How to Paint a Baby Crib

Be sure to purchase high quality lead-free enamel paint for painting your crib.

Are you or someone you know expecting a new baby? Do you have a crib you used for your 3-year-old, and you'd like to use it again, but it's really showing some signs of wear and tear? You can paint a baby crib and make it look brand new. A little bit of elbow grease and a very few items from your local hardware or home and garden store will have the crib fixed up in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver Sand paper (fine gauge) Paint Paintbrush Tarp

Instructions

1. Disassemble the crib using a screwdriver. Label all pieces of hardware by groups and store in zippered plastic bags. For example, all piece that go with the spring and foot release should be stored together and marked as such. All of the screws that hold the footboard to the rails should be stored together and marked appropriately. Taking the extra time to do this as you disassemble the crib will make the job of reassembling it much easier.

2. Sand each wooden piece of the crib with fine gauge sand paper.

3. Brush off the dust using a clean paint brush.

4. Be sure that the paint you have chosen is high quality lead-free household enamel paint. This is the safest kind of paint to use on anything that an infant or small child will come into contact with, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

5. 

   Paint each piece of the crib, and lean each one on the tarp to dry. If a second coat is needed be certain to allow the first coat to dry for at least 2 to 3 hours before applying.
   If you're feeling crafty, you can paint a scene or nursery motif on one or both end pieces of the crib. Some people like to paint the slats in the crib a series of colors.

6. Reassemble the crib per the manufacturer's instructions once the paint is completely dry. It is best to wait a couple of days if the weather has been the least bit humid, as reassembling may cause marring of paint that is still a bit tacky.

Tips & Warnings

• The Consumer Product Safety Commission discourages the use of used cribs unless they meet their guidelines for safety standards.

Resources

• Childbirth Solutions
• Consumer Product Safety Commission