How to repaint furniture white

Refinishing white furniture is an easy way to give your worn-out pieces a modern, tidy appearance. A fresh coat of white paint can drastically change the look of your furniture, regardless of whether it’s a laminate table, a metal chair, or a wooden dresser.

Professional skills are not needed for this project; all you need is a little patience and the appropriate supplies. A smooth, polished finish that can enhance any space can be achieved with careful application and a little bit of planning.

We’ll walk you through every step of repainting your furniture white in this guide, from selecting the best paint type to putting on the last coat of protection. Now let’s get going!

Preparing for repainting

You must first set up the equipment and supplies needed for cleaning the previous coating and applying the new one. You must decide where the work will be done because there will be a paint smell and it will take time for it to dry. One day after repainting, the furniture will be completely functional.

You must also attend to safety precautions. You need a respirator or a gauze bandage on your face in addition to safety goggles and gloves. It will be required to protect the surface from dust during the removal of the previous coating and chemical cleaning, as well as paint and chemical odors.

Once more, you must choose the area where the furniture can be painted again. The space needs to be properly ventilated and free of tiny insects, as they can attach themselves to the recently painted surface and ruin all of your hard work.

What tools and materials will be needed

In order to remove an old coating from furniture and paint it, we will require:

  • Detergent diluted in warm water – for cleaning and degreasing the surface.
  • Soft brush – to sweep away dust after sanding.
  • Primer – to level the surface of the product.
  • Putty – to seal deep cracks, scratches and chips.
  • A set of screwdrivers – to disassemble the piece of furniture.
  • Rubber spatula – for priming and putty.
  • A construction hair dryer or special chemical agents – to remove old varnish.
  • Acrylic paint in cans or spray cans.
  • Paint tray, if it is in a can.
  • Matte or glossy varnish – for protection and shine of the painted surface.
  • Roller – for painting wide surfaces.
  • Brushes – for painting small parts and corners.
  • Masking tape or film – to protect unpainted surfaces (mirrors, glass).

Counseling! Select a primer whose shade corresponds to the paint’s color. Make sure the brushes you choose have non-clumping bristles.

Which paint to choose

Furniture paint that is water-based is preferable (see Selecting paint for old furniture). Among them are acrylic compounds, which are non-toxic and have good airflow, enabling the wood to "breathe." This is a crucial component that will help shield the product from mildew and mold. Additionally, we do not need to remove household members from the house while repainting furniture because acrylic paints are virtually odorless.

Alkyd paints formulated with organic solvents are also excellent. They cost the same as paints made of acrylic. They work particularly well in moist spaces like bathrooms.

Since they dry more slowly than acrylic paints and have a stronger smell, oil and nitro paints are appropriate if painting furniture in a separate room.

You should choose a primer for your paint choice right away. In order to improve the adhesion of their paint, manufacturers also produce a primer.

We are amazed by the assortment of white paint that is available when we visit the store. What color should I use to repaint furniture white?

Experts suggest collecting samples and keeping an eye on them for a few days after attaching them to the furniture. For instance, consideration of lighting is crucial when selecting a shade. Throughout the day, natural light shifts, and when we turn on the lightbulbs in the evening, the shade also shifts.

Colors appear differently in different shades. Matte paints absorb light to produce a soft look. White is extremely bright because glossy paints reflect light.

White hues can also be:

  • Warm – halftones of red, orange or yellow are added to white.
  • Cold – white with green or blue halftones.

Fascinating! Over time, the color white with a purple halftone will appear pink. Although it was popular for a long time, white paint with yellow halftones is now regarded as outdated.

You must take into account the lighting as well as the overall design of the room when selecting white hues.

Getting started

The following provides detailed instructions on how to paint furniture yourself:

  • First, you need to thoroughly wash the piece of furniture with a detergent diluted in water. Wait until it dries completely and disassemble the product into parts (drawers, doors and handles).
  • We clean all surfaces with fine-grained sandpaper. This will help to remove old paint and smooth out minor irregularities of the product.
  • Apply a layer of primer to smooth out the entire surface of the furniture, wait for it to dry. If there are deep scratches or chips on the surface, fill them with putty. Apply another layer of primer on top.
  • Clean everything from dust and dirt with a soft dry brush, you can also use a vacuum cleaner. It is not recommended to wipe off dust with a damp cloth, as the dirt will clog the pores and cracks of the surface.
  • Cover the areas that we will not paint with masking tape or film. You also need to protect the floor and nearby objects, especially if you are using spray paint.
  • Apply the first layer of paint to the completely dry product and wait until it dries completely. Only after this can you apply the next layer. Two or three layers are enough for the piece of furniture to acquire a new white color.
  • When all layers of paint are completely dry, you can apply a layer of varnish. Depending on what you want to see, you can use either glossy or matte varnish. It will protect furniture from rapid wear and tear and give it a special charm.

Old lacquered furniture

Is lacquered furniture paintable again? Yes, in the same way as painting polished furniture or anything else. The old, cracked polish or varnish is the only issue. E

It can be eliminated in a few ways:

  • The mechanical method is the cheapest and most accessible, but also the longest and most labor-intensive. Old polishing or varnishing is removed using sandpaper or a scraper. Once you select it, don’t forget to wear safety glasses to prevent dust and small pieces from getting into your eyes.
  • The chemical method is quite expensive, these are special chemicals applied to the old surface and then washed off with water. They come in the form of powder, gel, foam, etc. When removing old varnish using this method, you need to protect the skin and mucous membranes.
  • Thermal method removes old coating using a hair dryer. Heating the surface with one hand, scrape off the polish or varnish with the other. With this method, you need to be careful with temperatures so that ignition does not occur.

Crucial! Certain types of coatings cannot be cleaned off from old varnish using the thermal method. Heating will only char the surface rather than remove the top layer.

You can see how to remove old coating in the video that is part of this article.

Step Description
1. Preparation Clean the furniture thoroughly to remove dirt and grease. Sand the surface lightly to help the paint adhere better.
2. Primer Apply a coat of primer to create a smooth base. Let it dry completely.
3. Painting Use a high-quality white paint. Apply the first coat evenly and let it dry. Add a second coat for full coverage.
4. Finishing After the paint dries, seal the surface with a clear topcoat for durability. Let it cure fully before use.

Any piece can be given new life by simply painting it white, which is a simple yet powerful project. You can achieve a polished finish that will enliven your space with the correct planning and supplies.

From sanding to applying the last coat of paint, never forget to take your time. The level of care you put into the process will show in the final product’s quality.

A satisfying way to achieve a simple, classic look that works in any space is to paint furniture white, whether you’re customizing something new or updating an old piece.

Refinishing white furniture gives worn-out pieces a fresh, contemporary appearance while also adding brightness and refreshment to any space. The correct setup, which includes priming and sanding, will allow you to achieve a long-lasting, polished finish. Whether your project involves revitalizing a worn-out dresser or updating a vintage find, this guide will help you every step of the way to make it successful and simple.

Video on the topic

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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