Best Paint To Refinish Furniture

Can You Paint Over Varnished Wood Without Sanding

Often times people assume they can paint raw wood without sanding, but what about how to paint over varnished wood?

My marketplace find had a high gloss varnish on it, and I was still able to paint over it without sanding! Thats because I used a two step process that is my go-to for painting wood furniture.

The degloss and prime combo!

Deglosser is a wonderful way to substitute the sanding process. It is a much less strenuous and much faster alternative to sanding furniture to remove varnish or lacquer. Combine this step with priming and you have a beautifully prepared surface for paint to adhere to.

Paint is my number one go-to for quick and affordable makeovers, and Ive put together an entire free guide on paint finishes! Make sure to sign up below to download this quick reference guide to help you in all your DIY needs.

Now, lets run through the process for how I updated this thrifted cabinet. Then, I will share some alternative methods to painting furniture without sanding!

Paint The Wood With A Brush Or Roller

For highly irregular surfaces, such as furniture, crown molding, and trim, it is best to use a paintbrush only. For surfaces that have large, flat areas, incorporating a high-density foam roller will help you get the job done more quickly.

Dab the end of the paintbrush bristles only about 1/3 the length of the brush into the paint each time you load the brush. Transfer the paint to the wood, dragging the brush in short strokes that run parallel to the wood grain. Keep a wet edge at all times to prevent lap marks. Do not add a second coat of paint during this step, as this can cause the paint to tear.

For painting with the roller, insert the paint tray liner in the paint tray, then fill the tray less than halfway. Gently dab the roller into the paint. Roll the paint up and down the slope of the tray a few times to distribute the paint on the roller pad.

Transfer the roller to the wood. Roll the paint onto the wood, beginning with light pressure only. High-density foam roller covers work better with thinner latex paint than with oil-based paints.

For a more professional finish, looking into spraying the object rather than using a brush.

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

Choosing The Best Paint For Painting Walls

For years, I wondered if there was a difference between the different levels of paint available at the home improvement store. Being a budget decorator and remodeler, I usually just bought what was on sale, or one of the lower grades of paint. This past year, I was painting a very large, very red wall and knew I needed to put different types of paint to the test. Heres what I found to answer the question: Do I need to buy the most expensive paint for walls?

Recommended Reading: How To Match Wall Paint

Q: Can I Use Spray Paint On Furniture

A: I almost forgot about these!! Yes, there are options of spray paints, like regular spray paint that you get from the hardware store, and Amy Howard Furniture Lacquer. I actually havent used it yet, but Ive been dying to get my hands on some to use for lamps. If youre using regular spray paint, opt for the spray paint that has primer in it. And for the spray lacquer, it doesnt require priming and can be used for both indoor and outdoor use. But theres not much else I can say about the spray lacquer until I have tested it out. Subscribe to my email list to

Retique It By Renaissance Chalk Finish Paint

As regal in its name as the finish it creates, the Retique It Renaissance Chalk furniture paint will give a smooth, well-covered finish on any furniture. Brought to you in snow white, there is no need for you to spend your precious time priming and sanding your surface prior to using this furniture paint, nor does it require multiple different coats.

Amply and successfully use a single coat of this paint for cabinets and furniture to create a perfect vintage, contemporary or even shabby chic image. This is an environmentally friendly furniture paint containing nothing toxic so is safe for use indoors, around children and pets. It has zero VOCs and creates a smooth, chalky finish for you to enjoy for years to come.

We like the Retique It By Renaissance Chalk Finish Paint because it enables such a wide variety of different looks to be created when painting different types of furniture.

Don’t Miss: Painter Of The Night Mangabuddy

Renovate Your Faith: Overcoming Worry About Future Events

I first started painting furniture off and on in college but my hobby really took off as a form of stress relief when I was a young mom. As I have shared before, Morgan had a rare autoimmune disease called Autoimmune Neutropenia that she is now fortunately in remission from.

At one point when we were waiting for a diagnosis, we were told that if it was a different form of neutropenia, we would more than likely be looking at a leukemia diagnosis when she was a teenager.

Waiting for those results was legit scary and probably the longest two weeks of my life. At the time, I often tried to envision what the future held. My thoughts would meander down hallways they should have never stepped through in the first place.

But now that Im on the other side, I can see God had a completely different plan. She is healthy and happy and those horrible things I imagined never came to pass.

My mind is often prone to this kind of wandering. While its hard not to imagine the worst in lifes tramautic situations, I find my thoughts are so prone to wander even in the smallest of trials.

Whether Im nervous about making a blog video or worried about an awkward conversation with a friend, my thoughts often default to the absolute worst outcome. For me, I think worry can be attempt to prepare myself in case the worst actually does happen.

For more spiritual encouragement,

Getting A Smoother Paint Finish

There are a lot of factors in getting a smooth paint finish like using the right paint brushes. But one factor that often gets overlooked is making sure your paint is the right consistency.

Sometimes over time your paint may thicken a bit. Even if you just bought the paint, it may have been on the shelves in the store for awhile. If it is too thick, it wont self-level on the furniture as well which means more visible brushstrokes.

So how will you know if your paint is the right consistency? After stirring your paint well, lift your paint stirrer and let some paint run back into the paint can. If it is gloppy or very slow moving, it is too thick. It should be a similar consistency to heavy cream.

You can thin any water-based paint by adding simple water or by adding Floetrol. Floetrol is a latex paint additive that thins the paint and helps eliminate brush strokes.

If you are using an oil-based paint, you can thin it with Penetrol.

Just go slowly when thinning your paint. You can always add more thinner, but if you add too much, its tough to fix.

Don’t Miss: Best Light Grey Paint Colors

Bb Frsch Diy Chalk Paint Powder

To create a gallon of chalk paint, use this pot of chalk paint powder as a potentially more financially viable option for altering aesthetics. This is a clever and effective way of painting furniture, as this chalk powder paint, once mixed with your choice of water-based paint, will adhere to any wood, plastic, metal, laminate or fabric surface that you choose.

Combine it with any color and brand of paint as long as it is latex or acrylic, and it is of a flat finish. To use this paint effectively you will not need to do any surface preparation, you can be thrifty by creating specifically the capacity that you need, and it is 100% created from natural ingredients so there is nothing toxic in it and it is not harmful in any way.

We like the BB Frösch DIY Chalk Paint Powder because it enables you to makeup specifically what you need, reducing waste and keeping down costs.

Tips For Painting Cabinets

• If you have flat doors on your kitchen cabinets, you can make quick work of paint application by using a roller with a 1/4-inch nap .
• Paneled kitchen cabinets require a little more work use a paintbrush to evenly coat angled surfaces and inset areas.
• Choose a synthetic bristle brush if youre using latex paint, since the water-based formula will swell the bristles of a natural paintbrush.
• Remove any hardware before painting. If you’ll be replacing the hardware with a new style and not using the same holes, fill them in before sanding and painting.
• Get any dried paint off glass-front cabinets by gently scraping it with a razor blade.

Don’t Miss: Sherwin Williams Best Exterior Paint

How To Figure Out What Type Of Paint Has Been Previously Used On The Surface

Pour a bit of acetone on a rag and wipe the surface with it. If the old paint rubs off on the rag then its latex or water based. If it doesnt wipe off then its oil based.

Once you know more about the surface you are painting, proceed to deciding on the best primer.

Im going to share my all time favorite primer products for wood furniture WITH real life pictures and my experience.

Ronseal Chalky Furniture Paint

Specifications

Many DIY guides will tell you that when you are creating a distressed look, you will need to sand, prime and then wax the furniture in question before and after applying the paint. However, if you dont have time for all those steps, then this Ronseal Chalky Furniture Paint will make life easier and is one of the best paint for furniture for ease of use. It glides on to give a flat, matt finish that is strong enough to withstand wear and tear and will not rub off with general use unless you have specifically distressed it that way. It also only takes 30 minutes to dry, so this is the perfect paint for a quick upcycling job.

• Shop Ronseal Chalky Furniture Paint here

If youre on a budget, then Johnstone’s Revive Chalky Furniture Paint the best furniture paint for an affordable option and it comes in five different pastel shades that you can use to create a light and airy atmosphere in your home. The paint can be used on anything, from furniture to cupboards and even accessories, and is said to apply easily and dry quickly to a knock-and-scratch-resistant finish.

• Shop Johnstone’s Revive Chalky Furniture Paint here

Also Check: Free Paint By Numbers For Adults

Keep Any Distressing Natural

When you are going for a distressed look, keep the distressing natural. Nothing looks more fake than random little circles sanded into the front of a piece of furniture.

Start with 220 grit sandpaper and then if that isnt working well, try 150 grit.

Whether you distress a little or a lot, focus on the parts of your furniture that would naturally receive a lot of wear and tear: edges, corners, drawer fronts, raised decorations. Slowly add more distressing until you are happy with the look.

Remember you want the distressing to look like the natural effects of age, so try to avoid the impulse to make the distressing symmetric or even. Instead, try to keep it a bit random.

Whats The Best Paint For Furniture

Now, which is the best paint for painting furniture? Honestly, its impossible to pick just one as it really depends on the look youd like. Personally, the two kinds of paint I prefer are acrylic and alkyd. They are both super easy to paint with and give a really nice finish.

If youd like a printable version of this information to keep as a reference for later, I put together two charts highlighting the main qualities of each of the types of paint. Plus, it includes a chart with specific brands for all of the types of paint mentioned in this post.

You May Like: Type Of Paint For Cabinets

Can Painted Furniture Be Stained

To stain painted furniture with a traditional stain, you usually have to completely strip off the old stain with a chemical stripper which is pretty messy. Another option is to sand off the existing paint. HOWEVER, I know of a process that allows you to faux stain using latex paint. You can simply paint over the existing surface without stripping or sanding off the old finish. See the full tutorial here: How to Faux Stain with Latex Paint

Should I Spend So Much Money On Paint To Refinish Furniture

An paint to refinish furniture should live with you for many years to come. Paying more will reward you with a better view, increased speed, and better quality accuracy every time you open the lid. It costs between $$ and $$$ on average to purchase a new paint to refinish furniture. The price is higher but there are some luxury features that you opt for.

Also Check: How Much For Car Paint Job

Degloss Wood Furniture Instead Of Sanding

The next step in this version of painting furniture without sanding is to use a deglosser.

Like I mentioned above, this is an alternative to sanding. If youd rather not work with chemicals then sanding is the other option at this point in the process!

But since youre here to learn how to paint furniture without sanding, Im guessing youll choose the deglosser.

Wearing rubber gloves, simply rub the deglosser onto the wood with a clean lint free rag. You can also use steel wool, however I often find it is unnecessarily abrasive.

I like to cut up my husbands old white tshirts he wears under his dress shirts for my rags! They are a great fabric and totally lint free.

After youve applied the deglosser, wait for the allotted time on the label and then wipe down with a clean wet rag. Each brand has a slight variation to the instructions so make sure to follow the recommendations of the brand you buy.

Once youve cleaned and deglossed your furniture piece, you will want to decide if youre keeping the existing hardware or not.

Patching Old Hardware Holes

I wanted to update the pulls on my piece and found that the new hardware didnt line up with the existing screw holes.

This is an easy fix!

Simply use wood filler to fill the existing holes, sand down the surface flush, and then drill new holes in the position you need for your new hardware. I like to drill these holes before I prime and paint so I dont mar up a freshly painted surface later.

Best Paint For Outdoor Furniture

Valspar Duramax Exterior Paint and Primer bonds and primes in a single step and provides an excellent shield against weather, UV rays and nasty mold and mildew. This paint also resists cracking and peeling, can be applied by brush, roller or airless sprayer, and cleans up with soap and water.

One Lowes reviewer loved how it performed, writing, This paint is wonderful. It covers great and does not run. I painted beehive boxes and was impressed by the low odor. Bees are very sensitive to smell and there was no problem.

Duramax comes in a tintable base to render a protective and decorative coating that will turn your outdoor furniture into backyard masterpieces.

Read Also: Best Paint Sprayer For Fences

Best Paints For Furniture

Why Did We Like it?

If you want a smooth and well-covered finish on any piece of furniture, you can rely on Renaissance to execute it flawlessly. With this high-quality paint, there are no endlessly tiresome sessions of priming and sanding involved. And neither do you need to indulge in multiple coats to get the desired consistency.

Simply put on a single coat on the furniture or cabinet surface to create the perfect vintage, contemporary, or even shabby chic look you want. Apart from the effortless application, we also like that this product is environment-friendly and is safe for indoor use, and around children and pets.

What Couldve Been Better?

We absolutely love the smooth finish of the paint and the fact that it contains no VOC . However, you have to leave the furniture you applied it on for an extended drying period. Avoid applying a second coat before the first layer dries up fully as youll end up with globs all over the surface.

Why Did We Like it?

For starters, this is a reliable kit containing everything you need to upgrade the appearance of cabinets made from wood, painted metal, or primed laminate, without requiring lots of prep. Furthermore, you dont even have to remove the doors of the kitchen cabinets before beginning the paint job.

What Couldve Been Better?

Why Did We Like it?

What Couldve Been Better?

Why Did We Like it?

What Couldve Been Better?

Cover Your Work Surface

Drape plastic sheeting over the floor or other work surface to protect it from paint spills. Lay a canvas drop cloth or contractor’s paper over the plastic sheeting. The plastic keeps the paint from soaking through to the floor, while the canvas provides a non-slip surface and helps to contain paint spills.

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

You May Like: Can I Paint Vinyl Siding