by Bob Schmidt

Created on: May 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 22, 2007

The secret to getting optimum results when painting old furniture lies in proper preparation of the surface to be painted. Imperfections on the surface to be painted will still be visible unless they are eliminated by stripping, sanding, or filling. This does require some work, but the results will more than justify your efforts.

If the furniture to be painted already has several coats of paint, one should consider using a good quality paint and varnish remover to remove the old paint. Several items are needed to properly use these removers; protective gloves for your hands, a paint brush to apply the chemical, a wood scraper to remove the old finish, and plenty of rags for cleaning up the wood after scraping.

The use of paint remover must be in a well ventilated area, and the chemical is caustic so care must me taken that it not get on your skin, or in your eyes. It is messy work, so dress in appropriate old clothing. After the paint has been removed, the wood should be wiped with a rag that has been immersed in gasoline or paint thinner. This will neutralize the chemical stripping agent, and then the wooden surfaces should be wiped down with water, and allowed to dry thoroughly.

You may be surprised at the beauty of the wood that you have uncovered, and decide to stain, and refinish with a clear varnish instead of covering the wood grain with paint once again. In either event, the wood should be sanded with extra fine grade sandpaper until a smooth surface has been achieved. Gouges, scratches, and dents can be filled with wood fillers prior to sanding, and minor imperfections can be corrected with the use of sanding sealer. The local paint retailers in your area can recommend brand names with which they have had good results.

The actual application of a finish. or paint, to the surface should be done by following the specific directions for the paint that you have selected. Never try to use one heavy coat instead of two or three lighter coats, the result will not be desirable. Paint runs, or "snotters" as they say, will result. Painting should never be attempted when you are in a hurry. Methodical attention to detail will pay huge dividends with your finished product.

One final tip that might save you a lot of time, and effort might be mentioned. It is surprising how much grime and staining can be removed from painted surfaces by using a good cleaning agent. You might discover that the unsightly piece only needed a heavy-duty cleaning to look presentable. Maybe, with only minimal touch up of a few scrapes and scratches with a small brush, and dab of paint, you can relax the rest of the day congratulating yourself on being so resourceful.

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