Easy & Effective Method To Paint Laminate Furniture To Look Like Wood
Faux painting is a method by which the user can give laminate furniture a wood grain look. It has been recommended by the experts to use a wood-graining rocker and paint comb to create the wood pattern and both the tools are inexpensive and are available at all paint stores. In order to give the laminate furniture a more authentic wood grain pattern, it has been recommended to use wood colored paint and glaze by following the below-given method:
- Remove Hardware:
The first step will be to remove all the hardware from the furniture using a screwdriver or any other suitable tool. If the furniture consists of doors & drawers, the user needs to remove them as well. - Sand The Furniture:
After that, the user needs to sand the entire furniture by using 220-grit sandpaper. The step is required to rough the furniture surface so that the primer can adhere to it easily. The doors & drawers should be sanded separately. - Apply Primer:
The next step will be to prime the furniture using an oil or water-based primer. The user needs to choose such a primer that has strong adhesive properties compared to the one that covers stains. Once primed, the user needs to let the furniture dry completely. - Apply Paint:
After that, the user needs to apply semi-gloss latex finish paint over the furniture by using a paintbrush. In order to replicate the wood appearance, it has been recommended to choose a color that should match with the wood hue such as Umber, Sienna, beige, etc. Once the first coat of paint dries, the user needs to apply a second coat of paint and let it dry as well. - Prepare And Apply Glaze:
The next step will be to prepare a glaze by mixing clear acrylic glaze with latex paint in equal parts. The latex paint should be of darker hue compared to the base coat latex paint. After that, the user needs to apply the mixture on a single side of furniture by using a 4-inch roller. - Use Paint Comb:
After that, the user needs to hold a paint comb over the glaze at a 45% angle and run it along the edges of the furniture. It has been recommended to run the paint comb in straight lines from one end to the other. The pattern created by comb gives the user a starting point for the wood-graining rocker in order to create a faux grain. - Use Wood Grain Rocker:
The next step will be to set a wood grain rocker at the end of the furniture surface. The edges of the rocker should be overlapping the pattern created by paint comb. After that, the user needs to run the rocker to the other end of the furniture surface by using continuous motions. It has been recommended to use basic motions in order to create most of the patterns. Also, the user can run the paint comb along the edges of the wood grain rocker pattern in order to create an impression of a separate plank. An alternate pattern can be created by running the wood grain rocker on to the furniture surface in the opposite direction of the paint comb pattern. - Apply Clear Polyurethane Varnish:
After that, let the glaze dry completely before applying a protective coat of clear polyurethane varnish on to it. The user needs to repeat the method on to each side of the furniture along with doors & drawers. - Reattach Hardware:
Once the varnish dries, the user needs to reattach hardware back to the furniture along with door and drawers. If the previous hardware doesn't match the wood grain color, the user needs to replace them with the matched ones.