Some of the furniture looks like it's made of solid wood, when in fact it's covered with thin wood-patterned paper, which is called a laminate. Even if it's not made of solid wood, you can still update your laminate furniture by applying a few coats of paint. All it takes is to do some extra preparation before you start painting it. With a high-grit sandpaper and an oil-based primer, you're ready to paint a laminate layer on your furniture so it looks like new.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Sanding the Furniture
Step 1. Remove all the handles and knobs that are on the furniture
Put everything in a plastic bag so it doesn't get lost. If there are certain parts that cannot be removed, cover them with tape.
Step 2. Put putty (wood filler) on the grooves in the furniture
You can buy putty at a building store. Allow the putty to dry according to the directions given on the product packaging.
Step 3. Rub the surface of the furniture lightly using sandpaper with 120 grit
Rub in a circular motion until the surface of the furniture looks dull and not shiny. Do not go overboard when sanding as this can tear the laminate on the furniture surface.
Step 4. Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any wood dust
Make sure the surface is clean before you start applying the primer.
Part 2 of 3: Applying Base Paint
Step 1. Spread the tarp in a well-ventilated area
Place the furniture on a tarp so that the primer or paint doesn't get on the floor. If you don't have a tarp, you can use newspaper.
Step 2. Apply an oil-based primer on the furniture surface
Purchase an oil-based primer at a paint shop or construction store. Apply the base paint with a regular brush or roller brush until it is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the furniture.
You can use a spray primer to make this task easier
Step 3. Allow the primer to dry for at least 4 hours
After 4 hours have elapsed, gently touch the basecoat surface with your fingertips to check if the paint has dried. If it's still wet, let the primer dry first.
Step 4. Scrub the surface of the primer using sandpaper with 220 grit
Rub the surface lightly in a circular motion as you did the first time in the previous step. Wipe the resulting dust with a damp cloth.
Part 3 of 3: Painting Furniture
Step 1. Use acrylic latex paint
Decide if you want a glossy or matte finish (dull, not shiny), then find an acrylic latex paint that matches the desired finish. Acrylic latex paint can be purchased at a hardware store or paint store.
Step 2. Use a brush or roller to apply the first coat of paint
Apply the paint in short, even strokes in the same direction. It doesn't matter if the first coat of paint looks streaky or slightly uneven.
Step 3. Allow the paint to dry for at least 2 hours
Some types of paint may take longer to dry. Check the paint label for drying instructions. After 2 hours have elapsed, use your fingertips to check if the first coat of paint has dried.
Step 4. Do several times of painting and drying until the paint layer is evenly distributed
You may have to paint 3 to 4 times. Allow the furniture to dry for at least 2 hours before applying a fresh coat of paint.
Step 5. Set aside freshly painted furniture and don't use it for one week
You can reattach the handles and knobs to the furniture after the last coat of paint has dried, but don't place anything on the furniture for a week to prevent the paint from peeling. You can also add a paint sealer to the furniture surface after the last coat of paint has dried.
