Choosing the Right Paint for Antique Restoration

There are numerous things to look for in wooden furniture that will immediately tell you if it’s worth restoring, or how much work it will be. If you are strictly restoring, then the antique you come across needs to be intact and have no structural damage. For example, if you want to restore a wooden dresser, but it’s missing three drawers, you’re going to need to buy more materials as opposed to just refinishing. Remember that the quality of the construction is important. It can look outdated or worn, but it must be intact.

Also, if the piece you come across is already painted, then stay away. Who knows what’s underneath that paint? Water damage? Stains? Sure, it’s easy enough to strip, but if it’s not free. And it’s not worth the gamble.

Headboards are, pretty much, a necessity. And they aren’t cheap. They help bring your bedroom together.. If you’re the DIY type, a new headboard made out of a few wooden pallets might just be a perfect Saturday project.

Unlike the bookshelves, the headboard should be sturdy. Pick out a few pallets that are in great shape, put them together to form that headboard and attach it to your box spring. You can get as creative as you want, but wooden pallets are perfect for a rustic looking headboard.

Painting or staining is the fun part. However, in most cases, you need to do a lot of prep work. The first step is to clean. Before refinishing or painting, you must have the piece of furniture looking as clean as possible.

The next step is to make any needed repairs, and then take some sandpaper and get to work. No doubt, there are going to be rough spots that need sanding out. In fact, you may have to do a ton of sanding!In others, you might just have to smooth out some rough edges.

Once the piece is cleaned and sanded it’s ready to be painted.

Now that your piece of furniture is looking nice and fresh, you can stain or paint the wood. This is the fun part – and the part you envisioned when you saw that old dresser just laying on the ground on the side of the road or at a flea market.

Picking the right stain is important. It’s important to consider where the piece is going. Make sure it works in the room you want to feature it in. If you’re just refinishing in order to sell, this step isn’t as crucial. But our advice is to stay neutral if you’re trying to sell.  

Once you’ve decided on a stain or a paint, you’re ready to go. It doesn’t hurt to give it a little more sanding right before you paint. You can use a rag, a brush, or even a sponge to stain the wood. Be careful and take your time. The more precise you are the better the finished product will look.

Once you’ve finished staining or painting, it’s important to pick a finishing option. Many people go for a polyurethane finish because it will keep your wooden piece looking beautiful for a long time. It also does a great job of improving the durability of the wood.

At Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture, we help homeowners pick the perfect colors for any part of their home. To see our huge selection of paint colors, stop in at one of our convenient store locations today.