You can paint your furniture already assembled. However, it is typically harder to get an even, streak free coat.
You can sand your furniture by hand, or use an electrical sander.
Most furniture pieces only need 1 coat of primer. If you notice any areas missing the primer, go back over those spots. To help your paint stick even better, lightly sand over the dried primer. Be sure not to sand too hard and remove the white tinge of the primer.
Your first coat of paint will likely look streaky and uneven, which is completely normal. It is important to apply a thin base layer of paint at first so that your second coat applies evenly. If you are painting every surface on the piece of furniture, paint the top and sides first. Let them dry, then flip it over to paint the bottom. Most experts recommend using an eggshell or gloss paint finish because it is tougher than other finishes.
If your furniture pieces are still uneven or streaky after a 2nd coat, apply a 3rd layer of paint. Make sure your 2nd coat is fully dry before painting over it again.
A water-based polyurethane sealant also works well for laminate furniture.
Use a paintbrush to dust away debris from the furniture’s crevices and grooves.
The wood grain is the lines and patterns that wood makes. Most wood grain moves horizontally or lengthwise across the piece of furniture. Work in sections when you’re painting all sides of a piece of furniture. You can start with the top and sides first, let them dry, then paint the bottom.
If your first layer of paint dried rough, you can lightly sand it to smooth over any bumps or ridges.
For metal furniture, you can also choose to use a spray-on primer. Just make sure that it is also oil-based for the best results.
While extra durable, oil-based paints can take up to 24 hours to dry. You can also use spray paint to cover your furniture, which is usually faster to paint with because it dries quicker.
