I have refinished furniture with paint, and I have refinished furniture using stain. I decided I wanted to try refinishing a piece of furniture with spray paint to see how it turned out.
It all started with a little table that I got last year for $15 at the thrift store. It kinda scratched up, but I loved the shape, so I bought it anyway. It’s been sitting in my garage for months. I decided it was time to dust it off and give it a makeover. Here are the instructions in case you want to try it yourself. (You do, you want to try it. It’s easy. Promise.)
Refinishing Furniture with Spray Paint
1-Start with an old piece of furniture. When you’re shopping, ignore color. Just look for design or shape that you like. I started with this table.
2-Fill any holes or scratches in the furniture with putty or spackling. I used this stuff:
3-After the spackling dries, you want to sand the entire piece. Roughing up the surface helps the paint stick better, so make sure you sand everything. You don’t have to sand it down to the bare wood, a light sanding is just fine. When you are done sanding, make sure you wipe off all the dust. Tack cloth works best, but baby wipes or slightly damp rags will work in a pinch.
4-Primer. This step is optional, especially if you are painting a piece of furniture a dark color. If you are painting a dark piece of furniture a lighter color, you will definitely want to use primer. It will cut down on your coats of paint A LOT. I did it on this piece just to be safe. I haven’t had great luck with spray paint primer, so I used Kilz primer and brushed it on. I just did one coat and it worked fine.
5-After your primer has dried for at least 24 hours, you are ready to paint. I used Krylon satin black spray paint. Make sure you use light coats so you don’t get drips. Several light coats is way better than a couple thick coats. Follow the instructions on the can so you know how long the paint should dry between coats.
Here’s my table after several light coats of paint:
6-After your piece of furniture is thoroughly dry, you can distress the edges if you like. I like distressing, because if you have kids, everything ends up “distressed” anyway, so you might as well make it look like you did it on purpose. 😉
For pieces like this that have small details, I think it is easier to sand by hand than to use my palm sander. A large nail file works great for getting into small spaces. (How sad is it that I wear out more nail files on wood than I do on my actual nails?) When you are done distressing, carefully wipe off all the dust.
7-At this point you can be done. But with four boys, I wanted an extra layer of protection. I decided to add a coat of polyurethane. I used this stuff:
It’s really easy, you just pour it on a rag and wipe it on. I used two coats. The directions said to sand in between coats, but I thought that was waaay to much work. So I just applied one, let it dry, and applied another one. It seemed to turn out fine. Fabulous actually!
Here is the final product.
Much better, doncha think?
La Habra Fence Company
August 26, 2016 at 7:19 amSimply amazing! I love the painted furniture. it looks so cool. If we apply paint on fence, it will also improve the exterior look of home.
William
July 20, 2015 at 7:15 amThank you so much for your posts about painting furniture. I’m about to take on several furniture painting projects in my own home, and I wouldn’t even know where to begin without your ‘tutorials’. So THANK YOU! I hope they turn out as pretty as yours!
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Tania
August 19, 2013 at 7:11 pmHow did you get spray paint on the inside of the rods? I have a very similar table (just mine has a lift up drawer on the front) and after spraying the whole piece, I now realize that the paint is not evenly distributed on the rods (hard to get in between them for example).
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Jules@Happy House and Home
July 24, 2013 at 9:34 amThis is just what I was looking for before I spray paint a really old table and chairs. I actually thought I’d just sand and paint, but now I’m definitely going to prime. I will add the poly too – kids galore, dog and cat – say no more! Thank you for your help! Julia
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April 25, 2013 at 1:29 pmGreat post.
Lolli S
March 31, 2013 at 1:15 amI absolutely love this table! I have one at home almost identical to the before one that I have been wanting to refinish black! It looks like I have a project on my hands! 🙂
Patricia Dulaney
February 16, 2013 at 11:35 pmAmazing result! Pretty cool! 🙂
Kara
February 20, 2013 at 8:20 pmThanks Patricia! It really is amazing what spray paint can transform!
Annette
January 19, 2013 at 10:23 pmI have these same exact end tables and the matching coffee table that was my husbands grandparents. I’ve been thinking about updating them
Kara
February 1, 2013 at 8:07 amOh, you really should. I love mine so much more now!
Vanessa Mumford
December 27, 2012 at 6:24 pmI perfectly love the result! We have similar furniture at home and I am planning to refurnish it too. Thanks for sharing the idea. 🙂 Great job!
Painting
November 28, 2012 at 11:16 pmI love painting furniture.
So many options and if you mess up, you can paint over it.
Martha Ayotte
September 13, 2012 at 3:41 pmI love your technique. We just bought a house in another state. I have an old secretarial desk of my mother’s. It is missing some verneer and her cat gouged it pretty badly. I am going to paint it black using your technique. Hope it comes out nice as yours!
Kara
September 18, 2012 at 10:07 pmI bet it will Martha. Spray paint is very forgiving, and can transform just about anything. Good luck!
Kerry Ann Pike
August 10, 2012 at 11:53 pmWhy type of spray paint did you use? There are so many different finishes and such that I’m lost in that area. Help!!!
I have a living room set that is still functional but needs to be updated and I’m about to take sandpaper and spray paint to it but don’t know which type.
Casey
July 7, 2012 at 9:08 amYou just made my day! I wanted to paint with a darker spray paint, but was nervous. I will be doing this later in the week! = )
Kara
July 7, 2012 at 9:45 amYay, glad to hear it! Let me know how your project turns out!
haley
April 2, 2012 at 8:54 pmI just bought a table like this at an antique store with the idea to refurbish it! Thanks for the tips!
Professionial Furniture Restorer
March 24, 2012 at 12:26 pmI think your table turned out beautiful but it is not refinishing, you did refurbish it, refinishing or restoring a finish the art of repairing or reapplying the wood finishing on an object to make it as beautiful is when new. With an antique the goal is to Restore the finish not refinish the piece because it will devalue the item.
Martha Stewart paint can be brushed on and when dry will leave no brush marks. I used it in vintage pieces all the time. Also Behr paint is another great paint although a little more expensive.
Kara
March 26, 2012 at 9:03 amI use the Behr paint all the time and I love it!
Susane B
January 2, 2012 at 10:43 pmSo I did a project with end tables like this, and EVERYTHING I tried to use to give a protective layer never worked. The polyurethane spray paint never cured– it just remained tacky. The shellac “booger’d up” really gross all over… So I just re-sanded and repained multiple times and finally left it with no protective layer… But now things STILL stick to it and flake the paint off. It’s been MONTHS since it’s been painted— PLEASE HELP!
Stephanie
January 1, 2012 at 8:31 pmI have always hated those particular tables, but seeing it painted made me realize I just hate the stain. I love what you did with it!
Kara
January 2, 2012 at 11:25 amThanks so much Stephanie! It is amazing what a little paint can do! 🙂
Nick
December 30, 2011 at 12:51 pmSpray painting gives it a really great finish. Have you ever tried compressed air spraying or airless spray guns?
jayb
August 22, 2011 at 10:21 amLove it! I’ve always been taught to never use spray paint on wood because it won’t turn out well–but yours looks perfect! Lesson learned 🙂
Ana
July 23, 2011 at 12:51 amOMG!! I just gave mine away 🙁
’cause I didn’t know what to do with them (4)
so so sad
luxury home
July 19, 2011 at 6:09 amThanks for sharing the cleaning techniques
Erin
July 11, 2011 at 6:14 amWow, this really turned out great! I have an old wooden, half painted, kitchen table that is in desperate need of refinishing. I am going to give this method a try for a new look, thanks so much for the instructions!
stef
June 27, 2011 at 2:05 pmLooks great! Just curious though, has the paint chipped or scratched off at all? I want to spray some chairs, but I’m not sure the paint would adhere properly and end up chipping off.
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May 20, 2011 at 12:53 pmgreat way to save money and still make your home look beautiful.. good job and great idea haha.
Anna Boyd
July 27, 2010 at 11:31 amI have a question and wondered if you could help me. I just now got back to working on the coffee table I mentioned in my last comment. I applied the first coat of paint (dark brown) and it shows my terrible job of putting primer on. Must have put the primer on to thick becouse it has some runs. I saw it after it had already dried, so I sanded it as much as I could. But when I put my first coat of dark paint on it, it is showing everything!! I was hoping the second coat would cover some of that up, but it didn’t. I have spent about $30 on everything I needed for this (primer, paint, sandpaper) and can’t stand the thought of giving up on it now.
The sides and legs aren’t that big of deal to me if they have some bumps and uneven-ness, but the top REALLY shows every flaw.
My original plan was to distress it like you did yours. Will that cover some of the blemishes on top? Do you have any ideas on how to make this any better?
Also, I know you used spray paint, but I bought mine in a can. I’ve been using a brush; would it look nicer if I used a roller?
Sorry, I hope this is not too many questions, I just have never done anything like this before and I need someone creative to help me out. Thank you so much.
Courtni Nalley
March 25, 2012 at 4:40 pmThank you so much for posting this! I’m going to tackle my first piece tomorrow. Hopefully it turns out (half) as good as this 🙂
Kara
March 26, 2012 at 9:01 amI bet it will, spray paint is magical. Good luck!
Anna Boyd
July 14, 2010 at 5:30 amKara, after seeing this post I was so impressed. Then the following Saturday, I went to an auction and bought a sofa table for $3. It was UGLY.
I have sanded it and put on one coat of primer. I am ready to apply the first coat of paint and just have a question about “distressing” it. (I have never done anything like this before.) Do you sand the whole thing after its painted, or just the edges to get that distressed look? Also, what kind of sandpaper should I use? Fine grit, or course? I would really appreciate your help.
I’m having so much fun with it and can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Thanks so much!!
Anna
maria
July 7, 2010 at 3:51 pmthanks soooo much, this tutorial is just what I needed for this weekend. A small desk re-do. I’ll link your blog when I post about it and I’ll let you know too. I’m your newest follower.
Kara
July 7, 2010 at 5:35 pmGlad to hear it Maria! Can’t wait to see how your desk turns out! 🙂
Bridgette
July 5, 2010 at 9:57 amThanks for joining us for another great Anything Related! ~Bridgette
Charlotte
July 2, 2010 at 2:42 pmI have some furniture I need to redo and have been at a loss of where to start, so I’m glad for the advice. Now that I have a plan, if only I could find some time!
Elaine
July 1, 2010 at 5:21 pmThis is a great project – I will need to try the poly urethane after I am done. I expect that it will stand up to spills and other mishaps better. I have 3 boys and, of course, my husband. You need all the protection you can get so that your work is protected. Keep up the good work!
Barb
July 1, 2010 at 9:32 amI love this so much! The best part is the Spray paint..Anytime I can get away with spray painting I use it…but yours turned out soooooo cute!! Great job girlfriend!!
Also wanted to let you know I just became your lastest “FAN” & “Liked” your pg. on your FB Sidebar. I hope you will go the http://santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com & become a Fan of mine as well..It’s on the sidebar..I’m just starting out on FB & could use any support I could get..Thanks..Barb
Wendy
June 30, 2010 at 12:33 pmIt looks great! I love using spraypaint, I hate brushstrokes!
somedaycrafts
June 29, 2010 at 11:16 pmLooks great in black!
Emily@Decorchick
June 29, 2010 at 10:03 pmI spray paint all my furniture and LOVE it!! I don’t think I’ve used “real” paint on anything yet. Sad. Your table looks great!
Ashlee
June 29, 2010 at 9:46 pmSO pretty! It looks so smooth and nice… What thrift store do you find treasures at around here. The goodwill near me is pretty expensive when it comes to wood!
Nancy
June 29, 2010 at 7:14 pmI LOVE it! I want to try that wipe on poly sometime. Great tute! Thanks!
Nancy
Emily
June 29, 2010 at 4:45 pmYour table looks great! I am a huge promoter of spray paint! I ♥ spray paint!!!
Anna Dawn
June 29, 2010 at 4:10 pmWow- thanks for the great tips! You have inspired me to tackle some furniture projects that I have been putting off. The piece looks great, but I am wondering what it is, an end table perhaps? 🙂
Kara
June 29, 2010 at 5:16 pmYep. Now I just need to refinish the chairs that it will be sitting between. 🙂
Danielle @ Life on Dahlia Lane
June 29, 2010 at 3:28 pmThe table turned out great! My grandma had some of those when I was little…they looked more like the before picture though 😉
Amanda Jones
June 29, 2010 at 3:08 pmI love redoing furniture and yours is amazing! It is so fun to turn something frumpy into something beautiful! You did a great job!
Michelle@Alittletipsy
June 29, 2010 at 12:51 pmLove the black!
Noreen
June 29, 2010 at 12:15 pmIt looks great! I like the color and using a nail file. 🙂
Brittany
June 29, 2010 at 12:13 pmI looks wonderful! I love the black! How many cans of spray paint did you end up using on that table? The black I mean?
Kara
June 29, 2010 at 12:21 pmIt was kinda hard to tell because I didn’t start with a full can. But I’d say I used 1- 1 1/2 cans. If I’d painted it white I’m sure I would have needed a lot more!
Molly @ A Bit O' Shine
June 29, 2010 at 10:21 amIt looks beautiful Kara! Now it’s not suffering from dated yucky stain anymore.
~Issy
June 29, 2010 at 9:50 amOh. My.
I LOVE IT!
I really, really need to stop being scared of trying to do stuff like this…..sigh.
Kara
June 29, 2010 at 9:59 amYes you do. A few years ago I was terrified to try anything. Then once I started, I was hooked. Start with something small for your first project. That way if you do happen to hate the results, you’re not out much time or $$. Go for it! And feel free to ask me any questions! 🙂