Painting of furniture is another common method of furniture restoration whereby furniture is given a new look to match the current furniture styles. Whether it is repainting kitchen cabinets or rejuvenating a boring dresser, this is where it starts and therefore choosing the right paint is crucial. These combined with the type of furniture require different paint solutions; oil, latex, acrylic, or any other type of paint including special paints like chalk and milk paints. Also, picking the right application method; such as brush, roller, or sprayer can also improve the outcome.
Latex Paint for Furniture: Affordable and Versatile
Latex paint is perhaps one of the most popular home paints and is used mostly on the walls Many latex paints are low or no VOC, which makes them suitable for use indoors especially where the quality of air is important. It is possibly the most recognized brand for its availability in almost all possible colors and in gloss, semi-gloss, and satin sheen.
Best for:
However, latex paint can be applied on wooden furniture and this requires preparation. Latex paint is the best type of furniture paint that is not used for furniture that will be frequently used since it is relatively cheap. Sanding is required to achieve good adhesion because latex paint does not stick well to a smooth surface. Primer coating is also very important even if the paint is advertised as a paint and primer formula.
Latex paint offers a variety of finishes, each suitable for different furniture projects:
Flat (Matte): This finish gives a smooth and matt texture and it is suitable for furniture that is not used frequently. Chalk paint may be a more durable matte paint for furniture, although it is not quite as hard-wearing as the original Farrow & Ball product and is better suited for use on larger items of furniture where it will not be subjected to as much handling.
Satin or Eggshell: These finishes are perfect for people who want a matte finish but require more resilience. The satin finish is slightly reflective, easier to clean and it is suitable for light usage furniture.
Semigloss: This finish is used in furniture and has excellent light reflection, durability, and washing resistance. It is ideal for furniture that gets worn frequently, and such a surface has a slightly glossy appearance that many like.
Gloss: In regard to the degrees of both wear and cleanability, gloss paint is acknowledged to possess a very high degree of durability. But it is essential to prepare the surface well because the shine will emphasize blemishes. If this finish is selected, then much attention must be paid to the surface where it will be applied and possible defects must be eliminated.
Consideration
The first thing that anyone can think of when choosing latex paint for wooden furniture is the strength of the paint. It can also have a shorter life span than other paint types, but using proper surface preparation, it should last longer.
Cost of Latex Paint
In this case, the price of latex paint depends on the brand, the type of finish, and the quality of the paint. A gallon of latex paint costs between $15 and $50 on average, to cater for the different classes of consumers.
Chalk Paint: Trendy and Perfect for a Distressed Look
Chalk paint is perfect for giving a furniture piece a smooth and flat appearance that is fashionable and trendy. Especially it is loved for becoming muddy and giving a worn-out look to clothes, thus it is perfect for a “farmhouse” or “country chic” look. Chalk paint is now widely used for redoing antique furniture or providing a vintage look to new furniture.
In case the furniture is likely to be touched often then it is very important to apply a wax sealant that may not scratch or chip easily. However, the wax will provide the surface with a soft glow and does not detract from the flat, non-sheen finish that makes chalk paint so popular. There are many types of wax on the market but most chalk paint manufacturers also have their own wax sealants available.
No Primer Needed
A benefit of using chalk paint is that it may not need a primer most of the time because it is easy to apply and produces a smooth surface. To achieve durability, a painter should allow the paint to dry before applying the next layer but, as it is with the chalk paint, the paint dries very fast.
Non-toxic and Easy to Clean
Chalk paint is water-based and has no strong smell, so it is suitable for interior decoration. Cleaning it is easy, and with just soap and warm water, it is easier to clean than most other baby products.
Milk Paint: A Trendy, Matte Finish for Distressed Looks
Milk paint is another variety of paint that has become quite a favorite with home decor designers and crafters due to the matte it provides which is nearly similar to that of chalk paint. It can be applied on any surface but the degree of penetration and therefore the final color could be slightly different.
Durability and Customization
Another advantage of using milk paint is that it is very durable. It dries to a much harder and longer-lasting finish over time. To increase the hardness of the paint surface to make it more resistant to scratching and chipping a bonding agent can be added to the paint powder. For obtaining the full opaque coating, one should start with the primer coat and then apply two to three layers. A single coat, however, can produce a semi-opaque finish which is desirable when you want to produce a washed-out look on wooden objects; ideal for those who want a table or chair to look like an antique piece of furniture.
Easy to Mix and Safe for Indoor Use
Milk paint must be purchased as a powder, and it is applied by diluting it with water, which can give an option to select the hue. It is fast-drying paint that has almost no smell, so it is suitable for working on indoor surfaces. Furthermore, all milk paint powders are safe from toxicity; therefore, the furniture can be used in children’s bedrooms.
Acrylic Paint for Small Furniture and Accent Pieces
Acrylic paint can be used on small furniture or any furniture that doesn’t need an expensive, long-lasting paint job. Such paints are perfect for wooden furniture to be used at home as they provide a smooth surface when dried.
Special Features of Acrylic Paint:
Easy to Apply: Acrylic paint is also self-levelling which makes it very easy to spread across the area of your choice and to work with.
In most occasions, when you use acrylic paint, you can do away with the primer or the final coat. However, light sanding may be required especially if the surface had the previous shiny glossy varnish to it.
It is for this reason that acrylic paint is described as having the ability to self-level that is, when applied it dries with very little evidence of brush strokes.
Drying and Curing Time: This paint dries fast and therefore many coats of paint can be applied within a short time. However, the appropriate time to dry the surfaces is crucial as soon as the project is completed.
Clean-Up: Since it is water-based, cleanup is also easy simply rinsing with water and soap.
Alkyd Hybrid Paint: A Modern Solution for Durable, High-Quality Finishes
Alkyd paint is a water-borne paint that dries to an oil finish and is used in areas where there is heavy traffic this is a water-based enamel that has some properties of both acrylic and alkyd paint.
It gives the vibrant, deep, and rich color of oil paints, but without the smell and toxicity. It dries to a perfect, buttery, non-grainy finish that leaves no brush marks or lines, which makes it perfect for those who want a commercial-quality paint job.
Special Features of Alkyd Hybrid Paint:
Durability: It is very durable, and suitable for furniture used in kitchens or furniture that receives heavy usage.
No Topcoat Needed: An additional top coat is not needed because the paint finish is quite durable, which also reduces the time and energy needed to apply it.
Easy to Clean: As with many of the newer paints, cleanup is easy using only water and soap.
Considerations:
Alkyd Hybrid Paint is one of the best types of paint from the standpoint of its durability and shiny looks, but it takes somewhat more preparation than other paint types. To apply this coating there is no need to sand between coats but it is imperative that the surface be sanded before application.
However, one weakness is that it has a long curing time. While the skin of the product may appear dry in about a day, the curing process takes up to one week. To minimize the risks one should avoid putting other items on top of the painted surface or shifting the item for a week to 10 days post-painting.
Oil-Based Paint: A Durable Choice with Considerations
Oil-based paints are very famous due to their high degree of color penetration and versatility in application. These paints give a tough and shiny finish in each successive coat, and it is not possible to see brush marks or roll marks. Oil-based paint is one of the most resilient of all paint types that are used in wood furniture and therefore provides long-lasting results.
Special Features of Oil-Based Paint:
Rich Color Saturation: Gives rich saturated hues that allow furniture to look even more attractive.
Durability: It provides a very durable surface that cannot be scuffed, scratched or worn out easily and is therefore good for use on furniture that is frequently used.
Smooth Finish: Applies it to give a perfect finish with no brushstrokes as far as the number of coats applied is concerned.
Considerations:
Some of the disadvantages of oil-based paint are that it is relatively expensive takes a long time to dry, and also requires good air circulation because it is a strong VOC. In some areas, such paints are prohibited because of their components.
Cure Time: Oil-based paints take up to 24 hours to dry between coats but they cure much faster than water-based paints therefore taking overall less time.
Fusion Mineral Paint: Durable and Eco-Friendly for Furniture
Fusion Mineral Paint is a combination of natural minerals with acrylic resin to help it stick well to surfaces and be long-lasting. Available in over 50 colors and in custom variations, it is ideal for furniture painting. It comes with a clear coat in the paint but can have an extra top coat added for added durability.
Fusion Mineral Paint has no toxicity, no lead, almost no smell, and it does not contain hazardous materials such as ammonia and formaldehyde. This is an ideal product for making simple modifications to furniture and cabinets because it needs almost no preparation.