After a few years or even decades, wood furniture is bound to get worn down. However, there’s no good in throwing away fully functional furniture! Instead, you can spray paint your wood furniture to give it a fresh coat and breathe some life back into it. So, how exactly do you go about that?
Firstly, you need to determine what kind of paint you want. You should then sand down and clean the wood for the best possible surface, apply a primer, spray paint it, and then apply a finish. Make sure you leave it alone for 24 hours afterward to ensure the best result.
Let’s take a closer look at how to apply spray paint to wood furniture, as well as how to choose the best paint and materials and what mistakes to avoid.
What is the Best Type of Spray Paint for Wood Furniture?
The first thing you need to know is what the best spray paint is to get it. After all, the paint itself can make all the difference in the process!
Firstly, let’s take a look at the different types. After that, we can recommend some brands for you to try.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is one of the best types of paint for wood and has been used for centuries for that very reason. Oil will seep into the wood and ensure it creates a firm coat as it bonds to the material.
Because of this, it tends to be more forgiving if the wooden surface isn’t perfect in the first place (for example, if it was stained or wasn’t cleaned properly).
Oil-based paint is also excellent at resisting temperature and the elements, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture. So if you have a deck or bench and need to paint that doesn’t get covered in the rain, this is the best choice you can make.
Latex-Based Paint
Latex paint has some significant advantages, like the fact it’s easy to apply and doesn’t give off an odor. It’s also fast-drying, so you can get the quickest results if the furniture is something you have to touch often.
However, it’s not as good at bonding with wood as oil-based paint is, and it’s important to bear that in mind if you have an imperfect surface. It also won’t withstand the weather, making it a poor choice for outdoor furniture.
It can also come off if you clean the furniture thoroughly or with certain products, so you must choose your chemicals carefully.
Acrylic-Based Paint
Acrylic-based paint is a step up from latex because it’s more durable, just like oil. It’s also cheaper than oil-based paint, so those on a budget often turn to it.
It’s a much more recent discovery; some people have been wary of trying it out, but the results have been solid so far. It can even handle the outdoor weather better than latex-based can’t, making it a good choice against the elements if oil-based paint is just too pricy.
Enamel-Based Paint
Enamel is usually used as a finish, but enamel-based paints have become popular in recent years. They provide a glossier finish, as always; oil-based and acrylic-based paints are still top for durability.
The Best Brands of Paint for Wood Furniture
Once you’ve decided which type of paint you want for your wood furniture, you can look at making a purchase. These are the best spray paints for wood furniture:
- Rust-Oleum American Accents Spray Paint (on Amazon)
- Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch
- Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint (on Amazon)
- Krylon Spray Paint (on Amazon)
Rust-Oleum has been around for over a hundred years, perfecting its product, so it’s a solid choice—but Krylon is a close second. If you choose to go with a brand other than these two, ensure you research the reviews and make sure it’s an appropriate type.
What Materials are Needed?
Before you go ahead with spray painting wood, you’ll want to make sure you have all of the necessary materials. Spray painting can be messy, so it’s not just about the finish itself but protecting everything around it. Here’s what to gather:
- Painter’s tape (on Amazon)
- Microfiber rag for wiping down the wood beforehand
- Sandpaper (on Amazon)
- Wood filler
- Degreaser
- Primer to apply before the paint
- Your spray paint
- An enamel finish, with enough left for at least two coats
It’s important not to skip out on any of these. Things like a microfiber rag may not seem like an integral part of the process, but they are used to clean the wood beforehand, and if the paint doesn’t have a good surface to stick to, you might not do an excellent job with the coat.
Can You Spray Paint Over Stained Wood?
You can spray paint over stained (or even previously painted) wood, but you’ll have to take more care. If the wood has already had a similar process done, then it’s much likelier to create an uneven finish or seep into the cracks. Wood filler can be a great way of preventing this.
How to Prep Your Wood for Painting
The first thing you’ll want to do is use your painter’s tape and any other necessary materials to cover everything around it. You need to be extra careful, especially if this is your first time using spray paint, as it can get incredibly messy, and it’s easy to stain something else.
Next, you’ll want to sand the wood with your sandpaper. Use firm strokes to make the top surface even and slightly rough.
You don’t need to go too far down, but you should ensure that there’s enough there for the spray paint to cling to. Previously painted or stained wood may need to be sanded down further.
Once you’ve done that, you should eliminate any dust particles and dirt. Then, wipe it down with a damp microfiber rag, and you can also use a vacuum to be sure you’ve gotten everything.
After that, you’re ready to spray paint your wood.
How to Spray Paint Wood
The first thing you’ll want to do is spray the wood with your primer. While many people skip this step, it’s necessary to use a primer, or you won’t get a good finish.
Apply an even coat and let the primer dry before proceeding with the paint. Then you can go ahead with your spray paint! Let each coat dry before applying another.
The length of time this takes will depend on the paint you choose. For example, latex-based paint dries quickly, whereas oil-based paint might take longer.
You should do a few coats for the best possible finish, as one single coat may look rough.
Professional Sprayers
For the best possible result, you can buy or rent professional spray equipment.
High Volume, Low Pressure (HVLP) sprayers (on Amazon) are the hardest to master but create a great finished result. They work by creating air pressure using a turbine and sending the paint out through the nozzle.
Airless sprayers pressurize the paint to send it through a hose and are great for large surface areas, as things will go much faster.
How to Finish Your Wood
Afterward, you can use an enamel finisher to lock the paint in and finish everything. You’ll want to use at least two coats of the finish for the best results.
How Long Does it Need to Dry?
For the most part, spray paint should feel dry after around an hour. For best results and to be extra sure, leave the paint alone for 24 hours before touching it or exposing it to anything, as this will allow the paint and finish to set in fully.
Common Problems with Spray Painting Wood
There are some common problems with spray paint when it comes to doing the job right. Here’s what to look out for.
The Temperature
If it’s too cold when you decide to spray paint your wood furniture, then the paint can crack. This isn’t only true when it’s being applied but in the 24 hours following. So try to keep the area warm during the drying process and, if possible, spray paint outside when the temperature is reasonable.
If you must spray paint in the cold, try to do so in a garage or somewhere you can regulate the temperature a bit. Once the paint is dry, it won’t matter.
Purchasing a Low-Quality Paint
Not all paint is created the same, and it’s not just the type you choose. The brand matters! Pick a brand with a long life that’s been tried and tested repeatedly for the best results.
You can look at reviews online if you’re unsure if a brand is good. Amazon, in particular, tends to have plenty of reviews, giving you the best picture.
Spraying Too Close
The finish won’t be as good if you don’t stand a fair distance away from the wood when you spray paint it. You may notice the paint running or an odd dotted texture on the surface. If you see this, create more distance between you and the furniture as you continue to paint.
The paint will usually have instructions on the can referencing how far away you should stand. A good rule of thumb is 10-12 inches.
Over-Spraying
Another mistake that can cause drips is spraying too much in one area. Once you have a coat on there, move away from that part and avoid respraying it until you’re into the next coat. Again, working in a system (like starting at one side and moving around in the same motion for every coat) can help you keep track.
To Close
Overall, spray painting wood furniture doesn’t have to be a daunting process. However, ensure you collect the materials beforehand, research the best paint for the job, and give the paint enough time to dry and finish. If you do this, you’ll get a smooth, even finish, even over wood that’s already been painted or stained.