Painting tips?
Question:I'm painting a set of table and chairs. They were previously painted green and I am painting black over the green. Do I need to use any kind of primer? Is it helpful to sand them first? Should I use some kind of top coat? Laquer? I've never really painted anything before, as you might have guessed.
Answers:
If the paint that's on ther is really shiny, then it's called "glossy" paint. You need to either sand the shine off, primer it, or both. If the color now is dark and you want it light, best to primer first, or may not cover well.
if you want a good durable washable finish, use high-gloss interior latex enamel.
If you are not sure of the type of paint, it is best to sand, prime, then paint. Laquer is most durable and will hold up to wear best. Top coat is not needed.
Well, it all depends on what kind of paint is on the table and chairs and what kind of paint you're putting on top. Here's the way to make sure you get it right, no matter what kind of paint you're using.
1. Wash the table and chairs with liquid TSP to remove all grease and grime. And oil from fingers will keep any paint from adhering well. Use liquid TSP (you'll find this at your hardware store) and not the powder kind as the powder is hard to mix, is toxic and must be rinsed. The liquid is biodegradeable, non-toxic, easy to mix and doesn't need to be rinsed.
2. Once the furniture is dry, lightly sand it with a fine grain sandpaper to allow a primer to adhere properly. Wipe off the dust with a soft damp cloth.
3. Use an oil-based primer (I prefer spray primer for furniture as it goes on easier). I like to use Bull's Eye 1-2-3 or Kilz. They dry quickly enough. Use 2 light coats instead of one heavy one. You don't need to sand between coats.
4. Apply any kind of paint on top of oil-based primer. I highly suggest an oil-based paint, since it is furniture and oil-based paint is less likely to chip and peel. I once again suggest using spray paint. It really does go on better on furniture. Use 2 or 3 light coats. If you use an oil-based paint, you won't need to seal it with a varnish or sealer. If you use latex paint, you'll need to seal it with a satin finish clear sealant for latex paint.
Enjoy your new furniture!
If the base paint on the table is good now, you should be able to paint over it without trouble. Home stores sell a liquid product for prepping the surface. It might be called a liquid sander or something like that. After prepping, you should be able to paint with a good latex gloss enamel.
If the previous green paint is shiny and slick it would help to sand the surface . The idea is to skuff up the previous paint so that the new paint will stick . You could prime if you want to but it is not needed. If the previous paint is oil based you can repaint with latex paint but if the previous paint is latex you need to repaint with latex. Latex paint is soap and water clean up. Oil based needs mineral spirits to clean up . For durability use a eggshell or satin finish not flat. I always use an exterior latex satin paint on things that I paint inside or outside. It holds up well and it is washable. With the latex exterior paint one coat is all that is needed . no top coat .
First you will need to see if they were painted with oil or latex by taking a lighter to the paint and holding it there to see if it burns or bubbles. If it bubbles its oil based paint and you will have to primer it with oil based primer to be able to paint them with latex paint or you could just paint over them with oil based paint. There are all sorts of paints and options but you will definently want to let the paint cure for a week or so to ensure it doesnt chip,scratch or wear off. Sherwin williams has the best longest lasting paint for your money. good luck:)
Since you don't define the type of furniture as exterior/interior/high grade/casual or in the case of Laquer (Rarely Used) You might assume it's either Acyrilic latex, or an oil based enamel.
Without the time/expense/ and tedium of taking a paint chip to a chemist, you might share with a person of knowledge at a well known paint store.
With proper Prep you can paint any base substance over any other.
If the furniture isn't ornate; certainly you might sand, if for no other reason than to feather out chipped places. Certainly the pieces should be cleaned, perhaps with TSP.
There is no real need to PRIME, especially going from lighter to darker. You also don't state the method of painting you will choose.
One option might be,,,Before you do too much, test a patch on a place NOT visible, with your choice of new paint. If the paint beneath suddenly starts to crinkle or turn orange peel, You'll need some levels of prep. If the top coat of your choice separates or looks like you just dropped a spoonfull of oil into a pot of water, you'll need to prep.
One other option, or two actually. You can spend the time and money to STRIP the old coat...OR if there is a business handy to you that does acid Dip stripping you might at least take a piece to them inquiring.
Steven Wolf
Thousand of gallons of paint later
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