Secondhand furniture has become a practical and fashionable solution to furnish a home. Flea markets, antique stores, and yard sales offer a plethora of options for houses seeking those finishing touches. Combine those items with spray paint and your $5 sofa table steal could become a central focus of your living room. What do you need to know about spray painting your secondhand furniture?
Paint Removal
For finished wooden furniture, you'll first need to remove any remaining paint and finish. The type of paint and finish used will dictate the removal materials and techniques that you'll employ. For many items, especially older pieces of wooden furniture, your best bet will be paint or varnish remover. You'll want to use these items outside or in a well-ventilated room in order to avoid being overcome by the fumes. In addition, note that these items are often highly flammable, so store and use them with caution. These items will allow you to soften and then remove the existing paint and finish, sometimes with the aid of a scraper (used delicately).
Sanding
Never underestimate the importance of taking the time to properly sand down secondhand furniture before you even consider painting it. Don't over-sand the furniture, but sand enough to remove any depressions in the wood and to remove any remaining paint and finish. You want a smooth surface that will readily accept prime and paint.
Primer
Once you've removed the previous paint and finish and sanded your furniture, you're ready to prime it. Select a primer based on your painting and finishing plan - for instance, if you're selecting a brightly colored paint for a refinished end table in your child's bedroom, you don't need to worry about matching wood/paint/stain/finish. If you're looking for a more natural wood look, select a primer that closely matches the wood as it is.
Spray Paint
Spray paint is an ideal choice for items that have wooden details or where a rolled coat of paint simply won't work. Spray paint also allows you to be as bold and creative as you'd like when it comes to refinishing furniture. Anything goes. Select a color that complements your furniture or stick with a natural wood finish for that living room accent piece. Spray paint in an open area, with good ventilation. Make sure your primer has fully dried before applying, and if you apply several coats of paint, allow enough time for each to dry fully before moving on to the next.
Finishing
Depending on your paint selection, you may want or need to finish or seal your item before you consider yourself completely done. Polyurethane or polyacrylic are considered the best choices for spray painted secondhand furniture.
