Categories: DIY

DIY Wood Painting: For Lovers of Crafts

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Over the years, wood has been gaining more and more fans, either for its multiple use in interior decoration, for the comfort and harmony it creates inside a house, or simply when for the possibility of renewing its shape. quick and simple.

Wood is widely used in crafts and handicrafts, so DIY lovers are always ready to use this material at home.

The most interesting thing about this material is that, in addition to the possibility to buy the raw material already ready and finished, you can make it, prepare it and paint it to your liking, giving that unique and personal touch.

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Are you interested in learning how to paint wood? Check out our tips and suggestions

How to paint wood: 6 main steps

Prepare the wood

Preparing the wood involves cleaning the furniture and removing all dirt and dust.

Remove the old paint (if applicable)

This can be done through the use of sandpaper or appropriate machines that remove the paint completely and leave the wood clean and genuine again.

Putting grease in cracks or imperfections

This step is important to prevent imperfections from being visible after painting. For this, there are special spatulas that help in applying this mass and facilitate its distribution

Sand the wood

Start with a thicker sandpaper and finish with a finer sandpaper. The idea is to make the surface smooth and easier to paint, especially if you previously applied grease.

Clean the wood with a damp cloth

It is also interesting to vacuum it to remove any dust or remaining sanded wood that has been scattered on the wood or furniture.

Isolate the parts you don’t want to paint

For this you can use masking tape or adhesive tape. You can usually buy this type of material in houses that sell paint products or hardware stores.

Apply the primer

The primer will make painting easier and also make the paint stick to the wood more quickly. The primer can be made of latex and you can apply it with the help of a brush or spray.

Wood Paints

There are three types of paint that are used in wood painting: latex paint, acrylic paint and lacquer nitrocellulose paint. Each of them has a different function, as you can see in the description we have given below.

Latex paint

Water-based, it is very common for handmade and home-made paintings. Can be applied with brushes or rollers. It is indicated for wooden objects that will stay away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Acrylic paint

Similar to latex paint, with the difference that it fixes better on wood and ensures impermeability. It is a good choice for wooden furniture that will stay outside or for very humid spaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. The painting can be done with a roller, brush or with a spray gun.

Nitrocellulose lacquer paint

Nitrocellulose easily attaches to wood and is quick-drying. It has several color options and can have a glossy or matte effect. It is not soluble in water and requires the use of protective equipment, due to the extremely strong odor it releases.

Post-painting

After finishing the painting of the wood you must take some precautions to ensure that the paint fixes correctly and that the end result is the intended one.

When finished painting you can:

Sealant

The idea here is to ensure that the wood exposed to the sun or outdoors will last longer and not lose the shine of the paint. However, you need to ask a seller if the sealant is placed over the paint you have chosen.

Latex paints, for example, do not usually work with some sealants. In order not to spoil the painting, it is advisable to consult with professionals beforehand.

It should be noted that most paints today are more resistant and already have in their composition products that guarantee better fixation and duration. Assess whether it is really necessary to apply the sealant.

On average, three layers of sealant are needed to ensure a good fixation of the product.

Varnish

Varnish is also used to finish painting on wood, usually with the aim of making the object or furniture shine.

Like the sealant, the varnish works as an extra protection.

If the goal is to shine, bet on glossy paints and do not matte.

Sanding

To finish your painting of the wood you can sand the entire piece again. Be careful to use fine and smooth sandpaper.

The idea is just to eliminate small irregularities and also to prepare the wood to receive the sealant or varnish.

Important recommendations:

Never forget to wear masks, protective material (glasses) and appropriate clothing;

Use soft, quality brushes (they make all the difference when applying paint or varnish);

Use rollers only in large areas to facilitate the process;

If applying putty to the wood, opt for a flexible spatula.

Lara Oliveira

We are a graduated team in Architecture and Interior Design with experience in the development and monitoring of Architecture and Decoration projects, rehabilitation, remodeling, material counseling, choice of decorative pieces and others. We are passionate about aesthetics and refined and elegant environments, with a lot of character and personality!