Painting Furniture
Your Guide to a Fresh New Look
Painting furniture is one of the simplest and most creative ways to breathe new life into old pieces – all without breaking the bank. Whether you want to try painting kitchen furniture, painting wardrobes or even painting ikea furniture, with the right paint and technique the transformation is quick and easy.
Before & After Inspiration
A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a piece of furniture. Whether it's a worn wooden wardrobe, a plain shelf or an older piece of kitchen furniture – before-and-after comparisons show time and time again how impressive the difference can be after a new coat of paint. From yellowed and dull to modern and stylish: the right paint brings every piece back to life.
Which Furniture Paints Are You Interested In?
Acrylic Protect is an acrylic-based furniture paint with a satin finish, ideal for wood, MDF and similar materials – easy to maintain and long-lasting. Chalk paint is the perfect choice for a matt vintage or shabby chic look; it dries quickly and can be sanded for decorative distressed effects. The 2K PU coloured lacquer is a two-component polyurethane varnish that provides a glossy, extremely durable finish and is suitable for a wide range of surfaces – even when in contact with plastic and rubber. The 2K PU clear lacquer serves as a transparent protective varnish for furniture, floors, walls, wood, metal, tiles and microcement and is available in both matt and gloss finishes.
Why the Right Furniture Paint Makes All the Difference
Painting furniture is significantly cheaper than buying new furnishings and offers maximum creative freedom at the same time. Instead of disposing of worn-out wardrobes or kitchen furniture, a fresh coat of paint is all that's needed to give them a modern appearance. Modern furniture paints are water-based, low-odour and environmentally friendly. Anyone looking at painting IKEA furniture will also benefit from the straightforward application properties – even laminated surfaces can be painted without difficulty with the right preparation. For particularly hard-wearing surfaces, a 2K PU clear lacquer or 2K PU coloured lacquer provides maximum durability. The result is a unique piece that perfectly matches your own style.
Microcement of premium quality for objects of all kinds. Ideal for tables, kitchen countertops, islands, doors, lamps, and more.
You Want More Than Just Painting? Discover Furniture Coatings
If you want to give your furniture a particularly elegant and modern look, you can turn to microcement. The microcement set for furniture is a two-component design plaster that enables a seamless, long-lasting concrete finish in various grain sizes. The result is a unique, industrial aesthetic that can be stylishly applied when painting wardrobes as well as on tables and shelves. Please note that microcement should be sealed with a PU Finish for heavily used furniture.
More Design Inspiration
Get inspired by further design ideas and discover the diverse possibilities of painting furniture. From classic white tones to bold accent colours and soft pastel shades – with the right choice of colour and technique, every piece of furniture becomes an eye-catcher. Browse through image galleries and project examples to find the perfect inspiration for your next project.
FAQ – Questions & Answers About Furniture Paint
How do you apply Acrylic Protect correctly when painting furniture?
Sand the surface to improve adhesion. Ensure the surface is clean and grease-free – use a pre-cleaner if necessary. Mix the paint well and add the WB-Pigment supplied. Apply one coat with a brush or foam roller and leave to dry for approximately 8 hours at 20 °C. We recommend approximately 2 coats for optimal results.
How do you apply chalk paint – can you paint furniture without sanding?
Even with chalk paint, we recommend lightly sanding the surface to achieve better adhesion. Thoroughly clean the surface with a pre-cleaner. Apply a coat of chalk paint using a brush or foam roller and allow it to dry for approximately 6 hours at 20 °C. For a distressed look, lightly sand the dried chalk paint. Then seal the surface with wax or, alternatively, with Acrylic Protect as a protective layer.
What is the difference between Acrylic Protect and Acrylic Protect+?
Acrylic Protect is a dimensionally stable paint developed for dimensionally stable substrates and surfaces with paint-on-paint contact such as doors and windows. Acrylic Protect+ is a flexible paint for non-dimensionally stable or warping substrates. For most furniture projects, Acrylic Protect is the right choice.
What is the minimum temperature required when painting IKEA furniture?
Acrylic Protect, Acrylic Protect+ and chalk paint must be applied at a minimum temperature of +8 °C (substrate, room and paint temperature). The 2K PU clear coat and the 2K PU colour coat can be applied from +5 °C, with 20 °C being ideal. Applying below the minimum temperature can lead to problems with opacity and drying.
Are the Paints Matt or Gloss – What Is Suitable for Painting Kitchen Furniture?
Acrylic Protect has a satin finish. Chalk paint has a matt finish. The 2K PU Coloured Lacquer and the 2K PU Clear Lacquer are each available in matt or gloss. For painting kitchen furniture, Acrylic Protect or the 2K PU Coloured Lacquer are particularly suitable, as both are easy to care for and hard-wearing.
What is the 2K PU Clear Coat and what can I use it for?
The 2K PU Clear Coat is a transparent, two-component polyurethane topcoat. It is suitable as a universal protective coating for floors, walls and furniture made from concrete, wood, metal, tiles, microcement, epoxy resin and many other materials. It is always applied as a topcoat and is not suitable for levelling or filling cracks.
What are the advantages of 2K PU clear lacquer for furniture?
The 2K PU clear lacquer is UV-resistant, non-yellowing, flexible, scratch-resistant, waterproof, chemical-resistant and extremely durable. Thanks to its flexibility, it won't crack even on substrates that warp. It is heat-resistant up to 80 °C and, once fully cured, is even food-safe.
What is the mixing ratio for the 2K PU coloured lacquer?
The mixing ratio for the 2K PU coloured lacquer is 3:1 – for example, 1.5 kg resin (A component) with 0.5 kg hardener (B component). To achieve the desired colour, add approximately 5% EP colour paste to the mixture. The pot life is 90 minutes at 25 °C, so we recommend mixing only small quantities at a time.
How do you apply microcement to furniture and wardrobes?
Ensure the piece of furniture is stable, dry and free from dirt and unevenness. Prime with the appropriate primer. Mix the microcement powder with liquid component B in a ratio of 100:20 and add 2% WB pigment. Apply the mixture thinly with a trowel and allow it to dry. Apply a second coat within 24 hours. For heavily used surfaces, we recommend sealing with PU Finish.
Is there a transparent paint for protecting furniture?
Yes, our 2K PU Clear Coat can be used as a transparent protective layer. It is a universal top coat that can be applied to floors, walls and furniture. Please note that the untinted variants of Acrylic Protect and Chalk Paint are not transparent – they have a milky-white appearance.
Conclusion
Painting furniture is one of the most creative and cost-effective ways to personalise your home. Discover more tips, techniques and colour inspiration to make the most of your next furniture project.
STEVE SMITH
Any questions? I am glad to help!
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