When you are looking for a fresh look for your furniture, painting it can be a great option. However, not all paints are created equal – some work better on pine than others. In this blog post, we will discuss the best paint to use for painting pine furniture, how to apply it correctly, and what to watch out for when doing the job. Follow these tips and you will have beautiful painted pine furniture in no time!
Why Is It So Hard to Paint Pinewood?
When it comes to painting pine furniture, one of the biggest problems you may encounter is that the wood is so absorbent that paint can easily soak in and become difficult to work with. Additionally, pine often has an uneven surface texture which makes it challenging to achieve an even coat of paint.
Fortunately, with the right preparation and technique, you can paint pine furniture and achieve a professional-looking finish. Here are some tips for painting your pine furniture the right way.
Why we do not recommend using a 2-in-1 solution?
There are four different types of paint, each with its designated use.
- The first thing you need to do is stop the sap from coming through the paint. You can do this by using a knotting solution to stop the sap.*
- The second item you need is a primer. It’s essential for helping the paint to stick to bare wood and other surfaces.
- Thirdly, the undercoat is a layer that’s very light-blocking and aids in helping the paint to adhere properly.
- Finally, the topcoat is what gives you the finished look. While it’s tempting to use a 2-in-1 paint for all of these purposes, we don’t recommend it. It may be more cost-effective in the short term, but it will not give you the best finish.
- Also, you 2 coats of sealer for the best results
*If you have varnished pine furniture, you do not need to use a knotting solution.
The top coat, although it does add color, isn’t very opaque. So if you want to cover a pattern (like wood grain or a different color scheme), you need an undercoat. If one coat of paint isn’t enough, do two coats instead. And if that still doesn’t work, try three coats. In other words, don’t apply the top coat until the undercoat is an even shade all over.
The “one coat” paints aren’t good enough to get a professional-looking paint job. They’re usually a mixture of undercoat and topcoat, so they don’t have enough color to completely cover the surface you’re painting. Moreover, you understand that a 2-in-1 solution will not work enough too.
Useful tips for painting pine furniture
If you have varnished furniture:
- You don’t need knotting solution (the varnish does that for you anyway).
- Use 240 grade paper for primer layer.
- Use 240 grade paper for undercoat layer.
- After these steps use paint. 2-3 coats should be enough.
If you have an unfinished unit:
- Use knotting solution for the surfaces you want to paint.
- Use 180 sandpaper, 300ish in between coats sandpaper for gentle sanding in between coats.Taft cloths are extremely helpful at this stage (and all other stages, to be honest).
- Use wood primer or primer undercoat matching the top coat paint you want to use (oll based or water based) which you apply only on the surfaces to be painted
- After these steps use paint. 2-3 coats should be enough.
Please, use sandpaper for the final coat to get the smooth, professional finish.
What paint should you use for pine furniture?
For the best results, for the top coat, you should use water-based acrylic, oil-based, or enamel paint.
We recommend Rust-Oleum 331052 Milk Paint Finish.
Rust-Oleum 331052 Milk Paint Finish
Rust-Oleum 331052 Milk Paint Finish is a water-based low VOC, low odor paint that can be used to accent details on interior dé and furniture. The paint features a unique brushed effect and can be layered with different techniques for a custom look. The paint covers up to 125 sq. ft. per quart and dries to the touch in 30 minutes. It is ready for recoat in 2 hours.
My Personal experience using Rust-Oleum Paint Finish
Used Rust-Oleum to give my pine furniture a unique brushed effect and custom look. It was very easy to work with and had excellent coverage. After three coats, I achieved the look I wanted, and it dried quickly.
But also I should notice that the color doesn’t quite match what it looks like online or in the paint jar, making it difficult to get a consistent look. It can take multiple coats to get enough coverage, which takes more time and makes the job less efficient (of course, if do not made preparation like sanding and primering).
Note. The finish is not resistant to anything staining or sticking to it, so water-based sealers must be applied for protection. For instance, if something were to land on the dresser before sealing, it could leave a permanent smudge that cannot be easily removed. Even with the top coat, users should be careful with liquids as they may still penetrate and cause discoloration or staining without sealer.
Pros
- Low VOC, low odor paint
- Unique brushed effect
- Can be layered for a custom look
- Covers up to 125 sq. ft. per quart
- Get creative and experiment with different techniques for an endless variety of looks.
Cons
- Color doesn’t quite match what it looks like online
- Requires 2-3 coats for the best result
- Use Water-based sealerfor better resistance
Well, it was easy to clean up and had low VOC, low odor. I am very happy with the results and would highly recommend this paint for painting pine furniture.
In conclusion
Following these tips will help you achieve a professional-looking finish when painting your pine furniture. Make sure that you use the right type of paint and give it enough coats to get the coverage you are looking for. The Rust-Oleum Finish is a great choice and provides excellent adhesion, durability and custom look. With these tips, your pine furniture will look great for years to come! Happy painting!
