Repaint furniture and give it a new life: principles and secrets

Painting furniture is a design technique that attracts people with its relative cheapness and quick results. With the help of inexpensive paint and simple tools, you can refresh the color, correct surface defects, or effectively transform old objects. We'll figure out how to paint furniture at home, what the rules are for preparing the surface, and how to choose the right paint.

In retro style Source wixstatic.com

When does coloring make sense?

After you take a closer look at the price tags in furniture stores, you begin to think about alternative ways to update your interior. A good way to update would be to repaint existing furnishings. There are several reasons why people think about painting furniture and begin to study the issue in detail:

• I would like to update the furniture in my dacha. Most country house sets are made up of outdated furniture of different styles and colors. The update will help bring all items to a single style, making the interior harmonious and cozy.
• It's a shame to throw away your old headset. Many sets left over from Soviet times are durable and can last for decades. But their surface has long lost its attractiveness, and the objects themselves look obsolete; Restoration and painting (possibly with a color change) will help extend their life.

How to refresh an old item Source aviarydecor.com

• The house has an inherited rare wardrobe or retro chest of drawers. Antique furniture is valuable for its original appearance, often more refined than modern models, but its appearance is far from perfect. Skillful restoration will transform an old item beyond recognition and make it a decoration for any living room or bedroom.
• You want to refresh the interior, but you are not mentally prepared for a full renovation. In this case, point changes are used. They often change the color of one wall, make it an accent wall, and purchase new textiles and lamps. An effective way would be to repaint furniture in a new, sometimes unexpected color: when a brown cabinet turns white or olive, the interior is transformed beyond recognition.
• I want to change my style. They resort to artificial aging of facades when they want to decorate the interior with vintage notes (for example, Provence or shabby chic). A chest of drawers or a wardrobe begins to resemble an antique thanks to a special painting technology. A decorative layer with noble cracks can be obtained in several ways.

Nightstand with aged effect Source luniqueblog.com

Sealing chipboard joints on the floor

The difficulty lies in the fact that the slabs on the floor are constantly subjected to significant physical stress; they “play” relative to each other. For this reason, the putty does not want to stick. There are several popular ways to seal such seams.

The seams are covered with epoxy mixed with sawdust. The sawdust is first finely sifted. The composition sets very quickly, so it is not worth preparing a large volume of such putty at once. Such protection serves for a long time and reliably. But the price of epoxy is high, and sealing joints is expensive.

You can replace the epoxy with hot wood glue. You need to mix sawdust in it and go through the seams.

The effect is achieved even greater than with epoxy, since the hot glue penetrates deep inside. This method also saves from moisture, and the joint stops “playing”. True, it is advisable not to walk on such a floor for several days, since wood glue takes a long time to dry.

This method is much cheaper. And if the floor is covered with linoleum on top, then you can completely forget about damage to the chipboards.

What we paint: getting ready for the process

Before wondering how to repaint furniture a different color, you need to determine what material you will have to deal with. Solid wood furniture is quite rare; It is easy to paint a prepared wooden surface. The only problem that may arise after applying paint or varnish is the raising of pile. To prevent this, the coating is sanded after the first priming.

More often, Soviet-made items made from chipboard and MDF need updating. To work with them, you should stock up on a respirator, gloves, and provide ventilation. The direction of action is determined by the type of particle board:

• Painted. You can remove a layer of paint (as well as varnish) using a solvent; The procedure will take more than one hour, plus you will have to spend money on chemicals. There is an alternative cleaning option - a spatula and a hair dryer.

Fashionable white Source kammerat.co

• Lacquered. Repainting old varnished items is harder than any other. According to the technology, the varnish was applied in several layers, and its complete removal can take a lot of time. If the surface has scratches or other damage, it is much easier to polish it while maintaining the original color.
• Laminated. The technology for making furniture from laminated chipboard is used in modern production. The surface is covered with a polymer film, creating a durable and reliable layer. The process of restoring items made from laminated chipboard is very difficult; the coating cannot be completely removed, and there is a high risk of damaging the base material.

Fashionable black Source pinimg.com

• Laminated. The laminating process involves applying glue to chipboard or MDF, followed by pressing on decorative film, budget material on a paper or fleece basis. The paper covering is the most unreliable, it is not difficult to clean it, but in addition it is necessary to remove the adhesive layer. After stripping the glue, the item is ready to apply new decor.
• Veneered. Products made from chipboard covered with natural wood veneer are high-quality products and an alternative to things made from solid natural wood. The decorative layer is not removed, so restoration is carried out only with the help of stain and varnish.

Yellow as an interior accent Source foter.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in paints and varnishes and related work

Is primer required?

Prime the table using roll/brush primer. Roll-on/brush-on formulas are best for high-traffic surfaces as they tend to be thicker and more durable than spray-on formulas. Apply 1 coat of primer using a mini foam roller or medium brush. Allow this coat to dry before applying a second coat.

Primer helps the paint adhere to the wood and hides any stains or discoloration. Between layers, wrap the roller or brush in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. This will keep the paint wet and save cleaning time between coats.

Be sure to fill any cracks or holes in the table with good wood filler. Be sure to follow the instructions and let the filler dry to the point where you can sand it well.

Surface preparation

The preparation process may require all or only some of the following procedures:

• Drying and removing mold. You can’t do without them if the old cabinet has spent many years in the barn; The paint will only adhere well to dry wood. If there are areas affected by mold on the surface, they are washed with water, dried, and then sanded. At the end, the tree is coated with an antifungal drug, covering neighboring areas.
• Processing of knots. This is a problem with almost any new wood. The knots release resin, which prevents the paint from adhering tightly. The resin is removed with a spatula; the knot area can be preheated with a technical hair dryer. Then the area is sanded with sandpaper and further treated with cellulose (or ammonia) solvent.

Sanding Source saymedia-content.com

• Removing the coating. If the old coating (varnish, paint) is partially preserved, it is sanded with sandpaper. If it is cracked or peeling, heating with a technical hairdryer followed by scraping with a spatula will help. The varnish can be pre-softened using a paint remover.
• Putty. It is needed to level the surface and remove chips and cracks. Use a special putty for wood (water-based) to fill the uneven areas. Then the application area is carefully sanded with fine-grained sandpaper.
• Degreasing. The wooden surface should not only be dry and smooth, but also frequent, without grease stains or traces of resin. Extraction gasoline or nitro solvent will help wash away dirt.
• Primer. It reduces paint consumption, preventing it from being absorbed into the wooden base, and at the same time improves the adhesion (adhesion) of the layers. Before applying the primer (a colorless primer for wood or drying oil is suitable), the surface is cleaned with a brush or vacuum cleaner.

Filling defects Source pitmebel.ru

Required Tools

Preparation for the process must be thorough. To work you need the following tools:

• Putty knife;
• Knives – carpenter’s and stationery;
• Screwdrivers;
• Construction hair dryer;
• Brushes, foam rollers for canned paints;
• Scissors.

A hacksaw may be useful to trim the cracked ribs of the slab. They also need to be sanded with sandpaper.

The best way to repaint furniture

The choice of paint and varnish products on the construction market is amazing. The owner of an old cabinet, deciding how to paint chipboard furniture at home in white (or any other) color, will first of all have to decide on the choice of composition.

You can use stain if you only want to tint the material (usually it is chosen for veneered furniture). The varnish is applied in two ways. Usually the varnish layer is the final one; it secures and protects the bottom decorative layer, making it resistant to moisture. Varnish, like wax, can be used independently; this helps maintain the natural wood texture.

Tinting Source pinimg.com

Painting a table with your own hands - where to start?

If you're not sure what color to paint your table, we'll tell you. White tables with bright chairs look good in kitchens, while brighter colors can really make a delightful accent. Think about what kind of atmosphere you want to create and then choose a color that will help you achieve that look. Some shades include yellow, red, turquoise and navy blue.

Variety of colors

The color range of paints on the construction market is endlessly varied. If you cannot find a suitable shade, you can always resort to tinting, a technology that allows you to obtain the desired tone. Self-tinting is fraught with pitfalls: if there is not enough paint, it is almost impossible to reproduce the same shade.

When using different compositions, the surface type has different degrees of gloss: matte, semi-matte (satin, silky-matte), glossy. The following types of dyes are suitable for furniture decoration:

• Oily. The paint forms a dense matte layer on the surface, the shade is saturated. A significant disadvantage is the long drying time, coupled with an unpleasant odor that lasts for some time after drying. It is better to work with the oil composition outdoors or in non-residential premises.

Chair update Source ytimg.com

• Acrylic. Furniture acrylic paints are mostly matte, close to natural shades. For anyone wondering how to spray paint white chipboard furniture, water-based acrylic is the ideal choice. It will lie flat and dry quickly, without odor or health consequences. To paint laminated chipboard you will need a composition with increased adhesion, and you should not dilute it with water.
• Alkyd (enamel). Alkyd enamel is harmless, economical in use and does not turn yellow over time. The surface dries quickly and becomes glossy. If the furniture has metal parts, they will be protected from corrosion. Fresh paint has a specific smell.
• Latex (silicone). Water-based paint with artificial latex is environmentally friendly, UV-resistant, and dries quickly (within an hour). The composition is often used for the restoration of veneer furniture. The disadvantage is its high cost, as well as the need for careful surface preparation before application.

Coloring Source diy.obi.ru

How to paint chipboard at home

Over time, panels tend to fade, fade in the sun, or they simply become boring. Then you can pick up paint and a brush. This way you can save a significant amount, because if the wallpaper is changed every couple of years, and the curtains are changed at least every month, then furniture is usually bought to last for many years.

First of all, you need to figure out what kind of paint composition is needed to repair furniture. There is a huge range of paint on the market, but not every paint is suitable for the required work.

Principles for choosing paint

An important selection criterion is the place where the furniture will be used. From this point of view, water-based compositions are chosen for home furnishings. They are harmless to health, resistant to abrasion, and the surface painted with them “breathes.”

They act differently if the restored sofa or armchair is planned to be placed on an open veranda. When considering different options for painting a chipboard chest of drawers white, the choice is made in favor of paints with high elasticity. Drying oil-based paints may be a suitable solution, but they take a long time to dry, and under the rays of the sun the oil layer may crack over time.

On the terrace Source pinimg.com

For furniture intended for outdoor use, other compositions with high elasticity are also suitable: alkyd-oil and alkyd. Water-based wood dyes are also intended for exterior use; they are environmentally friendly and preserve the integrity of the layer during changes in temperature and humidity.

Home furniture can be repainted using acrylic, oil or alkyd paint. A composition based on drying oil is affordable, but it is advisable to choose it for working in a vintage style. Based on the totality of its characteristics, acrylic paint is considered the best, and alkyd enamel surpasses it in terms of price/quality ratio and is therefore the golden mean.

Vintage chair decor Source in-stadtmagazine.de

Production technology

The chipboard manufacturing process is as follows:

1. The chips are sorted by size - layers of different chips are alternated in the slabs. Larger chips are located in the center, smaller chips are located at the edges. This is how the strength of the material is achieved.
2. The workpiece is sent to a press, where under the influence of high temperature and pressure the chips are converted into a monolithic slab.
3. After the slab has cooled, it is cut into pieces of the desired size.
4. After inspection, the chipboard is sent to the workshop for sanding, lamination and other processing methods.

Technology can change. For example, to produce single-layer chipboard, large chips are additionally crushed using special equipment.

If there are insufficient quantities of natural binding elements (contained in coniferous wood), synthetic binding agents are added to the chips during production.

How to paint correctly: secrets of painting and decor

Tips on how to repaint old furniture white step by step include all the important steps, from surface preparation and paint selection to painting technology. However, important little things that simplify the process and improve the result are often overlooked. The following tips will undoubtedly be useful:

• It is useful to stock up on several brushes of different sizes (thicknesses). It is convenient to handle large surfaces and decorative elements using a spray gun.
• The wooden surface is painted along the grain with smooth movements, the brush is lowered into the jar no more than a third.
• If there are fittings on the furniture façade (handles, locks), they are removed during painting or wrapped with mounting tape.

In the kitchen with a touch of Provence Source archidea.com.ua

• Aerosol paint is used uneconomically, for example, when painting a chair. But it is convenient to work with fittings or decorative elements. Color is applied to small details with an aerosol faster and more evenly than with a brush.
• Using spray paint and a stencil, you can apply a pattern to a wooden surface. For example, a plastic lace napkin is suitable as a stencil.
• Furniture in retro or Provence style can be decorated with decorative stucco molding made of polystyrene foam or polyurethane. The decor is attached with wood glue; paint the product after the glue has dried.
• Masking tape is a useful addition to the job. It will protect the already painted part from getting another dye.

Fittings are important for style Source mydecorative.com

Idea No. 2. Change furniture fittings

Your old kitchen cabinetry may not even need repainting. Sometimes it is enough to change the handles and change the hinges to more modern ones. Even an Ikea kitchen can be changed beyond recognition.

Briefly about the main thing

You can give obsolete furniture a new life by painting it a different color. The method is also suitable if you want to change your boring interior without going into renovations. Before painting, furniture must be prepared and the type of surface determined.

Preparation is a multi-step process, and skipping its stages is highly undesirable. Different types of paint and varnish products are used for repainting. Stain tints the material, varnish and wax complete the process. The main composition, paint, is chosen based on its performance characteristics. To ensure that the paint lays evenly, surface defects must first be repaired and work in good lighting.

Updating the table using decoupage

Unlimited flights of imagination, transformation of the kitchen countertop and minimal expenditure of effort and time are the advantages that the use of decoupage opens up when the decision is made to make the countertop with your own hands.

In order for the transformation of the countertop to be completed successfully, you should use your imagination and use a creative approach to reconstruction. How to make a table from decoupage - creating your own creative objects or integrating decoupage techniques. When decorating surfaces using this method, you do not need to have any talents or special abilities. Any person can do this task, and a minimum number of tools will be involved, namely: glue, furniture varnish and pictures.

The advantages of such a homemade countertop

The proposed technology has two advantages. Firstly, you can create an absolutely seamless front surface even with an angular location of the working area - this effect cannot be achieved with laminated chipboard. Secondly, the decorative range of sheet plastics is generally disproportionately wider than that of ready-made laminated countertops. In addition to plain items and traditional decor imitating wood or natural stone of various species, unexpected geometric patterns, animal prints and textile motifs are offered. Install the countertop yourself and feel a pleasant sense of pride in your work!

TOOLS FOR HOME AND GARDEN, HANDCRAFTS, ETC. PRICES VERY LOW

When processing the countertop and the upper edge of the apron, the router guide will move along the laminate, and it is very important that the tool does not stop. When it stops, the cutter will go deeper into the laminate. To avoid damage, you can lubricate the edge of the surface with petroleum jelly.

Varnish coating

Used to give an elegant look to products. There are several types of it. Using stain, you can change the color of the varnish, giving it the desired shade. The drying time of this substance is not long. Care should be taken when carrying out work. What are the advantages of varnish:

• protects furniture from wear;
• gives the paint a deeper shade;
• enhances gloss and matte finish;
• the design becomes pleasant to the touch and looks aesthetically pleasing;
• creates shine.

You can apply varnish only when the paint is completely dry. Apply at least two layers (in some cases three), using a brush. The walls and bases of the cabinet, varnished furniture, wear out less and do not become damp.

Attention! A pattern or ornament on the surface is prepared in advance. Immediately before applying the varnish coating.

Choosing plastic for making countertops

There are also plexiglass on sale with its tempting transparency (we do not recommend it, it will quickly get scratched) and PVC sheets (harder than PVC linoleum). There is decorative paper-laminated material HPL (high pressure laminates - high pressure laminate is very popular among furniture makers), and decorative cladding made of impact-resistant polystyrene, and polycarbonate-based plastics... The choice, as always, is based on a study of the properties, and is determined by availability and circumstances applications. Theoretically, you can even use a homogeneous PVC floor covering, but in our case the cladding is made of HPL.