- January 16, 2020
- Repair Tips
- Daniil Belousov
It is always a pity to throw away old furniture, especially if it was made of natural wood, the cost of which today can be several hundred thousand rubles. In this regard, many are interested in how to paint an old wardrobe or chest of drawers. The choice of paintwork seems so varied that it is very easy for a beginner to get confused in such an assortment.
However, it should be said right away that all colorful materials can be conditionally divided into two groups. The first group includes water-soluble paints, which consist of soluble pigments, as well as additional additives, and the second group includes insoluble paints (also called oil paints). To dilute the latter, only special solvents can be used.
Which material to choose?
Before deciding what paint to paint wooden furniture with, it is worth paying attention to the fact that painting of this type is usually carried out in several stages. That is, you cannot simply clean the surface and apply a new layer of paintwork. In this case, the product will look very unpresentable.
In order to update the color coating yourself, you will need to purchase:
- Primer. It is necessary for better adhesion of the paintwork to the wooden surface itself. Thanks to the primer, the paint will not peel off for a long time. The product will last much longer. Sometimes, instead of a primer, ordinary water-based or other paint is used. However, a specialized composition will be cheaper.
- Wood putty. It will help smooth out minor defects on the surface. The putty can be selected depending on the specific type of wood. Usually these are colored compositions that can be very easily selected.
- Paint and varnish. You can choose these compositions depending on your wishes and preferences. It is necessary to consider how exactly the old furniture will be used. Sometimes it is more convenient to cover a layer of paint with varnish, which will not only give a beautiful shine, but will increase the service life of the furniture.
Additionally, brushes and rollers are needed. You should also immediately purchase a protective mask (usually a respirator is sufficient), gloves and goggles. The fact is that some types of paints are dissolved using rather aggressive compounds. Do not allow such fumes to come into contact with eyes or respiratory organs.
When deciding what paint to paint wooden furniture, it is worth exploring all the options available. There are several of them, and each has its own characteristics. Let's take a closer look.
How to choose the right one
There is no universal enamel that suits all interior items. When choosing, pay attention to the degree of neglect and operating conditions. To find paint for furniture, you need to use the rules.
Types of materials
Interior items made of wood absorb enamel more than plastic or metal facades. For coniferous wood, 2-3 layers of finishing are used; for maple, beech and birch, one is enough. Composite particle boards cannot be painted with solvent-based compounds.
Options for furniture Source kraskidlyamebeli.ru
If you need to revive the design of vintage interior items, it is recommended to use varnish. Glazed transparent material will make facades bright, add luxury and gloss. The coating will perfectly hide small cracks and small crevices and emphasize the volume of the carving.
Beautiful glossy facade Source nn.ru
Silicone paint can help change leather or leatherette upholstery. Wicker furniture is painted with acrylic. The original natural gloss of rattan interior items will be returned:
- wax;
- tinting impregnation;
- varnish
Second life of the closet Source yandex.ua
Water-based paints
Of all types of paints for wooden furniture, they are the cheapest. But it is not only due to their low cost that they have become widespread. The fact is that this type of paint is considered the safest. The composition has almost no odor. It is non-toxic as all components are natural.
Another advantage of this paint is its versatility. It is suitable for any surface. Choosing a shade is also not difficult. In addition, water-based paints dry very quickly. They are used for children's rooms or rooms where people will be present immediately after painting.
However, such compositions also have disadvantages. For example, the finished paintwork is not at all resistant to a humid environment. This means that if the furniture is in the bathroom, it will very quickly become saturated with moisture. Also, you should not use such compositions for the kitchen.
But there is a way out. Not all water-based paints have this effect. For example, latex-based water-based paint is on sale today. This composition is characterized by increased stability, is more expensive, but is suitable for almost all types of premises. We are talking about improved compositions, which include binders and various additives that increase the performance characteristics of paintwork.
How to care for painted furniture
Painted furniture facades do not require special care. You need to remember what you absolutely cannot use:
- all types of solvents;
- cleaning products containing abrasives;
- hard sponges.
In order to clean painted furniture from dust and dirt, any foaming detergents, polishes with wax, or products containing alcohol are suitable. The room where painted furniture is located should not be too humid and hot.
You need to care for painted wooden furniture using polish and wax. Restoring furniture with your own hands is not so difficult, the main thing is to approach the process thoroughly. Based on the characteristics of the furniture, where and how it is used and your wishes for the result, it will not be difficult to make a choice of paint. Then, following the recommendations, boldly begin to implement the plan.
Latex paint
As mentioned above, such a composition can be called more perfect. This paint penetrates very quickly into the wood and forms a reliable protective film on its surface. As a result, the furniture is not at all afraid of moisture. Moreover, such a coating can even be safely washed with a soft sponge and dishwashing detergent.
If we talk about the disadvantages of latex paint for wooden furniture, then it is worth highlighting the higher cost. Since additional components have been added to the composition, it is not surprising that it will cost more. Another disadvantage is that latex paints do not tolerate low temperatures. Therefore, these compositions are suitable only for interior work. This means that they can be safely used for furniture.
Under different conditions
There are suitable materials for every occasion. Let's figure out how the conditions for using a cabinet in the bathroom differ from a shelving unit in the living room, what are the requirements for coating in one case or another, what paint is suitable for furniture in different rooms.
Living room
The interior of the living room is conducive to communication and relaxation. Furniture in this part of the house should be pleasing to the eye and comfortable. Use high-quality and safe materials, and it will last you a long time.
Children's room and bedroom
Safety First: Choose non-toxic materials. They should not emit volatile organic compounds that cause allergies and health problems. The EN 71 certificate for European materials confirms their compliance with international standards and allows use for children's furniture and toys.
It is important that the coating is strong enough to withstand children's games and not harm the baby. Pay attention to formulations with high resistance to washing and detergents.
Kitchen
A comfortably furnished kitchen makes life easier for the owners. This is not only a room for preparing food, but also a dining room and sometimes a living room. It should be a pleasant place to start the day with breakfast, gather guests and, of course, cook your favorite dishes.
Kitchen surfaces are frequently and intensively used; the furniture's surfaces must be up to the task. To be able to place hot dishes on the table, the paint must withstand temperature changes; to keep everything clean - withstand frequent wet cleaning, detergents and mechanical stress.
Over time, furniture wears out: cabinet fronts and doors darken, marks from a knife or glasses become visible on the table, and some parts of the fittings may break off. To preserve the color of facades, choose materials with a stable color that does not yellow over time. Paints that are compatible with each other leave room for restoration and future renovation.
Don’t forget about safety: the family spends a lot of time here, so dyes should not be harmful to health.
What paint for painting furniture should be:
- moisture resistant and durable
- safe
- has a stable color
- leaves the possibility of repainting and restoration
Bathroom
The coating of bathroom furniture must withstand constant temperature changes, high humidity, exposure to detergents and protect against mold formation. It is also important to take care of safety: bathrooms, as a rule, are not ventilated enough, so it is better to choose materials that are not harmful to health.
For different purposes
In our catalog you can choose varnishes and paints that match your desires and capabilities. A separate line of materials has been developed for each painting purpose.
The goal is to quickly update the color of the furniture without extra effort. For such cases, Mirabella paint and the Vernes Perfect line were created. How to use is intuitive, so they can be used for painting by anyone who has never tried this: complete beginner decorators or families with children.
Mirabella paint combines a reliable primer, rich color and durable coating. Works on any surface from wood and metal to foam and glass, including varnished and glossy. For better adhesion, shiny products need to be lightly treated with sandpaper; in other cases, the preparatory stage comes down to cleaning the product from dust and household dirt and degreasing.
The goal is to create a multi-layered texture. To artistically age a product, create vintage effects and use other decorative painting techniques, Annie Sloan paints or the Vernen Shabby line are suitable. Picturesque scuffs in the shabby chic style and all kinds of textures can be created using this paint. Transparent or colored wax is suitable as a finishing coat, so the surface becomes durable, and the scope for creativity only expands.
The goal is unusual decorative elements. Mother-of-pearl, metallics, gold, silver or slate - spectacular paints for decorating architectural elements and interior items bring the most daring design ideas to life.
The goal is restoration. If chips, dents and other defects have formed on the surface of the furniture, they can be removed using mastic. Cracks and lost elements are subject to restoration.
The goal is protection. Varnishes and waxes protect wood from external influences and emphasize the natural pattern.
Acrylic paint for wooden furniture
Acrylate water-based paint has gained the most popularity. This is a universal composition that dries quickly and can be used on any surface. Acrylic paint does not pose a threat to human health. In addition, it has fairly high fire safety ratings. That is, paintwork does not spread fire, which is an important parameter when it comes to wooden surfaces.
Another advantage is that this composition does not absorb water. No primer is required to apply paint. Thanks to this, the wood processing process takes much less time.
This paint is sold only in white. To give it the desired shade, just purchase a dye. Another advantage is that latex paint contains special antiseptic additives. That is, wooden furniture will be reliably protected from mold, mildew and insects.
Paint consumption
In this case, it all depends on the specific composition. If the paint is water-based, then, as a rule, it lasts much longer. If we are talking about water-based paints, which are most suitable for processing wood, then 1 liter of this composition is enough for approximately 7-10 square meters.
However, it is worth considering that this indicator is an average. More accurate consumption is indicated directly on the paint packaging. Some water-based paints are enough to cover 15 square meters of surface. If the surface has previously been coated with a primer, this, as a rule, reduces the consumption of coloring compounds.
Preparing for painting
First of all, it is necessary to dismantle all the old fittings. Handles, locks and other elements must be removed. After this, you need to remove the old paintwork. To do this, you can use a hair dryer, specialized compounds, or another option, depending on the situation.
The next step is to sand the surface. To do this, it is best to use different sandpaper of different grits. Next, wood putty is used. With its help, you need to smooth out all the unevenness and repair small holes, chips and cracks. After all these procedures, quite a lot of dust forms on the furniture. You definitely need to get rid of it. To do this, you need to wipe the surface with a damp sponge several times and let the furniture dry.
The next stage depends on what paint you will use to paint the wooden furniture. If the composition does not involve application directly to wood, then you need to coat the surfaces with a primer. As a rule, just one layer is enough. When the primer has dried, you can move on to the main work.
Preparatory work - cleaning furniture and selecting suitable materials
To update old interior items, you will need good furniture paint, but you should not rush to choose finishing materials; you must first prepare wooden products for further work. First of all, the old coating must be removed from the items. To do this, you can use two different methods of cleaning surfaces:
- Chemical cleaning. It involves treating products with special chemicals, which are selected according to the type of old coating. This is an effective cleaning method, but should be used with caution. Strong substances in cleaning products can not only destroy the coating of products, but also the wood itself. When using chemicals, be sure to use personal protective equipment.
- Thermal cleaning. You can remove old paint from chairs and tables using hot steam or air. Using a hair dryer, you can soften the old coating and carefully remove it with sandpaper or a scraper. This is a more gentle method of removing cladding, which is why it is considered preferable.
Before painting, you need to remove the old coating from the furniture.
To paint old furniture with your own hands, you will need a number of materials, tools and consumables that should be purchased in a timely manner, taking into account the requirements for the final visual characteristics of the finished items. Most often, restoration of interior elements requires:
- dye;
- varnish;
- primer;
- putty;
- old newspapers;
- protective glasses;
- gloves;
- respirator;
- emery;
- rubber spatula;
- detergents;
- brushes and roller;
- rags.
Timely preparation of everything necessary for subsequent work will allow you to stay focused on the restoration and carry out all planned repair activities as quickly and efficiently as possible. You should not skimp and use old brushes and rollers for repairs; furniture can be repainted efficiently only with the help of good and new tools.
Painting
Even a beginner can handle this process. But this does not mean that painting does not require care. It is also worth following a few simple rules. First of all, you need to apply the paint material, moving in only one direction. It is best to distribute the paint along the grain of the wood. Then it will lie down and be absorbed much better.
As a rule, one layer is not enough. Some of the paint is absorbed into the wood and the layer becomes slightly transparent. It is recommended to apply the second layer only after the first has completely dried. However, you shouldn’t try too hard either. It is recommended to apply no more than three layers of paint on furniture. Otherwise, the surface will turn out to be lumpy and unattractive.
It is also worth paying attention to the room in which the work is performed. Painting in a damp environment is not recommended. You should also avoid direct sunlight.
Brushes and rollers are selected depending on the dimensions of the furniture. You should not choose the cheapest products. For example, the most affordable brushes are distinguished by the fact that fibers come out of them during use. If they stick to the paint and harden, it will seriously affect the appearance of the furniture. If you have a special paint sprayer at home, you can use it.
