How to Paint Furniture without it Chipping?

Question

I had some bedroom furniture that we decided to paint white for my daughter. It started to chip soon after and looked awful and there was really no good way to touch it up without it looking like it. We now have a different set of furniture and we would like to paint it white again. It is a solid maple, it is currently stained a dark green and has never been painted. I would like to know what the correct steps are to paint this white and make it look showroom quality and have the finish last. Thanks!

Answer 1

I will give the basics.

The most important part is the preparation work. Without doing this correctly you can buy the most expensive paint and it'll peel. So take your time to PREP!!!!

That entails lightly sanding everywhere your going to paint using fine grit sand paper. This will allow the surface to be roughed up for the primer to adhere to.

Wipe it down after sanding to remove the fine dust that accumulates.

Apply a quality primer(follow directions on the paint)

Use a quality paint once the priming steps are completed(read can for instructions)

Lastly:

Apply a clear coat if you so choose. This will add a bit to the cost but it'll add durability to the finished project. If you skimp on a quality paint and primer than you have wasted your efforts, long term quality/appearance will be affected.

Save some left over paint for any touch ups you might need to make down the road..

and remember....

PREP!!!!

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Answer 2

Your primer is also key.  Because it has been stained a green colour, get a good "problem solving" primer... Here in Canada, we have one called "Kilz".  It's an excellent primer to use over stained wood.  No need to sand after priming...that defeats the purpose.  Sand before priming of course.  Then use a good quality latex paint.

Answer 3

Most answer are correct so far, but I would use alkyd primer for sure.  I would then use latex paint for the next 2 coats, sanding before the last coat.  Sheen makes no difference.  Here is a big factor, whereever you are painting this furniture, do so in an environment with low humdity.  Making sure that paint cures properly will give you the maximum performance of the paint you choose.  And lastly, pick a paint product without using the cheapest.  You will get just what you pay for.  And always, buy the best brush, rollers and tapes that you can afford.

Answer 4

I definitely recommend going to your local home improvement store.  In the U.S. at least there's a spry paint in a can with a real easy nozzle and you can spry from any direction with it.  It also won't even chip on plastic stuff.

You could also skip the paint and apply a finish to the wood (after removing old stain).  My grandfather makes lots of beautiful wood furniture and never uses paint.  Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Usually store bought furniture has a lacquer based finish.  For this reason I would not use an oil based paint.  It would never stick.

You should scuff sand your furniture to insure the best adhesion.  I would use Kilz2 primer.  It is a latex based primer.  You must use water based paint because you don't know what the original finish is.  

(Water based can go over anything, but you can't put water based under oil based becasue the oilbased and lacquer based products do not expand or contract in heat and humidity whereas water based products do.)

Then I would take the time to sand the primer.  It's not necessary, but it will make it look so much nicer in the end.  Just gently sand out the brush marks wit 220 grit paper, if you want to take the time to do it.  After it is primed (and sanded if you chose to--make sure to wipe the dust off) you can paint it.  I prefer to use a paint pad when painting flat surfaces, but if there are carvings and such, you'll probably be better off with a brush.   When you paint, take the extra time to do two light coats rather than one heavy coat.  Again, it'll make it look better in the end.

Because you are painting it white, you could use spray cans to paint it as well, which wouldn't leave brush marks.  But it takes a little practice to spray a large surface without it having overspray.  If you used a flat sheened spray paint, that wouldn't happen anyway.

Answer 6

Sand

Prime

Sand

Paint

Answer 7

Speak to someone in the paint department at your local home improvement store.

You need to remove the old finish completely.  Then sand.  Use a primer that is compatible with your paint.

Paint it, then use a compatible varnish.  In other words, use all water based or oil based products, generally speaking.

Answer 8

As a House painter for many years I can tell you that the best way is to sand it first to make the surface smooth using medium sandpaper. After that use a coat of oil primer and sealer finished off with white oil base spray paint. You can also use a brush if you don't like the cans. But buy a brush that's made for oil base paints. The wrong brush can cause streaks that will destroy your paint job.