How to Paint a White Crib Cherry Satin

A coat of cherry satin paint brightens any plain crib.

Painting baby cribs is a wonderful way to personalize hand-me-downs and customize your nursery. It's important to make sure that all of the crib hardware is intact and functioning properly, and that the crib meets basic safety standards, but once that is done you can paint a crib any color you like. Cherry satin paint is a richer and more creative choice than the more traditional pink, yet is still versatile enough to complement any decor. Painting a crib is a simple first step in creating a one-of-a-kind nursery for your baby.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Mild dish soap
• Water
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Dust mask
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Clean, lint-free shop cloths
• Sponge brush
• Cherry satin latex paint
• Optional:
• Metal primer
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Wet stripper

Instructions

1. Move the crib to a porch, garage or other area that is open to the air, if possible. Set it on top of a drop cloth to contain drips and spills.

2. 

   Start your project with a thorough cleaning.

   Wash the crib thoroughly with warm water and 3 or 4 healthy squirts of mild dish soap. Rinse the sponge frequently, and if the crib has spent a lot of time in storage, replace the water and soap at least once. Let the crib dry thoroughly.

3. Put on your dust mask. Use medium-grit sandpaper to gently rough up the surface of the crib. There are sandpapers made especially for sanding between coats of paint, but any medium-grit sandpaper will work.

4. Wipe down the entire crib with a dampened, lint-free shop cloth. Shop cloths are like paper towels, but thicker, stronger and a little less expensive. They can be found in home improvement stores.

5. Apply a coat of metal primer if you are painting a metal crib. Make sure you find a non-toxic primer that is formulated for metal and compatible with latex-based paint. Use a sponge brush if you haven't chosen a spray primer, because they work better to coat smaller, rounded surfaces like crib slats. Let the metal primer dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

6. 

   Sponge brushes work best on crib slats.

   Use a sponge brush to give the white crib a thin, even coat of latex-based cherry satin paint. Look for a low VOC (volatile organic compound) latex paint to ensure that it will not release toxic fumes. Many major paint brands offer low-VOC paint colors.

7. Let the first coat of cherry satin paint dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Don't skimp on the drying time or you could end up with a smudged and blotchy paint job.

8. Apply a second coat of cherry satin latex paint if the color is not as rich or as deep as you would like. Let the second coat dry for at least 24 hours before moving the crib into the nursery.

Tips & Warnings

• Sand the crib lightly with fine sandpaper between the first and second coats of paint for an extra sleek finish.

• Never paint a crib that is more than 50 years old without using a wet stripper to remove the old paint.

References

• Make Your Own Baby Stuff: The Crib Painting Project
• Organic Family Circle: When Inheriting a Family Heirloom Baby Crib

Resources

• What Where When Why?: Baby Furniture Safety Requirements