Hand Painted Furniture - Proper Sanding for Beautiful Results

When I start to create a decorative piece of handrough spots in the wood that the primer has raised.
painted furniture, the first question I ask myself is am IYou will want to use a very fine grit to sand these
going to stain it or paint it? If I'm starting with a piece ofspots smooth. I prefer micro sanding sponges for this
new unfinished furniture that has a beautiful woodstep. When all the rough spots have been sanded
grain, staining is an excellent option. Staining woodaway, you are now ready to paint. I suggest a good
allows the grain to show through and provideslatex paint that takes about 2-4 hours to dry. Most
additional color and protection for the wood. In order tocolors require at least two coats of paint on top of the
create a very decorative, colorful, unique piece of handprimer to achieve the color you are expecting.
painted furniture, I may choose to paint the furnitureIf you are staining the furniture, select a stain that will
instead of staining it.enhance the grain of the wood. I like to use an
In either case, the first and probably most importantoil-based gel stain. It goes on easily with a chip brush or
step is to prepare the wood to take the finish.lint free rag, and then you wipe it off gently with a soft
Whether you are painting or staining the wood, you willlint free cloth so that the wood doesn't appear wet but
want to sand the furniture until the surface is smoothonly colored. Unlike paint, oil based stain takes much
and ready to accept the paint or stain. Always sand inlonger to dry, and if you want a darker stain, you need
the direction of the grain. I like to use a 220-grit sandingto wait about 24 hours before applying another coat.
sponge on unfinished wood and follow that up withFor many stains, one coat is sufficient.
320 and finally, a micro sanding grit that really makesThe last step to achieving beautiful results is to finish
the wood satiny smooth to the touch. Once thethe piece with a satin, a semi-gloss or gloss
sanding is finished, you need to vacuum up the sandingpolyurethane. If you used oil-based stain, you should
dust with a clean brush attachment and then wipe withuse an oil-based polyurethane. I use a gel poly over the
a lint free soft cloth or brush the surface with a softoil-based gel stain and I usually apply three coats. If you
brush to eliminate any debris without damaging thehave painted the piece of furniture, you still need to
wood pores. I don't recommend using a tack ragfinish it with a poly for lasting protection and years of
because even though it may collect all of the sandinguse. The difference is, you must wait about three
dust, it can interfere with some water based stains orweeks to let the paint cure before applying the poly.
finishes. As long as you're using an oil based stain, youMy favorite topcoat for paint is called Minwax
can use a tack rag if you do it gently so that you don'tPolycrylic Protective Finish. Polycrylic is a waterbased
damage the wood pores. Now you are ready to eithertopcoat that results in a beautiful finish that will not
paint or stain.yellow or change the color you have painted the
When you paint a piece of furniture, you will first applywood.
a good wood primer. Valspar makes an excellentFinally, the secret to a really beautiful finish, whether
wood primer for furniture (Valspar Enamelyou choose satin, semi-gloss or gloss is to gently sand
Undercoater). It dries quickly and sands easily. Did youaway any rough spots with a micro sanding sponge
think you were finished sanding? Not if you want abetween each coat of poly. The results will be
good finish. After the primer dries, you will notice somebeautiful!