How to revive timber furniture
Most timber pieces can be made over quickly and easily with a couple of coats of paint. Generally, this is a simple, three-step process that only takes an afternoon or two. Set yourself up in a nice spot in the garden, with a drop sheet and all your painting equipment (and perhaps a little Vivaldi playing in the background to make it even more enjoyable).
For most furniture projects, a satin finish works well as it gives a mid-level gloss – hardier than a matte finish but more forgiving of fingerprints than high-gloss.
What you will need:
- Warm damp cloth
- Sandpaper
- Acrylic paint in satin
What to do:
1. Clean your furniture thoroughly with a warm, damp cloth. Allow to dry.
2. Sand back until smooth and then wipe away any dust.
3. Apply two coats of paint. Allow for plenty of drying time between coats.
Extra painting tips:
- Remove any hardware such as handles and hinges if you don’t want paint on them (we didn’t worry with this project as the hardware had already been painted over previously) and protect any fixed fittings with masking tape.
- In these projects, we’ve sanded rather than stripped furniture. This is because I don’t like the heavy chemicals used in most commercial paint strippers. For most pieces, sanding is easier and less messy. However, if you have an old piece with intricate mouldings, it is better to use a stripper as you may wear away the detail if you sand too vigorously.
- Use the right size brush. Small brushes for small pieces, large for large.
- The glossier the finish, the hardier it will be. A satin finish will suit most items but high gloss will be more suitable for hard working items such as kitchen tables. Matte finishes are best for more decorative pieces.
This is an edited extract from Luxe Vintage by Tahn Scoon published by New Holland Publishers.