Painting wood, whether it is your furniture or other wood projects, can be a fulfilling experience if you know what you are doing. Figuring out the correct way to paint wood can be a daunting task, but you will love how it turns out.
To paint wood, you will need a variety of materials like paint brushes, paint, and protective equipment for yourself. You will also need to sand and prime your wood before you paint it because wood soaks up quite a bit of paint.
Knowing how to paint wood correctly will keep you from making many of the mistakes other people make when they are just starting. Let’s look at what you will need to get started and tips for painting your wood project.
What Supplies Will You Need to Paint Wood?
Depending on the type of project you are working on and the type of wood you have, you may need various materials. This is because some wood and projects need more supplies than others, at least in the beginning.
Here are some of the most common supplies you may need for your wood painting projects:
- Plastic sheet or canvas drop cloth
- Rubber gloves
- Hearing and eye protection
- Clean cloths
- Paint brushes, rollers, or other painting supplies
- Random Orbital Sander (on Amazon)
- Shop Vacuum
- Paint tray
- Sandpaper (appropriate grit strength)
- Tack cloth
- Primer
- Interior acrylic-latex paint
- TSP
While this is not an exhaustive list, it should be enough to get you started on your wood painting project. Depending on the project you are working on, you may need more or less of the supplies listed above.
How to Prep Your Work Area
One of the most important precautions you should take when getting ready for your wood painting project is to prep your work area. Whether you are painting wood furniture or other wood items, you should prepare your work area.
The first step in prepping your work area is to lay a plastic sheet on the floor of the area you will be working. In addition, you should also cover other items in the vicinity of the project so they will not get paint or other items on them.
Once you have covered and secured the area with plastic sheets, you should lay a drop cloth over it, so it is doubly protected from paint. This is because while the plastic does a great job protecting the floor, the drop cloth will further protect it and provide a safe place for you to walk during the project.
At the end of the day, if you plan to do your project indoors, you must ensure that the area you will be working in is prepped and ready before you begin. Taking the time to do this will be well worth your time in the long run.
How to Sand Your Wood
Sanding the wood before you begin painting means you will have a smooth surface free of certain imperfections. Taking the time to sand your wood may be tedious. However, it will allow the paint to go on smoother.
Depending on the condition of your wood or wood furniture, you will need a specific type of sandpaper. Whether your wood has a few imperfections or needs major sanding, you must find the right sandpaper.
A piece of wood that requires a lot of sanding, maybe better when you use more coarse sandpaper, such as that 40 to 60 grit sandpaper. However, if your wood has fewer dings, you may only need a moderate or a finer sandpaper.
Keep in mind that the goal of sanding your wood is to make the surface smooth and not to obliterate the surface. Therefore, if you use more coarse sandpaper when it is unnecessary, you may find that your wood is stripped of its surface, which may require more work.
How to Prime Your Wood for Painting
Once your wood has been sanded down to remove all the imperfections, and the surface is smooth, it is time to prime it for painting. To do this, you have several choices depending on your time and what you want to accomplish.
It is important to prime your wood before painting because it naturally has a porous texture that causes paint to go on unevenly. This means that primer is necessary to even out the surfaces to make your wood look nice and even after painting.
To apply the primer, you will want to use either a brush or a roller, depending on the surface of the wood. Once you have applied the first coat of the paint, you may notice that the wood is either streaked or you can see through it. If this is the case, you will want to apply another coat of primer.
Using a brush is a much better method when applying primer to a surface with edges like the legs on a table. On the other hand, if you are working with a smooth and flat surface, you may want to use a roller to speed up the process.
How to Paint Your Wood
Similar to sanding and priming, the tools you use to paint your wood will depend entirely on the type of wood you are painting and the surface. While brushes work great for most surfaces, be careful with ones not of the best quality.
Read on to learn more about painting wood surfaces with a brush.
Painting with a Brush
- Paint only in one direction.
- Brush with the grain in smooth, even strokes.
- Keep your brush strength light to keep brush strokes from happening.
- Wet the brush lightly before painting.
Keep in mind that painting with a brush requires you to follow the tips above but also to pay attention closely to the work you are doing. This is because you want to ensure that the paint job is done correctly and completely.
Painting Wood with a Roller
Another way to paint the wood for your project is to use a paint roller to make the process go much faster. This works best if the surface you are painting is smooth and has a flatter surface.
If you are wondering how you should paint your wood surfaces with a roller, keep reading.
- Cover the roller in masking tape before painting to remove excess threads.
- Use light pressure when rolling paint on the wood surface.
- Keep the roller mostly dry when applying light pressure for best results.
Using a roller can make the project much easier and faster if you follow the above-listed tips and work slowly.
Painting Wood with a Spray
If you are planning to do quite a bit of painting of wood surfaces, including furniture, you may want to consider alternative methods. This is because brushing and rolling can cause the wood to have minor imperfections that may not be easily fixed.
Spray painting may be a great alternative to rolling or brushing since it can make the job go much faster. Additionally, when you use spray paint, it typically goes on without any streaks or other imperfections.
Keep in mind that if you decide to use spray paint, you must make sure you use the correct type of paint. For example, satin or a semi-gloss is said to be the best type of paint since they work best with a wood surface.
The most important thing to remember when using spray paint is it should be done in a well-ventilated area to avoid respiratory problems. If you can, it is recommended you use the paint outdoors where there is more ventilation.
Sealing and Finishing
The last step of painting wood is ensuring that nothing such as normal wear and tear ruins the surface. This is why sealing and finishing the wood should be done before you call the project complete.
A sealant is a product that creates a protective covering over the painted surface, keeping it from being damaged. The sealant goes on clear but requires you to make smooth and even strokes along the way.
Once a sealant has been applied, you should apply a finish as the last step in painting your wood surface. This topcoat also goes on clear and should be applied carefully with even strokes, especially if you are using a brush.
Keep in mind that many experts say that if your wood surface is not going to be exposed to a lot of harsh conditions, it may not need to be finished. However, in most cases, it is best to go ahead and finish it anyway to preserve the hard work you have done.
Final Thoughts on Painting Wood
The bottom line when it comes to painting wood is it can be done easily if you follow a few simple steps. Painting your wood surfaces or furniture can create the perfect pieces that may last quite a long time if done correctly.