A Brief Guide To Furniture Painting
What Can I Paint?
From tables, chairs, sideboards and kitchen cabinets to beds, built in wardrobes, staircases and garden sets, the world really is your oyster. Frenchic paint adheres to wood, laminate, PVC, composites and more. Just prep and paint!
Which Paint Should I use?
The right furniture paint depends on what you’re painting, where it is and the effect you want to have. Self-priming and self-sealing paints, like modern chalk paint, save time and effort and also reduce the number of products you need to buy to finish the job. For even more ease of use, also look for self-levelling paint like the Lazy Range and Trim Paint, or you could choose the Al Fresco range which is also suitable for exterior use. Alternatively, if your aim is for a decorative, or aged, look, try a traditional style chalk paint like our Original Artisan Range which allows you to get creative before sealing.
Do I Need A Primer?
Should I Use Primer or Self-Priming Paint on Furniture? Frenchic self-priming paint saves you the time and effort of applying primer as well as the cost. Frenchic chalk paint is self-priming, but choosing one that’s also self-sealing can keep things simple. Specialist metal primer is best for bare, ferrous (iron-based) metal, but the likes of aluminium and copper don’t need primer because they don’t rust. For porous materials like bare MDF, a sealant can be used before painting to stop the surface absorbing so much moisture from the paint. --- Once you have prepped your furniture, you just want to get on with the nice bit – adding your chosen colour! By choosing a self-priming paint, you can do just that as they remove the need to faff around with the time and effort of a primer – not to mention the expense. It’s good to know that Frenchic chalk paint is self-priming. However, not all chalk paints are the same! For ease of application, choose one that is also self-sealing to keep things simple and to avoid the need for an extra sealant. These include: The Lazy Range The Al Fresco Range Chalk Wall Paint Trim Paint Metallics Primers for metals When using a water-based paint like Frenchic, for bare, ferrous (iron-based), metal it is good practice to use a specialist metal primer. If the metal is previously painted or coated, then this is not necessary. Other metals, like aluminium or copper, do not need a primer as they are not prone to rust. If you are worried about checking what your metal furniture is made of, it may help to know that iron is heavy whereas aluminium is light. Sealing vs priming porous materials For porous materials like bare MDF, it is worth applying a sealant prior to painting. This will help you achieve a smooth finish as the surface will not absorb moisture from the paint. It also saves on paint! Using a quick-drying, water-based sealant like Finishing Coat means you don’t have to wait too long before painting. It’s also very quick and easy to apply, using a sponge rather than a brush. The job of a primer is partly to help paint grip, but self-priming paint doesn’t require assistance to grip – in fact using a primer with self-priming paint can mean the first coat of paint is trickier to apply.
Do I Need to Seal Frenchic Paint?
Many projects don’t need sealant, but it depends on which paint you are using and what you’re painting. Most paints are self-sealing. However, Frenchic’s Original Artisan Range is a traditional chalk and mineral paint designed to wear away for visual effects like ageing. This paint does need to be sealed with wax or another sealant. In contrast, Frenchic’s other ranges such as Al Fresco and Lazy Range are self-sealing, so generally no additional sealant is required. Although Frenchic paints are robust, you can use sealants for added durability in areas of high traffic or wear, such as table-tops. Tuff Top Coat has additional heat resistance, for example, while Finishing Coat adds extra water resistance. You can also use sealants for visual effects such as shimmers – more details below. Remember that a sealant will change the finish of the paint. Tuff Top Coat is matte, whereas Finishing Coat is satin. What waxes can I use to seal wood and paint or create visual effects? On the other hand, waxes won’t increase the durability of self-sealing paints – but they are great when you want to be creative, such as: Clear Waxis perfect for a basic seal, enriching the colour of bare wood and chalk paint. Defining Waxadds depth to furniture by defining any texture, panelling or carved detailing. Browning Waxis great for adding a rustic or aged look to a project by darkening the finish. White Waxoffers a whitewashed, beachy look by toning down colours and wood tones, similar to a liming wax. What top coats can I use to seal paint and create visual effects? For a matte look, check out Frenchic’s Tuff Top Coat. The heavy-duty sealant provides a flat finish that is heat resistant, hard-wearing and completely scrubbable. Or for a satiny finish, try Finishing Coat. It provides the same durability with a soft sheen look. Both are super-simple to apply with a sponge or soft brush and can even be mixed to form glazes or used for other decorative techniques, offering many different style options. Some other ideas: Metallic glaze– Mix Finishing Coat with a Frensheen mineral powder to create a paint-like consistency. Then brush on for a sealant with a shimmery finish. Decoupage– Add a paper image or pattern to your surface, then carefully apply Finishing Coat on top with a sponge for a durable, transparent finish.
How Do I Prepare the Surface Ready for Painting?
There are two simple steps for this: 1. Cleaning down with soap and warm water 2. Sanding the item to smooth out the surface and help the paint adhere These two techniques will remove all the dirt and grease – we recommend Frenchic Sugar Soap – and any bumps and rough edges. When you’re done, your surface preparation for painting is all taken care of and you can begin to paint. Surface preparation for painting Cleaning down It’s tempting to assume that cleaning down is a walk in the park. You’ve done it before, so why shouldn’t you be able to deal with aluminium surface preparation for painting? The answer is simple – you need the correct tools. We use Sugar Soap because it’s designed to remove dirt and grime from materials. For furniture, soap and water might be enough. However, the same can’t be said for garden items and household features that are subjected to grease and oil, such as kitchen surfaces. By mixing one-part Sugar Soap with ten-parts warm, soapy water, there’s no need to worry about any leftover build-up of bacteria. Just ensure you cover your sponge in the diluted liquid and give it a good scrub! Sand the area down Once the item is bone dry, it’s ready to start sanding. Sandpaper, or a fine sanding sponge, is the most common tool for the job, but you can use an industrial sander if you have the equipment and know-how to use it properly. There’s no need to press too hard because the roughness of the sponge or paper will do the heavy lifting. Instead, watch for the colour change and feel the item to check how smooth it is, to figure out when the job is finished. A top tip – use a mask while sanding. It’s difficult to tell whether a piece of metal or wooden furniture has a varnish or is galvanised, and you don’t want the particles to get into your body. A cotton mask should act as a barrier against the majority of dust. Speaking of dust, make sure you clear it off the surface before you begin painting. Otherwise, it won’t take to the material. What about chips and cracks? Craig Phillips, Frenchic’s brand ambassador, outlines two options. The first is to use a courser sander to remove them completely. The second is to leave them as they are because it’s these features that add character and personality. The decision is yours. * Always treat/remedy rust if present. If you are painting bare ferrous (iron) metal, it is good practice to apply a suitable metal primer after prep and before applying a water based paint. Non-ferrous metal (eg copper, aluminium) do not require a primer.
Which Brush Should I Use?
If you want to make the most of your paint job, it’s important to use the best brush for chalk paint, rather than a one-size-fits-all type of brush. It is important to get the right shape brush. If you are accustomed to using a flat, DIY-store brush or are new to painting furniture with chalk paint, you might like to consider investing in an oval brush. These can really help achieve a smooth finish as they are specially formulated for chalk paint pick up assisted by their domed profile and tapered bristles. Alternatively, if you prefer to stick with a flat brush then opt for one with finer, softer, tapered-end bristles. And don't forget specially shaped round wax brushes if you are using a traditional style chalk paint that needs sealing or if you want to use wax to add decorative effects. The ones with round and straight-ended shaped bristles are by far the best and mean applying wax is an absolute doddle! Is size important? When shopping for chalk paint brushes, you should also consider the width of the brush head. For larger, flat surfaces, you will cover more surface area with a wider brush. However, when getting into tight areas and corners or painting narrow sections, it may prove difficult so a smaller brush is also useful. For projects with carved detail or lots of paneling, then some small detailing brushes are also helpful. If you have a range of brush shapes and sizes to hand it will mean you can switch-up as required, whatever your chalk painting furniture project. Can I use a regular paintbrush for chalk paint? Although there is no set rule that states you must use a special type of paintbrush when applying chalk paint, it’s worth considering before diving straight in. Certainly, technique and practice are a huge part of achieving a successful result but low-quality tools are likely to increase the risk of a substandard outcome. They and can end up costing more in the long run if you have to rectify issues. You might be tempted to use the brushes that you have lying around the house. However, cheap and low-quality brushes are often not the best solution when using chalk paint as they can make it challenging to achieve a smooth finish. Generally, opting for quality is the best choice of brush for chalk paint to give you the tip-top results. How to prevent brush strokes with chalk paint While some like the unique shabby chic aesthetic that can be achieved by creating texture with multiple brush strokes, others prefer a smooth, matte and seamless look. Fear not – both can be achieved with chalk paint, whatever your desired outcome. To minimise the appearance of visible brush strokes on your project, there are a number of tips to try whilst developing your own technique: Sunlight – Don’t work in direct sunlight as the paint could dry too quickly and cause drag marks. Overloading – Don’t overload your brush with paint. Dip only a short way down the bristles and apply with long, smooth, even strokes and a light touch. Let the brush do the work. Too much paint on the brush can lead to it becoming overworked, causing uneven texture by dragging the paint. Water – Some like to work with a dampened brush or to lightly mist the surface with water. This slows drying a little and means drag marks are less likely. Slightly thinning the paint with tap water works for some, but it can affect coverage. Sanding – Where brush marks do occur, these can be minimised by sanding back lightly once dry. Whisk off the dust and apply another coat. Brushes – Good brushes, designed for chalk paint pick up and release are helpful. Above all, practice makes perfect!