3 Furniture Refinishing Mistakes To Avoid
Whether you want to buy, fix up, and resell a home or you want to redo your own household's décor, refinishing furniture pieces can be a smart idea. Unfortunately, the process is not as easy as most people think. Without proper understanding and planning, you could end up causing more harm than good. With this guide, you will learn a few refinishing mistakes to avoid.
Forgetting to Clean
Even if the furniture piece appears clean, dirt, dust, and other debris are most likely lingering on the surface. A thorough cleaning is even more important if the furniture piece is old since there is probably a hidden layer of dirt and grime.
Applying paint to a surface that is dirty and dusty will be ineffective and time-consuming. In addition, the paint will not be smooth and even, decreasing the appeal of the furniture.
Use a heavy-duty grease cleaner to get started. Then, wash the furniture with a cleaning specifically designed for its material. If it is solid wood, make sure to use a wood cleaner, for example.
Not Sanding Well
Cleaning is not the only part of prep you need to complete when updating the furniture piece – you also need to sand the surfaces to ensure the paint adheres evenly.
A piece of sandpaper or sandpaper in a sandpaper block is a good option for starting the sanding process. Many people choose to use power sanders because they are quick and effective. However, the excess speed and power of these sanders may be too forceful for antique furniture and delicate woods. Therefore, a piece of sandpaper is ideal.
Using Too Much Paint
Finally, there is a common misconception that the more paint you apply, the better the piece is. In reality, you do not need to use as much paint as you think. Primer is important in most cases, so be sure to apply an even coat to prepare the surfaces for the paint.
Take your time applying the paint by using one coat at a time. Make sure the coat dries before checking the furniture's surface to determine if additional coats are necessary.
After the initial coat dries, inspect the painted surfaces carefully. If you see any of the underlying surface, you can apply another coat, but make sure the paint is completely dry beforehand. You should not need to paint so many coats that the paint starts to pile or bubble up while it is drying.
For more information, contact a furniture refinishing company.