How to Paint on Furniture with Veneer

Sand the veneer to promote adhesion.

Veneered furniture is ideal for people on a budget because it is composed of relatively inexpensive particle board coated with a wood or vinyl veneer. Because wood and vinyl veneer is ill-suited for painting, you must abrade the surface prior to application or the finish will ultimately flake and peel. In addition, you must apply a base coat of primer to the abraded veneer to promote a durable, long-lasting finish.

Things You'll Need

• 220-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloth
• Professional painter's tape
• Acrylic latex primer
• 2- to 4-inch latex paintbrush
• Acrylic latex paint
• Gloss acrylic latex paint

Instructions

1. Promote adhesion by abrading the veneered furniture with sandpaper. Scour the furniture until it feels slightly coarse.

2. Wipe down the veneered furniture with a tack cloth.

3. Move the furniture to a ventilated area and place it on a fabric drop cloth.

4. Coat the sanded veneered furniture with an acrylic latex primer using a paintbrush manufactured for use with water-based coatings. Wait 2 hours for the primed veneer to dry.

5. Wash the brush with water.

6. Coat the primed veneered furniture with an acrylic latex paint using the clean paintbrush. Wait 2 hours for the painted veneer to dry. Add another coat if the primer bleeds through.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not over-sand or you may strip off the veneer. Sand only until the veneer feels slightly rough.

• Never prime unsanded veneered furniture or the finish will fail.

• Never paint bare veneered furniture or the paint will peel.

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know