What we paint
The need to change the color of furniture arises for various reasons. The item no longer fits in with the recent renovation, becomes obsolete, or simply gets boring. Professional restoration is not always available, but anyone who has ever held a brush in their hands can master the basic techniques.
Coloring is the simplest and most understandable process with simple recommendations. Furniture preparation plays an important role in it, and it depends on the type of surface. The easiest way to prepare a wooden cabinet, chest of drawers or bedside table. In practice, solid wood products are most often of Swedish origin and come into the home from the IKEA store. Many of them are sold unpainted, which makes the task much easier.
IKEA furniture is comfortable and versatile, but it is often repainted by those who find Scandinavian design too boring. Most of the remaining items are furniture made of chipboard or MDF in film (for example, a kitchen), or lacquered products. They require longer preparation.
Chest of drawers in the bedroom interior Source pinimg.com
Color selection and design
You can update an old cabinet and give standard furniture an original design by painting. Using materials, you can make the surface glossy or matte, perform monochrome decoration or combine contrasting shades, as well as complement the finish with artificial aging and decoupage. When choosing a shade, you must take into account the color scheme of the room.
The classic option is to paint the furniture white. This will add freshness and light to the interior; the item will become a bright accent in the room. White furniture can be painted antique with your own hands by combining bleaching and sanding.
Rich shades can prolong the use of old furniture. Popular colors are green, yellow, red, orange, etc. When using bright colors in furniture design, designers recommend painting the walls in neutral tones. Cream, gray, powdery shades will become the background for rich colors. The colors of the facades are harmoniously combined with the neutral texture of wood.
Furniture painting is used to create an interior in the Provence style. Powdery pastel colors are popular in decoration. You can create a rare product by adding craquelure varnish. The material will give a lightly worn effect to wooden surfaces.
You can change the design of your kitchen by painting the kitchen cabinets; this option is simple and economical. The buffet can be monochrome or multi-colored - with a combination of bright and neutral colors.
Typical furniture can be transformed using the decoupage technique, creating a model in a retro style. Painting a rack will be an interesting design solution when using stencils, unusual color combinations, and artistic painting.
What you will need
For work you will need the following tools and materials:
- A dense roller (or a pen attachment with two or three replaceable rollers). The width is chosen depending on the size of the cabinet (chest of drawers), on average 10-15 cm. A roller will help to evenly roll out the paint on a large surface, and the result will be good the first time. Select the tray according to the size of the roller.
- Two or three soft brushes of different sizes with artificial bristles. Hard bristles are not recommended as they will leave streaks that are difficult to get rid of. Brushes are needed for painting elements of complex shapes, where a roller cannot cope.
- Screwdriver Set. You will have to remove the fittings and most likely disassemble the furniture. The work will be more comfortable and of higher quality if you simply remove the doors.
- Masking tape. You will need it to protect small parts that cannot be removed. For example, if there are built-in lamps in the closet, they are removed, but left hanging and protected with tape.
A tool you can’t do without Source pinimg.com
- Sandpaper (sandpaper) of different formats: fine (soft) and coarse.
- New hardware if you are going to change the style of the cabinet or make it more original. The easiest way to find suitable handles is in large and specialized online stores - the choice of accessories there is truly limitless.
- Paint and varnish materials: paint, varnish, and degreasing solvent.
- You always need rags (napkins); polyethylene comes in handy to protect the surrounding area from paint.
Optionally the following items can be used:
- Sander, safety glasses and gloves.
- Spatula and putty.
- If a large area will be treated, a sprayer is convenient.
Applying varnish to a countertop Source premium.vgc.no
How to create color transitions and painting
It is not difficult to create a unique piece of furniture. To do this, you can decorate the cabinet with painting, a color gradient, create a textured surface, or use a stencil in the design. The choice of method depends only on the imagination of the owner and the design of the room.
The drawing is applied to an already painted base with acrylic paints. The theme is chosen in accordance with the design of the room. Geometric motifs, patterns, and flower images look very attractive. A cabinet decorated as an antique can be decorated with gold ornaments.
A new trend in furniture fashion is color gradient. To create a smooth transition of shades of the same color, paints with different amounts of pigment are used or additional colors are purchased. This design looks especially good in a children's room or teenager's bedroom.
Color is especially important in a child's room
How to paint so that the surface is cracked
Artificial aging - craquelure - looks beautiful. To achieve the cracking effect, use a special varnish. The thicker its layer, the wider the cracks become. After drying, the cabinet is treated with a matte protective varnish.
Cracked facades - craquelure technique
Stencil painting: master class
Using a stencil allows you to get a unique painting on furniture. The pattern is applied to an already painted surface, and after drying it is covered with matte varnish for protection:
- Choose paint with a semi-liquid or thick consistency to prevent bleeding from under the stencil.
- Prepare a foam roller or swab. The cabinet must be pre-painted in the main color.
- Place the stencil on the surface and, if possible, secure it with masking tape to prevent movement while working.
- Dip the swab into the paint and apply light pressure to the holes of the stencil.
Paint selection
Paints and varnishes vary in composition and such important parameters as transparency and gloss level. When looking for a suitable option, you should avoid oil paint with its heavy smell and long drying period. Toxic and flammable solvent-based materials are of little use.
In order to repaint a cabinet in a different color, water-based paints that are marked “furniture” are optimal. A common feature of such compositions is environmental friendliness, which is important in the case of repainting objects located in a residential area. They practically do not emit volatile organic matter and therefore do not have a pungent odor. The compositions are fireproof and do not cause allergic reactions.
Paint color is only one of the selection criteria Source kraskidlyamebeli.ru
Acrylic
These compositions are the most affordable and therefore widespread among water-based analogues. The lack of toxicity is combined with wear resistance and the ability to pass air. The latter quality helps the wood regulate moisture (breathe), thereby minimizing the appearance of mold and mildew.
It must be taken into account that acrylic compounds do not always cope with repainting. The main disadvantage of acrylic is that it does not adhere to the surface of furniture made from chipboard. It also makes no sense to buy acrylic paint for glossy (varnished) facades or products previously painted with an adhesive-based composition.
Acrylic dyes dry fairly quickly, but the polymerization process (especially if primer was used) can take more than a month. And, although after repainting the item is almost immediately ready for use, the coating requires careful handling; it can be easily scratched or damaged by accidental force.
Repainting drawers is a quick way to refresh the design Source livejournal.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in paints and varnishes and related work
Acrylic is easy to work with. To achieve the desired color saturation, just dilute the paint with water. It is easy to wash off if you are wrong with the shade and decide to repaint the fragment again.
Acrylic dyes are also sold in aerosol form, which is quite convenient for repainting large surfaces if you know how to use them. When choosing a suitable shade, you can paint over a small area of the surface. This will help you evaluate which color looks best on a given basis.
Alkyd
The basis of alkyd paints is an organic solvent; the compositions resist moisture well, which makes them convenient to use for painting furniture in the kitchen and bathroom. The peculiarity of the dye is that it creates a film coating with a thickness of no more than 0.1 mm. The service life of such coating will be short.
Color completely changes perception Source homeproved.com
Eco-paints
Chalk, milk or mineral paint can be a worthy alternative to acrylic compositions. Eco-paints are made from natural materials, therefore they do not have a strong odor, are hypoallergenic, and do not harm people and pets.
Thanks to their composition, they lie smoothly not only on wood, but also on complex surfaces of laminated chipboard, chipboard, and MDF.
Eco-paint can also be used to paint lacquered furniture, and in most cases the surface does not have to be specially prepared (for example, primed). The composition will adhere well, forming a durable layer, if you sand the furniture a little with sandpaper to slightly reduce the shine.
Other
You can also paint your favorite cabinet with silicone or latex-based water-based paint. The silicone layer is not afraid of moisture, lasts a long time and is interesting because it can fill and mask small cracks.
The latex composition is viscous and resembles oil paint. But at the same time, it does not have a pungent odor, and it lasts much longer. The only limitation of latex coating is that it can crack at low temperatures, but this is not important for home use.
Using chalk paint Source blog.postel-deluxe.ru
Varnishes and tinting impregnations
They change the appearance of furniture, so they can be classified as coloring compounds. This group of paints and varnishes performs not only a decorative, but also a protective function. Penetrating into the structure of wooden furniture, impregnations and varnishes prevent the appearance of mold and pests.
Priming
Experts advise purchasing paint at the same time as the primer, from the same manufacturer and on the same base. This will significantly improve the adhesion of the dye to the furniture surface.
The best results are achieved with a water-based adhesive primer. It is especially helpful in the case of difficult surfaces (for example, chipboard), where the dye does not adhere well and does not adhere well. If you plan to repaint a dark cabinet light, use a white primer; If you want to turn a light chest of drawers into a dark one, you will need a dark primer.
A light primer was used here Source pinimg.com
What paint to paint the cabinet
In order to determine how to paint an old cabinet with your own hands, you need to study the compatibility of the dye with the material from which the furniture is made.
Acrylic-based coatings are the most popular for painting furniture, because... dry quickly, easy to apply, resistant to damage. The paint is diluted with water, which saves materials. The compositions do not have a strong odor and disappear quickly, so they are suitable for decorating children's rooms and kitchens. The material is applied with a brush or roller.
Cabinets made of chipboard and natural wood are painted with alkyd dyes. The material contains coloring pigments, kerosene solvent, and antiseptic additives.
A popular type of paint is in cans. The material is easy to apply and dries quickly. The paint is distributed evenly.
The choice of material is also influenced by the design project, because... the surface can be glossy or matte. For glossy products you will need enamel varnish paint, which adds shine to the surface. Matte shades are obtained after oil treatment. Transparent paints will help preserve the natural structure of wood.
Preparing furniture: where to start
Preparation begins with removing dirt, old stains and odors. The easiest way to do this is with a sponge soaked in washing powder or soap solution. After washing, stubborn stains remain, which can be removed with vinegar, acetone or white spirit. To make it convenient to work, move the furniture away from the wall, put on a protective mask and gloves, and do not forget to ventilate the room.
After washing, the surface is allowed to dry, then the old coating is removed. They do this in one of the following ways:
- Mechanical. The fastest way to do this is with a grinder and a wide spatula. In hard-to-reach places, remove the varnish coating using a flat-tip screwdriver.
- Chemical. To remove old polish, special solvent-based removers are used. The composition is applied to the surface of the cabinet for the time specified in the instructions. Once the reaction is complete, the remaining material is removed with coarse sandpaper or a spatula.
Design in fashionable white color Source gidpokraske.ru
- Thermal. The old varnish or film coating peels off and is easily removed after heating with a hair dryer. If the film does not lend itself, it is left and painted over it, having first sanded it.
After the old coating is removed, the surface is lightly sanded to remove any small residues. If the furniture is wooden, sanding is carried out in the direction of the grain. The task is performed in three steps: first use coarse-grained sandpaper, then use medium-grained sandpaper, and finally use fine-grained sandpaper.
At this stage, the cabinet is carefully inspected so as not to miss any defect. If the item is large, it is more convenient to dismantle it; It is easier to paint individual parts, and the result is of higher quality.
Features of preparing and painting a lacquered cabinet
Varnish is a coating that prevents mixtures applied on top from being absorbed into the base. If you do not remove it, you can decorate the cabinet only with paints that do not require prior priming - chalk and acrylic.
remove old varnish using several methods:
Mechanical - accessible and inexpensive, but requiring time and effort. Various tools are suitable for it - a metal brush, a grinder or sandpaper. With their help, the varnish is gradually removed from the surface. It is important to use construction glasses to prevent coating particles from getting into your eyes.
Chemically , through special removers. The product is used in accordance with the instructions.
Thermal : the varnish is heated with a hair dryer or blowtorch. Then it is scraped off with a spatula. The heated coating comes off easily, without much effort on the part of the technician. However, this method does not remove all types of varnish. During heat treatment, the top layer may not separate, and the furniture itself may become charred.
After removing the old varnish, the surface should be sanded so that it becomes smooth, but slightly rough (this will provide better adhesion to the finish). If necessary, cracks are sealed with putty.
Video description
About updating an old cabinet in the following video:
Preparation for painting: primer
All cabinet parts intended for painting are dusted and degreased. To do this, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, and then with a cloth moistened with alcohol or a special degreaser. At this stage, care is needed: the slightest particles of glue from the film must be sanded off and degreased.
Dining group in a pastel palette Source archidea.com.ua
Identified defects (scratches, cracks and small irregularities) are eliminated using a special wood putty. After waiting for the composition to dry, the treated areas are sanded and degreased again to level the surface. As a result of the work done, the surface of the product should be completely covered with a network of small scratches.
The primer helps the paint composition adhere better to the surface. It is recommended to prime in two layers, allowing each to dry. Then you need to go over the surface with fine sandpaper again; This must be done carefully so as not to remove the soil. Additional sanding will enhance adhesion, if you remember to thoroughly wipe off the dust afterwards.
Coloring
The surface is covered with paint in 2-3 layers. If the first layer turns out to be uneven, with bald spots, the defects are corrected during the second painting. After drying, the first layer can be lightly sanded with fine sandpaper. This grinding has two purposes. It removes sagging and grooves of paint, and makes the surface matte, so that the next layer will adhere better.
After the first coloring Source mebelnada.com.ua
Spot painting
The method is suitable for decorating polished furniture. It does not require additional surface treatment. Even a novice restorer can do the following:
- Using a marker, draw a dotted outline of the image. You can come up with a layout yourself, or take any plot you like as a basis.
- Do the work with acrylic paint and a thin brush.
Dot painting is suitable for creating story-based illustrations and will look great in the interior of a children’s room.
Briefly about the main thing
Repainting a cabinet a different color on your own is a simple job that only requires care, time and a set of necessary tools. The process is divided into several stages. The main task is to create a rough surface that helps the paint lie evenly and tightly. The cabinet is first cleaned, defects are repaired and primed.
The main problem may arise when removing the old varnish or film layer. It is solved mechanically, chemically or thermally. The paint is applied in several layers, the number of which allows you to emphasize or hide the texture of the base. For the finishing coat, choose wax or water-based or polyurethane-based varnish.
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Is it possible to paint an old cabinet?
They repaint wooden structures, panels and facades made of MDF, chipboard, modular, cabinet furniture, modifications with veneer finishing. The technology of work is approximately the same. If you remove the old coating to the base and give the surface the necessary roughness, you can safely apply a new paint coating.
The main thing is to know how to paint a cabinet with minimal risk to health. Secondly , it is advisable to apply new paint according to technology; for this it is worth considering the main stages of restoration work. Then the painted, updated piece of furniture can be admired and proudly shown to guests.
Over time, scuffs and chips appear on the cabinet
