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painting new furniture

16 years ago

i really have my heart set on a black sleigh bed. i have been scouring the internet for weeks, even getting advice on the furniture forum of the manufacturers that fit into my criteria.

so today, i am at my neighbor's (who is an interior decorator) furniture and accessory auction. i went to be nice because she is my neighbor, but i really didn't plan on buying anything as i am actively looking for this black sleigh bed. well, wouldn't you know it, a big, beautiful sleigh bed is there. and, wouldn't you know it, it is about 1/8th the price that i was looking at. and wouldn't you know it, it has a deep cherry/mahogany stain on it.

and this is why i am here! (i'm not very good at that whole "long story short" thing!)

from what i've been reading on this forum (and i really have been reading!) my steps are as follows:

*clean with tsp

*sand finish off (no shine) with 220 grit sand paper

*prime

*at least 2 coats of cabinet coat

if i have missed a step or you have a better suggestion, then please help!

IF (and that is a very big IF) i have all of the steps right, here are my questions:

*can i use my little vibrating sander on this furniture (to save time) since i am not really gonna see the wood grain?

*i've read to use zin 123 but is there something better?

*is cabinet coat a sheen or a type of paint?

*what is alkyd paint?

*what is impervo or muralo paint?

*what is waterborne paint?

*is it really worth getting a chinex brush?

*should i put a protective coat top of the paint?

*should i sand in between coats?

thanks so much for the help! i will post before and after pics of my project. i am really nervous as i have never painted furniture before with good results. i hope that i don't end up with a crappy looking $350 sleigh bed!

suzanne

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Comment (1)

raygunclan
Original Author
16 years ago
i figured (if anyone but me is interested or might be in the future) that i would do the research on some of the questions that are fact and not technique. so...

i found this about alkyd paints:

Alkyd paints, when used in the home, are most commonly used for areas having high wear or prone to impact. These include trim, floors and sometimes cabinets. Another benefit to alkyd is it has a longer drying time than latex paint so it does not show brush strokes as much, an advantage when painting trim, woodwork and cabinetry.

Some disadvantages of alkyd paint include:

It is more expensive than latex paint
Odor intensive when drying and gives off VOC's (volatile organic compounds) Requires chemical solvent clean up using mineral spirits (paint thinner)
Some local municipalities restrict the use of this paint because of the hazardous materials it creates in the waste stream.

as for waterborne:

The word "waterborne" pretty much kinda means latex, but is meant to present the coating as a step-up premium type rather than it's cheaper paint cousins (like SuperHide etc.)

Waterborne Impervo is really nice if you build up the finish by brushing thin coats. It is thin and watery but when you get there in 2-3 coats its a really nice finish, for a waterborne.

as far as muralo goes:

www.muralo.com

so i guess its the other questions i REALLY need help with! (c:
suzanne
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