Repainting Antique Furniture – A Handy Guide
Guide to repainting your antique furniture
If you feel its time to paint your antique furniture, then go for it.
Repainting an antique Gustavian chest of drawers or Biedermeier cabinet can totally transform it int0 something you that is just so you.
Your Style. Your Vision. Your Look.
So first off, you need a simple step-by-step guide to help you do it right.
Just choose your vibe – Rustic farmhouse, Classic Scandinavian or something sleeker and much more funky and modern.
Here’s what you might need for your painting adventure:
Drop cloth/newspapers
Sandpaper (120–220 grit)
Degreaser or mild soap
Screwdriver (for removing hardware)
Wood filler for those pesky scratches and dings of age
Primer
Paint of your choice depending on what look you want – chalk, mineral, matt, satin or gloss paint
Brushes or foam rollers
finishing wax or acrylic lacquer to make an antique scumble potion.
Check the Value First
Be aware that if its a truly special antique piece with history and provenance, then painting it may decrease its value.
But unless its a collector’s piece I wouldn’t worry too much – if you like then thats all that matters.
Prepare your Piece for painting
Remove all hardware such as knobs, handles or hinges and mask off any original paint you want to keep
Degrease the surface you want to paint with a mild de-greaser to get rid of oils and accumulated grime
Fill or glue any holes, breaks or cracks that annoy you or are structurally problematic
Let your piece dry completely before you continue
Sand the Surfaces
Light sanding or keying of the surface helps the paint that you use to grip better
Make sure you use coarser 120-220 grit sandpaper
Then wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth or damp rag
Primer
Use a good quality primer to create a solid base layer and possibly a stain block if it’s a dark wood, heavily stained or knotty knots
Paint
Chalk paint is great for a proper antique feel or a dead flat paint
Use thin and even coats to get a smooth finish and you can always alternate colours to create a layered patina
Distressing
Use sandpaper to gently scuff edges and corners for a worn look making sure you only sand where real wear and tear would occur so it looks natural s on Biedermeier.
Seal It
- Use finishing wax or create an acrylic lacquer scumble with ash from tthe fire or some brown or grey pigment to simulate the ‘dirt of ages’
If you want a professional finish – we offer a full repainting and restoration service for our clients
