I'm going to paint the wood on a chair similar to this. Should I prime
by
Louise
+36
before I paint? If so, I've read that priming with an oil base primer is better than latex, even tho my paint will be latex. I've already bought my paint. What do you think?
I'm planning to paint the wood a deep red and then cover the fabric part.
I'm planning to paint the wood a deep red and then cover the fabric part.
30 answers
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I have not primed and painted and the paint started bubbling 2 years later. I have also primed with oil based painted before painting and no problems even years later. I would definitely prime.
Kyleigh Gray
on Oct 12, 2013
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I would also recommend priming with a good quality primer, either latex or oil--the choice is yours. (Personally, I hate the cleanup involved in oil based paint products so I always use latex primer and paint on my furniture.) Primer definitely helps the paint grip better and helps fill in and cover any imperfections in the wood. I compare it to using a base coat on your nails before putting on nail polish. Base coat just gives a nicer, smoother surface for the polish to adhere to and helps your nail polish grip better. Likewise, primer does the same thing for paint. One other thing... since you are using a deep red paint, you may want to consider having your primer tinted. Sometimes it is hard to get good, even coverage when painting with dark colors. It will take more red paint to evenly and adequately cover white primer. Show the guy at the paint counter the red paint you are planning to use and he can tint your primer (usually at no extra charge) the appropriate color. I once painted a room red and the primer was tinted a medium gray color based on the paint guy's recommendation.
Shari
on Oct 12, 2013
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Thanks. I already have some primer left over from another job. Wonder if the store would tint it for me? Won't hurt to ask, huh?
Louise
on Oct 12, 2013
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As long as the can is mostly full, they probably will tint it. However, if it is less than half, it might mess up the ratios of color added by the computer. However, since it's just primer, I suppose it won't matter that much if the primer color isn't spot on. But you're right...won't hurt to ask! I definitely would.
Shari
on Oct 12, 2013
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You need to sand the wood first. A light sand would probably be sufficient. This is to provide a 'key' for the paint to adhere to. If you don't do this, your paint won't stay put and you will be wasting your time. Then I would recommend an oil based primer as you will most likely only need one coat. If you use water based over that wood you will need two coats or the colour will show through - water based primer is thinner than oil. I would also recommend you get a tint added to your primer such as a grey if you are going to paint over it with red paint. The dark wood is hard to cover first off and then a white primer will need a couple of coats of red paint to cover it well. You can paint water based paint over oil based (but not the other way around or the paint will yellow). Of course you will need to remove the seat and back before attempting any of this so you can reach all the wood properly. I would imagine these are easily removed and are probably just screwed into place in any case. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Carole
on Oct 12, 2013
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Carole's advice is spot on! 200 to 300 grit sandpaper will do. Definitely sand, prime (oil based is better), and apply appropriate layers of paint. Most likely two to three with any red. Fortunately there is not a lot of wood to cover so it will come out GREAT! Please post when done. Best of Luck!!
Irene Piecora
on Oct 12, 2013
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I'd planned to do a light sanding or use one of the de-glossers. Which would work better or are they equal?
Louise
on Oct 12, 2013
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Is tint in primer some special substance or is it just a bit of paint? Can I put some black paint in the white primer and stir it well and make my own darker tint?
Louise
on Oct 12, 2013
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I'll definitely post before and afters when it's done. I'm slow to get started, tho, so there's no telling when that might be. I HOPE to get it done soon because I'm tired of waiting on my slow self. :-)
Louise
on Oct 12, 2013
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Most people are going to say sanding is the ONLY way the paint will stick but I have painted in excess of 30 pieces of furniture for my previous and current homes and only sanded one of those pieces because the original finish was bubbled. I used deglosser on everything else, even furniture with a shiny finish and laminate pieces, and I have had absolutely no problem with the primer and paint sticking. Just follow the instructions on the back of the deglosser can.
Shari
on Oct 12, 2013
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Thanks!
Louise
on Oct 12, 2013
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always prime furniture or cabinets with an oil (alkyd) primer. It will seal in any potential stains and create a good bond for the paint to adhere to. I always use an oil (alkyd) topcoat as well on cabinetry and furniture because it is more durable and creates a nicer finish that latex
Color Expressions Painting
on Oct 13, 2013
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The key to a good paint job is always in the preparation! Sanding the wood and priming before you paint will give you the best results.
Janet Smith
on Oct 13, 2013
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Definitely sand first - it doesn't have to be a rough sanding. a light sanding with a sanding sponge will be fine. A shellac-based primer like Zinsser BIN would work well under latex paint, also. Hope this helps!
Cher @ Designs By Studio C
on Oct 13, 2013
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I always use Zinsser Bullseye 123 primer. It sticks to anything. I only lightly sand before. Good luck!
118330
on Oct 14, 2013
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If you use chalk paint, you don't need to sand or prime. Annie Sloan makes a pretty red. You can also make your own chalk paint. I haven't tried that yet but I've been painting tons of stuff with ASCP and I love it. I like to distress my pieces but you don't have to do that if you don't like that look. Good luck.
Mary Lemon
on Oct 14, 2013
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If you have only the one chair, I would buy a Rustoleum spray primer and satin spray paint. Primer is nasty stuff to get out of a brush.
Sally Roesner Fuhr
on Oct 14, 2013
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Please prime!!!!
Jean Dudley
on Oct 14, 2013
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For any kind of natural wood I've always stayed away frpm paint- I feel that hiding the natural grain of a beautiful wood is criminal. My choice has always been to sand down to the bare wood & add 2 coats of a penetrating stain followed by a coat of boiled linseed oil (u have to wipe the excess off after a couple of hours then wait a couple days for it to cure).Then a sealer +sanding & then a topcoat of lacquer. It's a lot of work but it's worth it.
Louis Lieberman
on Oct 14, 2013
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I'm surprised no one has addressed the first part of your question regarding oil base primer under latex paint. In my experience, it does not work!!! As you apply the latex it will all bubble up and you will end up scraping the whole mess off. I was always taught oil w/ oil and latex w/ latex. You might ask around though as paints may have changed in the last few years. Or Google it. Or do a test area first. Good luck with your fun project.
Cindy Richmond
on Oct 14, 2013
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This kind of chair is different from a lot that we all redo in 'distressed' or chippy looks. Since the lines are so sleek, distressing looks weird on them, because they would wear differently than furniture with bits that stick out. That means you want to prep this for a really nice, smooth finish. It doesn't have to be high gloss, but smooth is gonna look best in the long run. So I'd sand, CAREFULLY. Too much sanding will mess with the curves. A sanding sponge/block is best. Get it nice & smooth, then prime, and then put on a nice, non-distressed paint finish. Looking forward to the end result! I've seen some of these come back beautifully, with bright, fresh paint and updated upholstery!
Txvoodoo
on Oct 14, 2013
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If you are going to use latex paint you must also use latex primer. Oil and water do not mix in any situation. Latex paint is water based.
Pat Dollar
on Oct 14, 2013
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I always thought that, too, but soooo many people in the past have told me that oil-based primer gives a stronger base to latex paint. I painted some cabinets a while back with oil-based primer and paint, and as I recall -- it's been a while so might not be clear on this -- the primer, once dry, didn't have an oil look or feel to it.
Louise
on Oct 14, 2013
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Oil-based primer is stronger but not if you are putting latex paint over it and several have suggested the Chalk paint and Annie Sloan is one that works very well..no priming, sanding needed it dries very fast and is a very durable paint and you finish it off with a wax. Johnson & Johnson floor wax or similar brand works well with out buying the Annie Sloan wax unless you want the dark wax. I know you said you bought the paint color already but consider the chalk paint...if not now on a later project it saves a few steps
Sharon Pfarkel
on Oct 14, 2013
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I believe it would be a shame to paint that beautiful wood!
LaVerne DeHart
on Oct 16, 2013
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The chair in the photo isn't my exact chair, just one very similar. Mine doesn't look as new and nice. :-)
Louise
on Oct 17, 2013
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Thought I'd pipe in here again. I had so many suggestions about which primer to use -- oil or latex. I was walking past a Sherwin Williams paint store last week so decided to go inside and ask about primer. The first person I asked had no idea but took me to man she said was the expert. I told him what I was planning to do and he said to definitely use oil-based primer even with latex as my paint. He said the oil would adhere better to the wood and allow the latex paint to adhere better. Hmmmm. So many answers.
Louise
on Nov 23, 2013
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If you want the topcoat to stick, use an Alkyd primer first. Do not use a water based primer. Its also a good idea to lightly sand the existing surface to degloss with a very fine grit paper. Just a scuff sand. Then the Alkyd Primer and 2 coats of paint. Use a satin finish so that its not too shiny. I would also use an Alkyd paint for the topcoat. Its will have better durability. Latex just doesnt have the pretty "hard candy" surface that the Alkyd paint will have.
Color Expressions Painting
on Nov 24, 2013
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Thanks. I was planning to sand first. Someone else recently mentioned to me that I should end with an oil-based top layer. Guess I'll do it because I want it to stay. :-)
Louise
on Nov 24, 2013
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I've put several layers of gloss paint on my chairs -- finally. It looks great. I haven't put the chairs back together yet because someone suggested a few days ago that I spay it first with gloss poly to protect the beautiful deep red paint. Should I? And if so, any suggestions as to what kind?
Louise
on Apr 15, 2016
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