Painting a desk can be fun and rewarding if you want to fix up your childhood desk or put together a home office.Just a few steps away is your freshly painted desk.
Step 1: The desk and drawers need to be cleaned.
The paint on the desk will chip if you don't clean it.The drawers should be removed so that they can be cleaned and painted separately.Murphy's Oil Soap is great for this step.
Step 2: The hardware needs to be removed.
Remove metal handles and doorknobs after you have detailed the desk.There is no chance of damaging them during sanding.
Step 3: Sand the desk.
If you plan to sand in between layers of paint, you'll want to grab some fine grit sandpaper as well.If the desk is dull, there is no need to sand it.
Step 4: The sander should be pressed gently back and forth.
The sander has enough power to glide over the surface, so there is no need to worry.
Step 5: The desk should be wiped down using paper towels.
It could lead to a rough paint job if the dust is still on the desk after sanding.Before applying primer, wipe the sawdust off.
Step 6: A primer is what you should choose.
There are three types of primer.The kind of primer you choose should be based on the material of your desk.If your desk is made of wood that bleeds tannins, such as cedar, you should use an oil-based primer.If you are painting pine, brick, or concrete, use a latex-based primer.You can use a primer to deal with water, tannin, or smoke stains.
Step 7: Put primer on the desk.
You can purchase spray cans of primer for added convenience, but many people use a roller brush to paint the primer.You should only need one coat of primer if the wood is damaged or unfinished.You should coat the wood with two coats if it has stains or never been primed.
Step 8: Sand the desk
It's a good idea to lightly sand the desk.A light sand between primer and paint will help your desk look professional.The desk needs to be wiped down after the second sand.If you want the best results, use tack cloth.
Step 9: Wait a week before painting.
Primer is the most effective when it has 7 days to seal and you have all the tools ready to go.
Step 10: The interior latex paint has a glossy finish.
The paint will be hard to clean if it has a flat finish.It is easy to wash paint that has a glossy finish.
Step 11: You can choose an application tool.
You can either use a roller and paintbrush or a paint sprayer.If you are working on a budget, the roller and paintbrush are great.It is convenient to use the paint sprayer.
Step 12: Paint the desk.
The crevices should be painted first with the paintbrush.The foam roller should be used on the flat surfaces of the desk.The foam roller will help you save time.
Step 13: The paint sprayer is used to practice.
Practice painting a piece of cardboard before you use the paint sprayer.This will help you figure out how far you should stand from your target and how strong the paint sprayer is.
Step 14: It's best to spray in straight strokes.
Before you turn the sprayer on, start making the strokes.Keep your strokes the same once the sprayer is on.You should cover 2 feet per second.You should be between 10 and 25 inches from the target.The harder it is to keep the paint even, the closer you are to the desk.The nozzle of the paint sprayer should be parallel to the surface you are painting.If you fire the gun, it will cause the paint to vary in color.Paint with thin coats.The coat is more prone to a rough finish if it is thicker.Most desks will need 1-2 coats of paint.If you want to achieve an antique look, rub the painted edges with a bit of sandpaper.
Step 15: Sand between coats.
To get a smooth finish, you should lightly sand between each coat of paint.
Step 16: Let the paint cure or dry.
The desk should be dry after the last coat of paint.The furniture cure process, which will naturally protect the coat of paint, takes 30 days to complete.The process will not work if the desk is not completely dry for 30 days.
Step 17: The desk should be sealed with a protectant.
You can either paint a water-based top coat or polyurethane on your desk.If the desk is painted white or pale, it is a good idea to avoid polyurethane.
Step 18: It's time to put on the finishing touches.
It's time to screw the metal handles back in after you've let the protectant dry.The drawers can also be lined with colorful paper.