You CAN Paint Wood Furniture Without Sanding—Here’s How

It’s a common belief that you must sand furniture before painting it. But that isn’t the case. It’s possible to paint wood furniture without sanding it first. With the proper painting method and supplies, you can get a flawless painted finish and skip sanding altogether.

To paint wood furniture without sanding, clean the surface with TSP or an alternative, then use a deglosser to remove the sheen from the piece and apply one coat of bonding primer. Once the primer is dry, paint the piece with water-based paint. When the paint dries, seal it with a top coat.

Let’s look at how to prime and paint wood or laminate furniture without sanding, starting with the best paint to use. You’ll also learn the best way to test for adhesion so you can be confident your new paint will last.

What’s the Best Kind of Paint to Use Without Sanding?

You can choose from several types of paint to use on furniture without sanding it first. Fusion mineral paint, chalk paint, water-based latex paint, and milk paint with a bonding agent are all excellent choices.

Each has different characteristics, so choosing the one that will give you the best results for your project is essential.

Mineral Paint

Fusion mineral (on Amazon) paint is a water-based acrylic resin paint known for durability and easy application. In addition, it’s self-leveling, so it doesn’t require sanding before or after painting.

It resists scratches, stains, and fading and is thicker than most other types of paint, so it’s less likely to drip and sag. And it has excellent coverage, so you’ll need fewer coats.

Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is a water-based calcium carbonate paint that offers good coverage and a velvety, matte finish. It’s easy to apply without sanding and doesn’t require a primer.

Some chalk paints, like this one from Rust-Oleum (on Amazon), don’t need a topcoat, but most will benefit from a clear wax or polyurethane topcoat (on Amazon) to protect the paint and furniture from wear and tear.

Milk Paint with Bonding Agent

Milk paint (on Amazon) is a water-based paint made from milk proteins, limestone, and pigment. It has a chalky finish and comes in a limited range of colors.

You can use it without sanding, but you’ll get the best results if you add a bonding agent (on Amazon) to help the paint adhere to glossy surfaces. To apply, mix equal parts of paint and bonding agent for the first coat.

Water-Based Latex Paint

Water-based latex paint (on Amazon) is the most common paint used for furniture. It offers good coverage in a wide range of colors. Choose gloss or semi-gloss for the most durable finish.

You can use it without sanding, but you’ll get the best results if you lightly sand the surface first or use bonding primer to help the paint adhere.

How to Prime Furniture to Paint Without Sanding

Once you’ve chosen the paint you want to use, it’s time to prime the furniture. This step is vital because it will help the new paint adhere to the surface and give you better coverage.

1. To prime, start by cleaning the furniture with TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove any grease, dirt, or grime that could prevent the paint from adhering.

2. Once the furniture is clean, prepare the surface with a deglosser (on Amazon) or liquid sander to remove any existing wax or polish and roughen the surface so the primer will adhere.

3. After deglossing the surface, apply one coat of a high-quality bonding primer, like BIN primer (on Amazon), with a paintbrush or roller and let it dry completely before painting.

Note: Some primers are incompatible with TSP, so use an alternative like Krud Kutter (on Amazon) to degrease the surface. You can also use Dawn or Palmolive dish soap in warm water.

How to Paint Wood Furniture Without Sanding

With your furniture clean and primed, you can begin painting. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Disassemble the furniture if possible to make painting easier. Remove any knobs, pulls, or hardware and set them aside.

2. If you do not take the furniture apart, tape off any areas you don’t want to be painted with painter’s tape.

3. Use a paintbrush or roller to apply the paint evenly in long strokes in the same direction as the wood grain.

4. Let the paint dry completely between coats and sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper if necessary to remove any brush strokes.

5. Apply a second coat of paint to achieve the desired coverage and let it dry completely.

6. Add a clear wax or polyurethane topcoat to protect the paint and furniture from wear and tear.

7. Once the paint is dry, reassemble the furniture and add any removed hardware; allow the paint to cure for at least 24 hours before using it.

How to Paint Laminate Furniture Without Sanding

You can paint laminate furniture the same way you would paint any other type of furniture, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Since laminate is composed of compressed plastic and resin, the surface is more slippery than wood, making it harder for the paint to adhere. For this reason, priming is the most important step when painting laminate furniture.

Clean and degloss the surface, as with any other furniture. Then, apply a coat of bonding primer so the paint will adhere properly. Once the primer is dry, use your preferred paint to achieve the desired coverage, then finish with a clear topcoat to protect the paint job.

Pro Tip: How to Test for Adhesion

If you’re unsure if the paint will adhere to the surface, you can do a test by painting a small section.

To do this, clean, degloss, and prime the surface as usual. Then, paint a 2×2 inch square in the corner or on the underside of the furniture. Let it dry for 24 hours, then test the paint by scratching it with your fingernail or the top of a screw.

If the paint comes off easily, it’s not adhering correctly, and sanding may be necessary before applying primer and paint. On the other hand, if the paint adheres well and doesn’t come off, you can paint the rest of the furniture.