Early Access Video: How to Paint Furniture
Added 2021-10-16 11:00:04 +0000 UTCFriends:
I'm still singing the gospel of painted furniture! Really, it's a great way to make a piece stand out and add a little fun to your home. This desk is for my daughter and she loves the bright color.
For everyone who's never painted a piece before, here's a complete guide with tons of tips and tricks. You can do this, even the first time.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
I had restored an old toolbox. Other than it being a tool chest rather than a school desk, it was exactly the same as yours. I painted it with General Finishes "Milk Paint" (two or three coats) and I thought I was finished (that pun was totally intended). After nearly no use whatsoever, the paint was chipped, and a bit scratched. I was a bit demoralized at the usability of my chest. This video opened my eyes to topcoats. I am testing out the satin finish of the same polyurethane floor topcoat you used in the video. I am hoping that it will withstand what I dish out. As a middle aged man, I know I am capable of more rough use of furniture than an eight year old. Thanks for the tip.
Bill Brisky
2021-10-23 17:47:03 +0000 UTCGreat video and some sound advice. Don’t point out your errors. You are probably the only person that see’s them - Thanks Rex !
Peter Ferguson
2021-10-21 16:11:48 +0000 UTCGreat video, and I like you are using that orange card to spread the filler. Great use for an expensive piece of plastic.
Skully Wood and Metal
2021-10-18 02:33:44 +0000 UTCThis turned out great! I wonder, have you ever tried home-made wood filler from sanding dust mixed with glue or shellac, and what was your experience with it?
Daniel Bohrer
2021-10-17 12:48:33 +0000 UTCHow to Paint Furniture. Step one, get a whole bunch of sour milk and strain it through a cheesecloth.
Stephen Cannon
2021-10-17 02:25:22 +0000 UTCRex, here a quick tip for you that I learned from a painter. Always pull your brush off an edge to avoid drips. When you pull the brush onto an edge you sometimes "wring out" the paint from the brush.
Fred Gosbee
2021-10-16 23:51:07 +0000 UTCLooks amazing! Great job and very helpful tips.
Brian Suker
2021-10-16 21:47:56 +0000 UTCLove the desk and love the color. Thanks for another great video.
Amy Holderness
2021-10-16 20:11:08 +0000 UTCAs always, I enjoyed the video. My favorite part wasn't about painting though. It was the segue to the Patreon pitch. "If you'd like to see me make more mistakes..."
Jeff Tinsley
2021-10-16 19:28:39 +0000 UTCThank you Rex for my Saturday morning coffee video. Great information on paint prep and application. Love that color, bright and cheerful. And I totally agree with the "don't point out your mistakes" statement. My youngest brother makes beautiful boxes, tool chests and tables and he has pointed out many flaws in his work. I just see them as intentional non-perfection. I believe it is the Navajo weavers that believe if you make something perfect you will offend the deities, so they always leave a tiny flaw in their work. Makes sense to me.
Matt Evans-Koch
2021-10-16 18:21:22 +0000 UTCSpectacular work. Love that you are confident and mature enough to share mistakes: mark of a master teacher. That six boarded chest would look good if painted.
John Morrison
2021-10-16 17:44:07 +0000 UTCI am looking forward to seeing more mistakes and having Rex point them out. I bet Rex takes his own advice and doesn't mention the corner to his daughter.
Stuart
2021-10-16 16:45:16 +0000 UTCRex, I had I high hopes for this video that it would make painting and finishing less of a pain and maybe enjoyable. Unfortunately you failed. It still looks like a lot of time consuming detailed work. But, you did impart lots of useful information on painting technique which is the point I guess. So this’ll help me be a better woodworker. Thanks
Richard C von Brecht
2021-10-16 15:51:13 +0000 UTCNice paint job, and great tips on the process, particularly the top coat. That outside corner is always going to be trouble, basically the reason that carpenters always set trim with a reveal...instead of trying to perfectly align the edge of the trim "flush" with the edge of the door or window jamb they set it back 3/16" or so. Even if you do perfectly align those edges and start out with a smooth corner the least bit of shrinkage (and those long pieces of pine are going to shrink a little) or stress on the joint will crack the paint. When you set the trim back you create an inside corner which usually won't crack, particularly if you calk it with a flexible product (acrylic latex). As my old carpentry partner would say, "If you can't hide it, make it a detail";)
John Griswold
2021-10-16 15:09:12 +0000 UTCOnce again thank you, Rex. Painted furniture is fun! Years ago I built some desks with flip down work surfaces for my boys. My wife and I had lots of fun painting them ...with stripes included. Now, pieces of the desks are incorporated in my lumber cart. I look forward to making desks for my grandsons when they are of age. I think I will try your painting technique when the time comes.
John Hiemstra
2021-10-16 14:24:10 +0000 UTCI just finished the desk so this is timely; I think I will add Floetrol to the paint.
James Carey
2021-10-16 14:06:59 +0000 UTCThank you for your candor. There's too many "experts" online who would have you believe they never make a mistake. Great video!
Kevin S Thomas
2021-10-16 13:28:32 +0000 UTCHahaha. "If you want to see me make more mistakes..." Hilarious. I rarely think about coatings and this is a great reference for me. Keep making those wood shavings, Rex!
Sean McGown
2021-10-16 12:13:41 +0000 UTCThat colour is driving me nuts, in the photo it looks blue but in the video it looks green! 😳🤔. Nice job Rex, I would be interested in how you can solve the corner issue next time.
The Deaf Maker
2021-10-16 11:56:16 +0000 UTC
