How to Refinish a Particle Board

Bookshelves are often made of particle board.

Particle board is simply bits of wood that are fused together into a sheet. Particle board is used for shelving and other types of furniture. It typically has a plastic veneer sheet over the top of it designed to simulate the look of real wood. Refinishing this material in the traditional sense is not possible. Because you can't sand off the original finish and apply a stain, your only real option with particle board is to paint. You can get excellent results from painting particle board.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Roller
• Paintbrush
• Paint
• Polyurethane

Instructions

1. Clean the particle board. If you are working with something that has a veneer sheet attached, use an ammonia based cleaner to clean the veneer. Do not use anything with moisture on bare particle board because the board will soak up the moisture. Dry dust the particle board with a clean cloth.

2. Sand the particle board. How much you sand the boards depends on the finish that is currently on the particle board. Remove all shine from the original finish. An item with veneer attached or something that has been painted and coated with polyurethane will need more sanding than bare particle board. Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove all of the shine from the board and create some texture for the primer. Do not sand so much that you damage the board. Wipe away sanding dust.

3. Prime the board. Apply the primer using a trim brush to cut in the corners and detail work. Follow along with a roller to smooth the brushed edges and paint the rest of the particle board. Choose a primer that bonds well to most surfaces. Kilz and Glidden Gripper are good choices. Apply 1 to 2 coats of primer, allowing each coat to dry completely.

4. Paint the particle board. Use the same methods used to apply the primer. Apply 2 to 3 thin coats of paint. Multiple thin coats of paint will be more durable over time than one thick coat. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

5. Apply a coat of polyurethane. Polyurethane will further protect the particle board from scratches, chips and water damage. You can choose polyurethane in matte, satin or gloss finishes. All three finished provide similar protection. Choose the finish that has the appearance you like best. Apply 1 to 2 coats of polyurethane. Let the particle board cure for 3 to 5 days before heavy use.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are working with bare particle board, consider using an enamel paint. Enamel gives a hard, smooth finish and will completely cover the board, making it look more like a solid piece. Keep in mind that enamel has an extremely glossy finish, which may not be the look you are trying to achieve. Apply enamel paint to a sample of particle board before painting the entire project.

References

• Ranch Remodels: Paint Veneer
• MSU: Particle Board