Asked on Jul 10, 2015

Chalk Paint on Rubber Wood aka Parawood

Fab and Pretty
by Fab and Pretty
We have a kitchen set and don't like how easily the lacquer finish on the rubber wood chipped. The wood is very very hard which is one of the reasons this happens. Needless to say it doesn't look great, and I'm thinking of chalk painting, however, would love it if anyone could chime in about chalk painting this type of wood furniture and how it's holding up. I do not want to do any type of distressed finish and would be applying the smooth finish chalk paint with protective top coats.
This photo is not my set! But one I found online very similar!
  12 answers
  • Carole Bisby Carole Bisby on Jul 11, 2015
    I have a similar problem with my also. I used so black paint satin finish and a sponge paint brush and touched it up with streaks going down while covering the spots that are worn or nicked. Some area's are still good and others that get touched a lot are wearing off but then I just touch up that spot. Last's about a year. Hope this helps and it's cheaper then a new set (even though I would like one, lol)
    • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Jul 11, 2015
      @Carole Bisby Hi Carole thanks for sharing your experience, did you put any kind of protective coat on top?
  • Jane Jane on Jul 11, 2015
    I would prime it even though you are using chalk paint. I would use Lowe's or Anne Sloans brand, you chalk paint & then lightly sand. I would do 2 coats & then use a Polycrylic on the top. I would do at least 3 coats & lightly sand in between. I use a sanding block which I buy a Lowe's for around $3, they are handy to have. It will be beautiful.
    • See 4 previous
    • B. Enne, no offense on your comment, but have to add this. I redo furniture. You will need to use the Polycrylic coating on your paint job just like Jane said. The stain will not be enough. As a matter of fact, if you wanted to have a stain look, you can actually mix it with the Poly, I have done this before. It will give it that "old" look. But if you want it to not chip I would highly recommend you do this. Also, very important. Take a piece of cotton and put a rubbing alcohol on it. Rub it on an underside of the furniture. If the paint comes off, that means it was painted with an "Oil Base" paint. So you will need to use an "Oil Base" primer. I have learned a lot from Salvagedinspirations.com and actually just posted this today. It might help. https://www.facebook.com/SweetJunkDesigns.Jaana/posts/131696333831986?notif_t=like
  • Laurie Brennan Laurie Brennan on Jul 11, 2015
    Annie Sloan also has a laquer for topcoating items that will receive heavy wear
  • Lorraine Lorraine on Jul 11, 2015
    I just finished a set of dining chairs for a client. Thinking I would use chalk paint, I started painting the first chair. As it was drying I noticed it wasn't covering the way it normally does, so decided it was going to need a second coat. As I was brushing on the second coat, it was "rewetting" the first coat and looked horrible! So I took a damp rag and wiped...yes wipped!....all the paint off! I then washed all the chairs down with TSP and rinsed them well. Then I gave them a light sanding (just to be sure!) and repainted with no problem! Because I don't want to have to repaint them every year, I put 2 got of poly in a satin finish over the final coat of paint, and they're perfect!
  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Jul 11, 2015
    information on Rubber wood is available here: http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/rubberwood/ An epoxy paint might last longer.
  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Jul 12, 2015
    Well along with all of the helpful advice i found this article. http://www.ehow.com/how_7648054_paint-rubberwood.html I'm still scared though...8 chairs and a table with a leaf...Maybe I'll just do 2 chairs to test.
  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Nov 21, 2015
    okay everyone, thanks so much for the suggestions and help. I finally took on repainting our kitchen suite! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/refinished-rubber-wood-kitchen-suite-11298304
  • PAP25847808 PAP25847808 on Jun 21, 2017

    How did it turned out?

  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Jul 05, 2017

    it's been a year and a half and it's awesome!

  • Sam Cook Sam Cook on Jan 29, 2019

    I have two parawood living room tables finished in cherry but concidering painting ,15 yrs old . What's your suggestion if you have a solid cherry wall unit your keeping as center focus and your living room colors consist of gold, green, burgundy and neutral? Chalk paint a color or restain ? Open floor plan to kitchen .

  • Sam Cook Sam Cook on Jan 29, 2019

    Sending pictures of tables I'm considering painting or restraining .any suggestions?