What kind of paint for refinishing furniture

Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Painting Solved! The Best Paint for Furniture Find the perfect paint to spruce up all kinds of furniture, from indoor pieces to your patio set. More From Bob Vila. The good news is, for all of the tediousness of painting, paint is pretty forgiving.

And, at least in my experience, the second time around went more quickly and efficiently. As with many DIY and renovation projects, just budget for a little more of everything—cost, time, mess, hassle—to get it done. Embarking on a paint project? And for more things to know while you remodel and redecorate, see:. Search for:. Painting is not small-space friendly.

You need to drape more than you think. Photograph by Justine Hand for Remodelista. A no-fail primer is a must. You could get away with sample cans. Good technique is all in the spin. Here are 6 keys to a professional-looking paint finish: First, cut in all of the edges and corners. To repair chipping, I sometimes will use my sander to sand down the chip so there is no longer a ridge between the paint and the place without paint.

You could also use wood filler to fill in the chip gouges as well. My favorite brand is General Finishes top coat — it should help withstand any dings and such.

Hope that helps in some way. Hi Sarah. Good question! I think Fusion is a Canadian-based company? I think? If you sign up as a subscriber in this post, I have a handy printable chart that lists the characteristics of the paints, as well as a lot of common brands for different types.

That might be helpful, too! I am so scared to try milk paint! Last year I painted my dresser with a dark gray chalk paint. Would it be possible to paint over the chalk paint with another type and what type do you recommend? Hi Maria. Chalk paint is very easy to paint over. Just a quick question, did you use a topcoat over the paint? Chalk paint without a topcoat seems to collect and retain dirt and marks very easily. Either way, though, you can paint over it!

If you want it to be easier to clean, just do a topcoat with clear acrylic, or furniture paste wax. When I think of Acrylic I think of craft paint mainly, ya know the ones in the little tubes for. Or are there other options in acrylic? A lot of paints are now acrylic-latex blends and a lot of wall paints are actually this blend now.

Yes, acrylic based paints are just like the small bottles of acrylic paints at the craft store. A few other paints besides General Finishes that are primarily acrylic based as best my research can find, because paint companies tend to be a bit inconspicious about the composition of their paint are Fusion Mineral Paint, Black Dog Salvage Paint, Mud Paint, and Americana Satin Enamels this is one of the same companies that makes the smaller bottles of acrylic paint at craft stores.

I hope that helps some; good luck on the dresser! Thank you for that extremely concise, well-organized, and informative article. You are a talented writer as well as DIY artist! This was exactly the information I was looking for, and it was a pleasure to see it presented so well. Thanks so much for your positive feedback, Terry. I just found your blog and really appreciate this paint type comparison. Brush strokes will drive me crazy.

I do have access to a paint sprayer. What do you suggest? I lightly sanded first and then brushed it on and it adhered very well. I think I did two coats just to help with wear and tear. What topcoat would you recommend for chalk painting a dresser that one would be using as a changing table in a nursery? Thank you for this post, as well as all your insight and helpful answers.

It really makes such a difference! It is about an old wooden chest of drawers. It has a clear topcoat and dark stain. I would like to paint it white, either matte or eggshell finish. My thought: degreese, sand, apply base shellac? Now, because of durability, I tend to go towards the acrylic paint. But do I have to apply a base coat? Would shellac work or is a speciality one, as you mentioned, needed?

How about a topcoat, as I really worry about the quality of a two in one product. Will it still look classy with a little sheen or look like newly bought from a massproducing company? Will I be able to add acrylic details on top and do I have to clear coat them, too? The milkpaint is fascinating, because I like the soft-looking finish. But is it worth it? Or just sweep a tablespoon or two of chalk powder into the two in one acrylic? Most speciality furniture paints are found at smaller shops.

However, looking at the make-up of the paint, they look fairly similar and might be worth a shot. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I'd love for you to share my ideas, but please only use one image with a link back to my original post.

It is not permitted to crop, alter, or edit any of the images that appear on this site without written permission. Thanks in advance for sharing responsibly! About Sharing at… Subscribe Privacy Policy. Printable Furniture Paint Comparison Chart By subscribing to my weekly newsletter but let's be honest, it's really more like every other week , you can download and print this FREE 2 page furniture paint comparison chart, including a list of specific brands for the types of paint mentioned in this post.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. First Name. Email Address. We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Update to a Nursery Dresser and Changing Table. Refinished Farmhouse Dining Table. Pop-Up Camper Remodel Reveal. The Best Primers for Furniture and Cabinets. Tips for Painting Furniture.

Refinished Vintage Wood Dresser. The Best Primer for Furniture and Cabinets. You're one step away; just check your email to confirm your subscription. Follow Along. Comments Thank you for putting this guide together! Oh, thank you so much, Bre. This is a fantastic post!!! Just Love it. Hi Jenny, Thanks for the detailed post! Thanks again! Thanks so much! Now my confusion comes to what paint can I use to touch up these unsightly chips etc? Hope that you will be able to give me some insight to my little dilemma?

Have you tried using Fusion Mineral Paint? And if so, how does it compare to the others? Thank you, Barbara. Why do you label the Valspar Optimus as a latex? It is acrylic. The specs clearly state so. Great idea on the metal file cabinet! I may have to steal that. Hi there I am looking to repaint wood shelves in our house. Hi Jenny! I look forward to hearing back! Hello Jenny! If you love the look of chalk paint but need a more durable solution, you can either seal the paint with a wax or polyurethane, or opt for a more durable paint in a matte finish.

Acrylic paints are typically more durable than chalk paint. They can be wiped and scrubbed, and cure to a hard finish that's more resistant to scratches. Unlike emulsions, the colour range amongst some of the best furniture paints can be more limited, so this is likely to be a big factor in which brand you go for.

The finish of the paint you choose will impact both the look and the function of your furniture. Gloss paints feel more contemporary, while matte paints are suited for farmhouse or shabby-chic decor.

Satin or semi-gloss finishes are versatile enough to suit any design style. As far as function goes, gloss, semi-gloss, and eggshell paints are wipeable and easier to clean than matte, flat, or chalk finishes. Different paints come in a different range of finishes, so you'll want to look for one that offers the level of sheen you want, or be prepared to add a sealer or topcoat to achieve it.

If you're looking to do a simple refresh on a piece that's in good repair, and don't want to spend a ton of time on your DIY project, chalky paint is the quickest, easiest way to go. That's because chalk paint doesn't require a sanded or primed surface although you'll often get longer-lasting results if you complete those steps , or a sealer.

With acrylic and oil-based paints, deglazing, sanding, and priming are recommended, and you may need a coat of polyurethane depending on how you'll use the piece and how long you want it to last. You've chosen your paint colour and finish, but what next? Check out our guide to how to paint furniture for the best advice on what else you might need before you embark on an upcycling project, and how to get the best results.

If you're looking to transform a larger area in the home, then the best furniture paint can come in handy in a whole host of ways. One of the most dramatic being updating old kitchen units with the best kitchen cupboard paint. For more paint projects, find out how to paint floorboards and how to paint tiles to give your home a brand new look on a budget. And for more great money-saving tips make sure to keep an eye on our best paint deals page to snap up a bargain on your favourite shades.

Annie joined the Real Homes team in as our Deals Editor. Now, as our UK Shopping Editor, she spends much of her time giving advice on what you need to add to your shopping cart. Whether that be a sofa bed for your spare room, accessories to give your space a new lease of life, shiny new appliances for a kitchen or some smart tech for an easier life.

She's also our fitness and beauty guru, with hands-on experience with some of the top hair tools and the best home gym equipment around. Otherwise, you can find her rearranging the furniture in her space-savvy London flat, DIYing accessories to fit with her ever-changing colour scheme, or going on long walks with her pug.

Next up on her to-renovate list is her bathroom Lowe's Black Friday is kicking off early, and there are tons of markdowns to shop. We've scoured the web for the best single-serve coffee makers to bring you the top buys in our expert guide.