How to Paint Antique Wood

An antique wood dresser ready to be painted.

In thrift shops and homes across the country there are many pieces of antique wood furniture. While some antique furniture can be kept in its original state (such as a well-cared-for dresser), other pieces of antique wood can be painted and given new life. If you have a piece of furniture made of antique wood, there are a few things you should know about how to paint antique wood furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Mask
• Gloves
• Hand sander
• Sandpaper in varying grits
• Tack cloth
• Painting primer
• Paintbrush
• Latex paint

Instructions

1. Lay a drop cloth in your work area and make sure the space is well-ventilated. Wear a mask and gloves while sanding and painting.

2. Sand the varnish on the antique wood until it is no longer glossy. Many antique wood pieces will have a lot of nicks and dents in the wood. Smooth these bumps out by sanding. Use a lower number of grit sandpaper when first beginning and then work up to a finer-grit sandpaper. Dust off the piece with a tack cloth.

3. Apply a primer with a paintbrush. Depending on the color you are painting the antique wood, you may want to use a tinted primer. Allow the primer to dry completely.

4. Apply latex paint to the wood with a paintbrush in a thin layer. Once the thin layer of paint has dried, repeat the process. If you have used several thin coats of paint, you should be able to see the grain of the antique wood show through the paint. Allow the paint several days to dry before use.

References

• The Frugal Girl: How to Paint Wood Furniture