How to Paint Your Own Bookends

Bookends keep your books upright.

An old set of wooden bookends makes a nice addition to your shelf, but you may wish to strip the original paint and give your bookends a touch of color. Painting bookends is the same as painting any other wood surface, though a bit easier since you are dealing with a much smaller object than a chair or kitchen table. All you need to paint your own bookends are the right supplies, a bit of spare time and the determination to see the project through to the end.

Things You'll Need

• 100-grit sandpaper
• 150-grit sandpaper
• Orbital sander
• Painter’s putty
• Spray primer
• Trash bag or tarp
• Latex paint
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Sand the bookends thoroughly with 100-grit sandpaper to remove old stain, primer and paint. Sanding by hand is the easiest method of dealing with something as small as a bookend, though you can use an orbital sander on larger surfaces if desired.

2. Seal any cracks or dings in the bookends with a dab of painter’s putty. When dry, sand the putty to smooth it out.

3. Run over the surface of the bookends with 150-grit sandpaper to create a smooth, even surface on which to paint.

4. Place the bookends on a piece of tarp or a trash bag. Spray the bookends with spray primer. Try to create a thin, even coat over the entire surface. Leave the primer to dry, and then repeat until you have at least three thin coats in place.

5. Apply latex, water-based paint with a clean paintbrush. Try to add the thinnest coat you can and let it dry. Continue adding thin, even coats until you reach the desired color. Several light coats of paint create a more even finish that stands up better to dings and scratches.

References

• The Frugal Girl: How to Paint Wooden Furniture
• Centsational Girl: Two Tone Treasure + How to Paint Furniture; April 26, 2011