Tips on How to Paint Furniture

Get it as clean as possible, removing all dirt and grime. When the surface is dry, you may wish to put strips of low-tack painter's tape on any trim around the countertop.

(2) The next step is to prime the countertop surface with a bonding primer, this will make sure the paint will stick to a non-porous surface. Some good bonding primers are XIM 400, Sherwin-Williams PrepRite®, or Zinssers Bin. Follow the primer manufacturers instructions; plan on allowing the primer to set for about 24 hours before painting. The odor can be strong, so consider opening windows and closing the room off from the rest of the house when using these products.

(3) When the primer is dry, it's time to paint your selected new color paint to the existing laminate countertop. Nothing changes a kitchen's look quite so much as countertop finishes, so make sure you've matched swatches to your existing colors - appliances, walls, flooring and all. If you like, and are feeling creative, you can stencil-paint some patterned borders on your laminate countertops new base paint as well at this point.

(4) The final step is to seal the paint. Three coats of satin or high-gloss non-yellowing polyurethane will give you maximum durability. I prefer water-based sealer; it will not alter the appearance of your paint's colors when it dries. Allow the sealer to dry 24 hrs. You might have to order take-out dinners for a couple of days, but it will be worth it when you see your fabulous new painted laminate countertops in your kitchen.

If you have a piece of furniture that you just can't bear the thought of parting with, giving it a new coat of paint may just be the perfect solution. Over time furniture can either fall into disrepair or out of fashion and a new coat of paint can give it a new lease on life, either matching the new colors of your room or covering up mars and scratches from getting a little too much love over the years.

It's not that hard to repaint a piece of furniture either. Thanks to a host of new products and the convenience of home improvement stores, you can convert any piece of furniture from one that's on its last legs hulk to a beloved part of your new d?cor.

One of the keys to a successful repainting project is to prepare your furniture correctly. Go across the grain first, then with the grain, with the paper folded over a block of wood so it's easy to grasp and control. When all the rough spots are gone, wipe the entire piece off with a clean rag or towel.

Now you're ready to paint. Spread out newspapers if you're painting by hand. If you're using a spray application, it's best to go outside with it to minimize the fumes.

Start with a coat of primer. Try to apply it as smoothly and evenly as possible. Go with the grain of the wood and don't apply too much primer at once. Far better to have to do a second light coat than try to do it all at once. This is particularly important with furniture that has lots of detail.