painting furniture

Roger, I haven’t painted furniture in a very long time. Proper preparation, quality paint, primer, sand between coats. Some people put a finish over the last coat of paint. Have fun, Charlie

I’ve painted furniture, two pieces. A big ugly wall unit (that now looks much better), and a large dining table. You are going to have to bite the bullet and go oil based, water based just won’t hold up. The wall unit is easier since it doesn’t get much wear and tear. On the table, I sanded it clean and fine, then 3 coats of primer, sanding in between coats. Then three coats of the finish paint (I used satin, satin, then semi gloss). Then two coats of wipe on poly, gloss, then semi. Most of it was applied with a roller.

The wall unit got one coat of primer and two coats of oil paint. I wasn’t as concerned about a dead flat surface on it. Then a coat of wipe on poly. Gloss. I’m not a fan of gloss, but it’s much clearer than semi, much less satin. All done with a brush.

Now I recall a third piece, a countertop for the laundry room. White oak, sanded flat, three coats of primer, two brushed, one sprayed, sanded between all coats. Then three coats of paint, flat, oil based. Again two brushed, the last sprayed, and I sanded between the first two coats. Then I did some sponge painting with three different colors. Then three coats of marine varnish. The countertop took an afternoon to make, and ten days to finish.

I have painted a few pieces and Daryl has outlined a process that is close to what I did except without the spray coat. It is laborious and I try to avoid painting but sometimes you can’t. Have patience, avoid adult words, count to ten or twenty and take frequent breaks.
Mike D has painted a few large pieces and he has had great success.

Roger,

I have been painting furniture that I have built with poplar and birch plywood for a few years now using an inexpensive HVLP gun with great results. I have been using Benjamin Moore fresh start primer and Benjamin Moore Advance Waterborne Interior Alkyd Paint. With both the paint and the primer I would typically reduce with 5% flowtrol and 5% water then use a 2.0mm needle in the sprayer. I attached a few pictures to give you an idea of how it looks.