Have you ever found a great vintage piece of furniture at a garage sale or thrift store but went home without it because it had a lot of scratches, the color was not right for your home, it just looked a little too loved etc? Well, here is a solution for you. Spray paint! You read right! Spray paint is no longer just for middle school science projects and delinquent graffiti artists. If done right, spray paint can add new life to that fantastic chest of drawers, bookshelf or even plastic lawn chairs!
Before:
After:
How-To:
1. The type of spray paint is very important. As tempting as it is to buy a cheap can, don’t do it! In my experience, Krylon works the best. It isn’t very expensive and they have a ton of color and surface choices. I prefer the Gloss finish because it is easier to wipe down and if you prime first (more on that in a minute) it won’t be incredibly glossy.
2. You will want to sand your piece of furniture a little. This will help even out any scratches and imperfections. Lightly sand and then wipe down with a wet cloth.
3. If there are any parts of the furniture you don’t want painted, make sure to tape it off now. You’ll want to cover it with newspaper and make sure you get all the nooks and crannies covered.
4. Next, you’ll prime. I like Kilz primer. Just spray it on there
5. Next you’ll want to spray the furniture using your color (in a very well ventilated area mind you!) If it’s possible, spray outside. It needs to be at least 50 degrees to paint. The paint will crack if it is colder.
6. If your furniture is going to have to with stand a lot of wear and tear, you may want to use a Polyacrylic sealer. This is simpler to use than polyurethane and won’t yellow.
If you are worried about fumes and their effect on the environment and your children, try Krylon’s H2O Latex. It has 55% less fumes, is non-toxic and cleans us with soap and water. Read more about it here. This video shows the best technique to get an even covering.
