How to Paint Furniture to Look Like It's Stained

Sand unfinished furniture before painting or staining it.

If you have a set of unfinished furniture that you would like to give the look of staining, use a stain-finish paint. Paint on the stain finish much in the same way you would paint standard paint on a wall. Disassemble as much of the furniture as you can to prevent the stain from causing hinges or screws to seal.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Painter's tape
• Screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Mineral spirits
• Cloth
• Paint stick
• Paint tray
• Natural bristle brush
• Paint roller

Instructions

1. Lay a drop cloth across a firm, strong workspace or the ground.

2. Place the unfinished furniture on top of the drop cloth. Disassemble as much of the furniture as possible. For example, take legs off tables or chairs, de-tatch doors and cabinets, and remove hardware and hinges.

3. Sand any rough spots on the furniture. Wipe down the furniture with mineral spirits.

4. Open the paint stain with a screwdriver and mix it well with a paint stirrer. Pour the paint stain in a paint tray and dip a natural-bristle brush into the paint. If you have a vertical piece of furniture, dip a lint-free cloth into the paint and apply it across the grain. Wipe off excess with a new cloth by brushing in the direction of the grain. You should not let the stain dry before wiping it down, so apply the stain and wipe it away in sections.

References

• Google Books; "Black & Decker Complete Home Repair"; Creative Publishing International
• Rust-Oleum: Bookcase