5 mistakes that are often made when decorating a piece of furniture with paint

Painting a piece of furniture seems like a simple task. We might think that it is enough to hold the brush, dip it in the paint and… No, actually it is not as easy as it seems. In fact, we usually make some recurring mistakes that end up worsening the result. Today we are going to analyze them so that you can avoid them from now on.

Painting is one of the most effective resources that exist when it comes to renew the furniture that you have at home. In addition to being an inexpensive solution, it is also easy to apply and the results are very good. If we put our imagination to work we can turn the most conventional furniture into truly spectacular pieces.

However, when decorating a piece of furniture with paint we make mistakes that, if they do not totally spoil the result, they do make it considerably worse. Here you can discover some of these common mistakes.

Prioritize price over quality

If renovating furniture with paint is cheap, why gamble using low-quality enamels and products just to save money? Worth invest a little more in good paints that provide us with the best result. They are more covering and resistant, and it shows. You can use acrylic or water-based paints, or synthetic or oil-based paints. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.

It is also important choose wisely brushes, brushes and rollers. Bet on quality tools and everything will be much better. Otherwise, there may be bristles from the brush all over the place as you paint.

Do not prepare the furniture

When starting a project to decorate a piece of furniture with paint, the first thing to do is prepare the piece The best way possible. It is important to review it thoroughly to see if anything needs to be done. Now is the time to glue a leg if necessary, to repair a drawer or to straighten a door.

Then, remove the handles and hardware that you have the furniture, and clean it thoroughly. If you are going to change the handles for different ones and you have to cover holes with putty, or make new ones, you should also do it at this time.

Then comes the moment of deep cleaning. You can apply a specific cleaning product or use soap and water to remove dirt. Do not forget to completely dry the piece.

Do not strip the surface

You may have decided to paint your furniture with chalk paint or chalk paint, a product that adheres well to almost any type of surface, even without the need to apply a previous primer.

However, regardless of the product that you are going to use to decorate the furniture, it is always convenient pick off the piece, to achieve the best result. It is necessary to use a specific stripper and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply the product generously, let it work for the necessary time and then remove the softened layer of paint.

Once you have removed all the old paint from the furniture, it is necessary neutralize the effect of the stripper rubbing the wood with a cloth soaked in alcohol.

Applying too much paint

Once you have repaired and cleaned the furniture you want to paint, it’s time to grab the brush or roller and start working. It is at this time that one of the most common mistakes in this type of work is usually made: spend with the amount of paint thatthat we catch with the tool.

If you apply a lot of paint with the brush, you run the risk of appearing marks and drips of paint. It is much better to drain the brush well and apply thin layers of paint, even if you have to apply three coats. It will fit you much better.

Do not seal the finish

Once you have finished painting the piece and have given it the necessary layers, allowing it to dry completely between them, it is important protect the bottom line. On many occasions it seems to us that this last step is not necessary, and we skip it, leaving the painting without a layer of varnish. However, this is not a good idea since the varnish is a great protection to ensure that the paint does not deteriorate. You can apply a colorless matte varnish It will not add shine or change the color of the paint.

Another option is apply a layer of colorless wax. You must give it with a round brush and wait for it to penetrate the surface of the wood. The next day you will have to polish it by rubbing with a lint-free cotton cloth until it is more or less shiny. Of course, you must be careful with water and liquids, as they leave a mark on waxed surfaces that is difficult to remove.

Whether you apply varnish or wax your new painted piece, you will ensure that it remains in perfect condition for a long time.