did a lot of research & then tried many recipes until I found the one I liked. Hope this helps!
Diane Daughdrill
on Dec 08, 2015
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Painting with latex paint.
Regina
on Dec 09, 2015
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Painted furniture like this before and prepping is important. There is a cleaner called TSP (trisodiumphosphate) sold at big box stores; Lowes, Home Depot usually in the paint dept. Clean with that first then lightly sand the piece to give the paint something to adhere to. When you are all done painting, chalk or latex then give it a light spray of polyurethane. If you want to keep that flat look go with a matte. If you want to be able to wipe it clean easily then satin finish. Note: When you sand go with the grain of the wood or you will create scratches you will see when you paint. No circles
Sbsb1005
on Dec 09, 2015
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Chalk paint is a great solution to be sure. I made my own because it cost ALOT less than buying the ready-made stuff. The recipe I used was 1/2 C water, 1/2 C plaster of Paris and 1 1/2 C of paint. So three parts paint to one part POP and one part water. It covered great. I have used it on many different furniture items...some of which had glossy finishes and haven't had any problems with it. I did have to apply two coats of chalk paint to cover completely and then used a furniture wax to help seal once it was completely dry. Good luck! It looks like a great piece!
The Redesign Habit
on Dec 09, 2015
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Use tinted primer.
Holly
on Dec 10, 2015
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If you plan on painting and the desk will be used every day, I'd go to a glass store in your area and have glass cut to fit the top to protect the surface. They will put small unobtrusive circular felts under each corner of the glass so that there's 1/32 inch between desktop and glass for ventilation and to hold the glass in place.
Barbara
on Dec 11, 2015
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Thank you for all of the great responses and help from all the experienced DIYers!
Lola
on Dec 11, 2015
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Good advice from sbsb1005.
Liliana Wells
on Dec 21, 2015
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