Painting veneer furniture is a good idea to refresh old furnishings, which you don’t want to get rid of. Are you bored with the decor, dream of a living room with white furniture and want to paint it yourself? You will find all the information in this article!
Painting veneer furniture – where to start?
Preparing furniture is quite simple. Imagine what effect you want to achieve – is it necessary to paint the furniture on all sides (for example, in the kitchen), if they are adjacent to each other; is it enough to paint the cabinet from the outside, or do you also need to paint the middle? It’s worth knowing the answer to these questions beforehand, because these factors will determine how much furniture paint you will use, and therefore how much cost you will incur and how much time you will devote to the interior variation.
Disassemble the furniture (in the case of cabinets, for example, if you’re only painting the doors, simply pull them off the handles and unscrew the handles) and secure it in places where you don’t want paint to get in. Prepare the stand where the painting of veneer furniture will take place. All you need is a large cardboard box laid out on the floor.
Laminated surface thoroughly clean. First, scrub the top layer until you have a smooth surface. Next, get rid of the dust left on the surface (a damp cotton cloth will be useful), and finally, with the help of extraction gasoline, degrease the furniture.
What paints to use when refinishing veneer furniture?
Paint manufacturers leave their customers with many options to choose from, because depending on your needs, the desired effect, as well as the finish, you can use many types of paint. The exam will pass paint for wood and metal – because of its full coverage will be a great choice.
Acrylic paint
It is one of the most frequently chosen paints when refinishing furniture. It dries quickly and is durable. The paint does not provide full coverage, so you need to be prepared to apply several coats (3-4).
Chalk paint
This is a fantastic option if you dream of furniture with a matte finish. In addition, the use of pastel color (there are so many trendy options this season!) will intensify the wow effect and give the interior a unique atmosphere. The paint is extremely durable, however, its use requires finishing with varnish or wax, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
Phthalic paint
Otherwise known as oil paint, it has both its fans and opponents. It is by far the most durable enamel, but the long drying time and the releasing, peculiar, oil smell discourage many DIYers. Undeniably, it’s a great choice when refinishing heavily used surfaces such as countertops. However, you should be careful when painting veneer furniture white – over time, the paint can turn yellow not pretty.
Related: Furniture veneering – a quick way to give home furnishings a second youth
Patinating paint
Patinating Is a very effective method to enhance the visual effect of old objects. Furniture restored in this way can change beyond recognition. The preparations you need are special products for aging furniture such as wax and paste. There are many methods and you will certainly find useful acrylic paint, chalk paint, as well as varnish.
Painting veneer furniture step by step
Painting is not a complicated process, all you need is a little precision and, in some cases, arming yourself with patience. Follow the rule that it’s better to add another layer than to build up too thick right away.
Painting with acrylic paint
If you care about Cand time, this method was created with you in mind. After the initial preparation, it’s time for the first coat. Depending on the paint you choose, this will be a primer or outright acrylic enamel. A protective layer will definitely work well for painting utility surfaces(countertops, desks) to enhance their resistance and durability.
Prepare a small paint brush and paint roller. One with rounded ends will further prevent you from leaving streaks. Apply thin layers, slightly overlapping the earlier roller motion. Before you start applying the next coat, wait the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. This is usually about 3-4 hours.
Apply the next coat in a similar manner -thinly and overlapping the previous roller movement. Again, wait. If the effect is satisfactory, painting veneer furniture can be finished after three coats; dark furniture will require some more.
After the final coat is applied, the furniture should dry longer, for full hardening and to ensure the enamel’s durability.
Painting with chalk paint
To paint with chalk paint you need a soft brush, the choice of round or flat shape depends on your preference. The plastic of the tool will affect the final look and texture. Synthetichair will provide a smoother surface, natural while it will leave a fine texture to the brush strokes.
On a previously prepared piece of furniture, apply the first coat of paint. Apply thin layers in such a way that the brush can glide smoothly over the surface. If you feel that the paint is resisted by its density and there is no contraindication from the manufacturer, you can dilute it with water.
If the effect of the first painting is satisfactory to you, you can proceed to finish painting. Otherwise, wait a minimum of one hour before applying another coat(check the recommended time on the paint package). Then repeat the paint application process.
Finally assess whether the paint has been evenly applied, i.e., whether the brush movements are not too visible, no small paint clumps have formed or no individual brush hairs remain on the layer. Remove all imperfections with the help of fine-grained paper with very gentle, sliding motions. It is better to do them more than with a few harder to destroy the previous work.
Finally, apply a protective coat over the paint, in the form of wax or clear varnish. That’s it, your piece of furniture is ready!
Painting with oil paints
This is probably the most time-consuming, while leaving the most lasting effect method. When choosing a brush, remember that it should not be made of natural bristles – under the influence of paint it will stick together, leaving an unattractive effect.
On the cleaned surface apply the first coat of paint. It should be quite thin – oils take a long time to absorb, and already a small amount of paint gives the effect of full coverage. Then let it dry initially for at least a few hours.
Applying a second layer looks similar. Here you can finish painting with paint. Leave the furniture to dry, preferably for a minimum of 24 hours to ensure that the paint has cured properly.
Patinating
Patinating is a method of aging furniture that will only work if the furniture is wooden. If your veneer is film PCV, the process will be ineffective. Working with veneered furniture, there will be no problem.
Prepare cotton cloth and cotton wool, they will be a key element in aging your furniture. Place the wadding in the center of the cloth and tie or wrap it, creating a small bag of fill.
Related: Renovating an old bathtub – what kind of bathtub enamel will work?
Applying the transparent coat method, first apply stain in your chosen,darker color to the cleaned furniture. Apply it evenly and in thin layers. Use repeating movements in one direction.
In the next step, after the stain has dried, use a primer that will enhance the durability of the effect. Apply it with a large, wide brush.
The next layer is white wax, rubbed into the patinated surface with a cotton cloth. This will help to unify the tone of the furniture, while bringing out the color of the stain. This will give the impression of wipes that age its appearance.
Finally, repeat the activity, this time using clear wax. Use a material of steel wool to spread it. Let the furniture dry thoroughly for a few hours before screwing it back together.
Painting old veneer furniture – is it different?
Renovating older surfaces is done in a similar way to refinishing new furniture. Because of their age, they may be more damaged, and thus will require more thorough cleaning before painting. It is possible that over time of use, gaps and dents have appeared in the surface, which can be filled in with, for example, filler.
Painting veneer furniture is an easy way to change your interior with little cost. Maybe you will find that you will discover your new hobby? If you have experience in restoring such equipment, share your story in the comments!
