Asked on May 25, 2014

Painting furniture

Paula M
by Paula M
I have an old bedroom set that I just hate. Came with husband. It is an inexpensive set, but really don't have the extra cash for a new furniture. It's not the type of wood that can be striped and restained. I believe it is some kind of veneer. If I was to do a primer first, can it be painted. I'm thinking a shabby look so it doesn't have to be perfect. I just don't want paint to be chipping with every little touch. If painting is not an option, ideas anyone?
  7 answers
  • Jim L Jim L on May 25, 2014
    Show us photos so that we can get a better of what it looks like so that we can make better suggestions...
  • Tamir DuCharme Tamir DuCharme on May 25, 2014
    Pictures would help. If you use a milk paint or a chalk paint and add a bonding agent to it,that will keep it from chipping.The great thing about using those 2 types of paint is you do not have to sand or "prepare" Just start painting!!! Good Luck with your project :)
  • Misty Misty on May 25, 2014
    I would go with a chalk paint, you can it on anything with no primer and it gives that shabby look that you are talking about.
  • Pamela Pamela on May 25, 2014
    You could easily paint the pieces and then lightly sand for a 'chippy' look....and you could decoupage the drawer fronts or the dresser tops and use coordinating fabrics/papers and then seal all of it with a poly. It would be nice to see some pictures then everyone here could visual a great idea for you. There are some very talented folks on here!!
  • Shari Shari on May 25, 2014
    It sounds like painting is just what you need to do to give your furniture a fresh new look. You have several options. As others stated, chalk paint and milk paint are very popular now. They are fairly easy to use and require little to no prep work. Typically, each chalk or milk paint manufacturer sells a wax that will give the flat, matte finish of these paints some luster and seal them, or you can use a poly-type product. You might want to search out some milk paint and/or chalk paint tutorials here on HomeTalk, the internet, or videos on You Tube to help you decide if this is the type paint you would like to use. Another option is just regular interior latex (water-based) paint. I have lost count of how many pieces of furniture I have painted in the past 7 years for my former and current home with latex paint. (Well in excess of 30.) If you are going to use latex, I would recommend buying the best quality paint you can afford. My procedure is to wipe the furniture down with a liquid sandpaper/deglossing product. This takes the place of tedious sanding. I apply 1 or 2 light coats of a good quality bonding (water-based) primer. I never use oil based products because I hate the messy cleanup and I have never had an adhesion problem using water-based primers and paints.I also do NOT like the primer/paint combo paints. They may be okay for walls but I have not been happy using them on furniture. After the primer dries, I apply several light coats of interior latex paint in the color and sheen of my choice. Depending on weather conditions, latex paint can take a few weeks to cure really well so until you are sure it has completely cured, be careful setting things on top of dressers and nightstands because it can mar or stick to the paint. If you want the shabby look, you can distress after the final coat of paint has dried for about 24 to 48 hours. If you distress or sand latex too soon, it can "roll* in little balls (and trust me, that's not pretty!). I don't typically apply a protective top coat like polyacrylic to my furniture but you certainly can if you want the extra protection. I find chalk paint and milk paint are good for producing a more casual, shabby, or old used and abused look. Latex paint can be distressed to give a more casual, shabby look too but it can also be used to achieve a finer finish, which I typically prefer on the furniture for my home.
  • Diane Arnold Diane Arnold on May 26, 2014
    Paint away, and if there are handles or knobs, update them.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on May 29, 2014
    If you degloss or lightly sand, there are some very good high adhesion primers you can use. I like the old type oil-based paint which I don't think is available anymore. It had a slower drying time so you could take your time and get a factory finish.