what kind of paint to use for furniture

Clearly, a trip to your local hardware shop to cull paint tin can ofttimes be overwhelming.

There are so many different types of pigment out there!

And knowing which blazon of pigment to cull when painting furniture tin can exist disruptive.

In this guide, you'll learn which paint would exist best for painting all types of furniture.

Whether you are painting woods, laminate, metal or plastic, yous'll notice all the answers you need to get proven results.

Certainly not all article of furniture paint is created equal.

And the terminal thing you desire to practise is spend hours or even days refinishing a piece of furniture just to encounter the pigment end chip, peel, or exist prone to dents and scratches.

Not just are there many dissimilar types pigment , but each has its own unique look, feel and durability.

Y'all may have wondered:

What is the most durable paint for furniture?

Can y'all paint article of furniture with wall paint?

What kind of pigment can you use on furniture without sanding?

Nosotros'll answer these questions and help you feel confident in choosing the correct paint when painting furniture that will last!

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Table of Contents

Durable Paint for Painting Furniture

Easily downward, the most durable pigment is an Alkyd or oil-based paint.

In fact, you merely can't beat the immovability of an oil-based paint.

Yet, it is more than hard to work with.

Non only will it crave mineral spirits or paint thinner for clean-up, merely it as well has a stiff olfactory property that will terminal for weeks even after the pigment is dry.

A good quality brush is a must to minimize castor strokes and it can remain tacky for many hours.

While oil-based pigment takes longer to dry, that likewise ways your terminate tin can get messed up if you endeavor to become back over a office that is partially stale.

It'due south e'er all-time to let it dry out and do any fixes on the 2d coat.

In addition, yous may find Alkyd or oil-based paints not available in your area.

They are no longer sold in our area considering of high VOC.

I was unable to use this paint  on my built-in bookcases, because it's no longer bachelor.

If you lot are sensitive to odors, this is not the pigment for yous.

However, we volition share other paints that are comparable without the potent odour.

One actually of import thing to note, oil-based paint should not be painted direct over latex paints.

If you are going to use an oil-based paint over latex, it must exist sanded first, and so apply a good bonding primer.

In the primer section, y'all'll notice a listing of good bonding primers.

An oil-based paint was used for this bed.

You can run into that it has held up really well for 15 years and 2 boys!

Wall Paint for Painting Furniture

Your basic latex wall paint tin be establish at whatsoever hardware shop can exist used when painting piece of furniture with wood surfaces.

Now it will non hold upwards also every bit an oil-based pigment, but over the years, improvements have been fabricated with latex paint and you'll find that the durability has greatly improved.

Latex paints are rated expert, better and best.

If y'all're using a latex paint on furniture, choose the best quality.

You'll certainly find the coverage and durability more suited for furniture applications.

To minimize brush marks with latex paints utilize a proficient quality brush and add together Floetrol to the paint.

Floetrol fortifies acrylic and latex paints to improve performance and reduce brush marks.

Information technology can as well be added to latex paint when using a paint sprayer.

Floetrol allows latex paint to spray similar oil-based paint.

Latex pigment comes in several sheens: gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell and flat.

A gloss or semi-gloss paint volition not crave a topcoat for protection.

Nevertheless, anything with a lower sheen it's a adept idea to add a protective topcoat.

Now if you want to proceed the sheen down, we would suggest a satin or matte polyurethane topcoat.

Inside the past year we take been using Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane in a matte cease and dear it!

Each coat is equivalent to three coats of protection and nosotros dearest the matte terminate.

Pigment Furniture Without Sanding

This is probably the question I hear most, "can I paint furniture without sanding?"

What is it about sanding that turns people off?

I realize it'south messy, merely sometimes it is necessary to achieve good results.

However, at that place are products that will reduce or convalesce the need to sand.

Deglosser

If you are using a latex paint you tin can first use a liquid sandpaper or deglosser.

This production is wiped on the surface before painting and creates a bond between the two layers of paint.

Liquid sandpaper works well in bonding the layers of paint together.

However, if the original piece of furniture surface has chipping, y'all'll desire to sand and smooth out those areas.

Bonding Primer

Another style you can avert sanding it to utilise a good bonding primer similar Zinnser Cover Stain oil-based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer or Kilz Adhesion Interor/Exterior Primer.

Not only will this create a surface for the new layer of paint to bond to, simply this method as well works well for glossy varnished surfaces.

Chalk Pigment

There are many specialty paints available at present that specify that no sanding is required.

Probably chalk paint is the most well known.

There are many brands of chalk paint to cull from

Nosotros accept used Annie Sloan, Rethunk Junk, Rustoleum Chalked, Americana Chalky Terminate and Behr'southward chalk paint.

In our opinion they all perform about the same, but nosotros prefer to utilise Behr's chalk paint, considering it is less expensive.

Non simply tin it can exist mixed into whatever color, but it as well performs well.

As with all paint make sure to use a skilful quality brush.

Recently one evening nearly 9 pm ,I decided on a whim to paint the lower portion of my coffee tabular array with some leftover white chalk pigment.

Unfortunately, my proficient paint castor was at Steph's firm and I used a cheap brush.

I apace realized that wasn't a great thought.

Because of the inferior brush, all of my brushstrokes were showing.

In one case information technology was dry, it required me to sand out those areas.

It is true you do not need to sand before applying chalk paint.

However, y'all practise need to sand between coats as well as after the final coat for that silky smoothen cease.

Before refinishing this coffee table with chalk paint, it look like it was headed for the trash.

Information technology's astonishing what a trivial paint tin do!

Chalk pigment volition require a topcoat.

Not just are in that location several options, probably the most common is a wax, but for a more durable finish nosotros recommend a polyurethane topcoat.

Conspicuously chalk paint is a finish we dearest to utilize on furniture.

The smooth matte finish and vintage farmhouse look feel we absolutely love.

Doesn't this dining table take that relaxed coastal, farmhouse vibe?

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Milk Paint

Clearly, milk Paint has been around for years, going all the way back to colonial times.

Milk paint is comprised of limestone, dirt, pigment, and the milk protein, which is where milk pigment gets its name.

The milk poly peptide also accounts for the earthy aroma which disappears when the pigment dries.

Milk pigment volition give you a chippy, worn and aged look. The consistency is a lot thinner than well-nigh paints and volition crave more coats.

It will bond to the surface, just randomly bit.

The chipping tin can be somewhat controlled by adding a bonding agent.

All the same,  y'all'll nonetheless go random chipping.

While I accept used milk pigment on a sofa tabular array, chair and hutch, it is not my favorite method of painting furniture.

Because I tin can not control where the paint will bit, I find it difficult to work with.

If you are like me and don't like the unpredictability in your furniture painting, milk paint might not be a good option for y'all.

With that said, if you lot are more artistic and like using lots of layering and distressing, then milk paint is perfect.

Milk paint will also require a topcoat.

On this hutch I used milk paint.

Certainly, there was more chipping than I would accept liked, fifty-fifty though I added a bonding agent to the paint.

Now the black chair was too painted with milk paint and at that place was no chipping on it.

Become effigy?!

Then to requite it a worn and anile await it was sanded.

Painting Laminate Furniture

Yes, laminate furniture can be painted.

Notwithstanding, the key to a durable terminate is it must be prepped first.

Begin with a light sanding to remove the gloss from the surface, then utilise a good bonding primer.

Once the primer is dry, y'all tin add the paint of your pick.

Spray Painting Piece of furniture

Clearly there are times when using spray paint is a adept option.

Start, know it will e'er require more pigment than you lot recall.

The cans don't concord every bit much paint as you retrieve either.

We suggest to overbuy and return what you don't utilize.

There is nothing more than frustrating than to be right in the eye of a projection and run out of pigment!

Steph wanted a high gloss finish on the tool chest dresser  she painted for Aiden's car themed bedchamber.

It is difficult to attain that high gloss, lacquer look without spray paint.

This glossy finish was accomplished with several cans spray pigment.

It tin also exist achieved with a gloss paint and a good paint sprayer.

Painting Metal Furniture

When painting metallic furniture you need to select a paint that is specifically for metal.

Metal is non-porous and requires special pigment.

Await for an enamel pigment that is intended for metal surfaces.

Most spray paint works well on metal, as well as Rustoleum products.

For my outdoor piece of furniture, I used Rustoleum Black Hammered Pigment .

And because I was painting metallic and had many pieces to paint, I used my paint sprayer.

It made quick work for a big project.

Before painting a project like this power-wash first and sand any loose or flaking paint.

For all-time results e'er use two coats of paint.

Another item to keep in listen when painting metal article of furniture is exposure to the elements.

Select a pigment that will help preclude rust if your metal article of furniture will be exposed to rain and snow.

Painting Plastic Furniture

Plastic piece of furniture can easily be painted.

Outdoor furniture such every bit plastic lawn chairs can easily be updated with paint.

Beginning, the furniture should exist cleaned with an ammonia based cleaner to remove any mold or mildew.

Lightly sand the piece of furniture slice to ensure the primer and paint volition bail.

Utilize a spray primer.

Cull a spray paint that states information technology's for plastic.

While most of these spray paints do incorporate a primer, I feel that yous achieve better durability if yous use a separate primer.

My friend Marty at Martsmusings.net totally transformed her lawn chairs with spray paint.

Painting Upholstered Article of furniture​

Yep, upholstered furniture can be painted!

There are a couple different options when selecting pigment for upholstered furniture.

Beginning is chalk paint.

It works well on upholstery.

Now, it must be thinned downwardly with water and applied with multiple coats.

Sanding the fabric between coats volition help the fabric feel softer.

Even though yous tin paint fabric with chalk pigment, the material will feel stiff like sail.

Merely know that the upholstery will experience unlike.

Information technology will not exist equally soft to the touch.

However, it tin totally change an outdated piece of furniture.

Merely take a look at the beautiful upholstered bench that my friend Stacy at Stacyling.com transformed with chalk paint.

The second option is latex paint with a textile medium added to the paint.

Textile medium volition help the paint to bail to the fabric, but once once again, the fabric will  feel strong.

And check out how my friend Carrie at Lovelyetc.com transformed her dated outdoor cushions with latex paint.

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All-time Paint for Bookcases

Latex paint it not the all-time choice when painting furniture like bookcases.

With books being slid in and out and items sitting on the shelves, they e'er seem to stick to shelves painted with latex paint.

This was a concern when I painted my built-in bookcases.

Certainly that'southward why I wanted to use an oil-based paint for this.

Because of air quality regulations in our expanse this pigment it is not available.

However there is a solution, a Urethane Alkyd Enamel pigment.

Not simply does it provide the performance and durability of a traditional oil-based paint, but with the ease and convenience of a h2o-based paint.

This paint can be used for interior and exterior forest or metallic surfaces.

Y'all'll find this type of paint in the following brands, Behr, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams.

This paint is as well an excellent option for kitchen cabinets as well.

Yet, this pigment is non a pigment and primer, and so a separate primer is required.

For Steph's fireplace mantle and surround, we chose Behr's Urethane Alkyd Enamel paint.

Non only is this paint extremely durable, but information technology's also self leveling.

Which ways less brush marks. It's a win win!

Just a note, the consistency is thinner, so you'll need to sentinel for drips.

Non only is the Urethane Alkyd paint wonderful for bookcases, but it gives yous a wonderful finish on article of furniture too.

It's the perfect consistency to apply in a pigment sprayer.

Not only will painting furniture with a sprayer give you professional results, merely it's so fast and piece of cake.

Specialty Finishes

Glaze

A glaze terminate is achieved past applying a semi-transparent color over an already stained or painted surface.

Which transforms the advent of the underlying paint layer with added depth and dimension.

The coat will creates a darkened highlight in corners and profiled surfaces.

As a glaze is added to latex paint, the drying fourth dimension volition increment.

With the increased drying time, you lot'll find you are able to manipulate the effect y'all're trying to achieve more than easily.

Any colour of glaze can be achieved depending on the painted color added.

Information technology is painted over a painted surface so wiped off past hand.

The coat volition remain in the crevices and grooves.

 On Steph's coastal coffee table we used a grey coat to add together depth to the white chalk paint finish.

Every bit you lot can meet, the glaze really accentuated the rustic grain of the painted wood surface.

Saltwash

Saltwash is a paint additive which can be added to any type of paint.

It can be used to create a unique weather worn, layered sunday and salt air soaked look.

Saltwash is fabricated with real sea table salt, and so you volition notice it dries quicker and adheres to almost any surface that takes paint.

This is a fun specialty additive that is easy to use and creates a painted finish that looks layered and aged.

Saltwash was used to create a unique worn finish on this console table .

Saltwash can besides be used for creating aged and worm dwelling accessories.

Applying this finish to a thrifted candlestick created a vintage, worn expect for our tiered tray.

Painted Furniture Topcoats

Practice you lot really need a topcoat or sealer?

Well, that depends on the paint you used.

If you used a chalk pigment or milk paint you must use some sort of protective end.

More often than not we'll use a wax over chalk or milk pigment.

Even so, for a more durable finish a polyurethane tin as well be used.

To forbid the topcoat from yellowing use a water based polyurethane.

Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane in a matte cease happens to be our favorite.

It doesn't yellow and creates an extremely durable finish.

If the paint you cull has a satin, semi-gloss or gloss end, in that location is no need to apply a topcoat.

On the other paw if the paint used has a apartment or eggshell terminate, applying a topcoat is a skilful thought.

Nevertheless, you tin still keep that matte terminate by applying a matte topcoat.

Best Primers for Painting Furniture

There are times when you'll want to utilise a primer before painting your piece of furniture.

If yous accept a furniture piece that'southward raw wood, it is a good thought to utilise primer.

This will ensure that you lot will non get discoloration from knot holes and tannins in the wood .

Not but will it create a smooth finish, only it besides will ensure that the paint bonds well to the wood.

A primer is likewise necessary when painting a latex paint over a oil-based paint in order to create a bail.

When painting laminate piece of furniture applying a bonding primer is a must!

A laminate furniture surface is actually merely a plastic finish and in society for the paint to bail to the surface a bonding primer must be used.

Likewise, if you do not want to sand a glossy surface, you'll demand to use a good bonding primer like Zinnser Cover Stain oil-based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer.

Good bonding primers:

• Zinnser Cover Stain oil-based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer.
• Kilz Adhesion Interor/Exterior Primer

Pro tip:  The  Zinnser Cover tian oil-based primer has a strong odor. You'll want to be sure to have skillful ventilation when using it

Free Painting Furniture Guide

Become our FREE PDF printable guide for choosing the best paint!

It's a quick reference nautical chart to all the paints nosotros've discussed when painting furniture.

Become yours today by clicking on the button below.

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Thanks for spending a little time with united states today.

We hope you've learned a little about different types of pigment and when to employ them.

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And do you feel confident to select the right paint for your projection?

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