How to Paint Wood Like a Pro (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

How to Paint Wood

1. Clean the Wood Surfaces

   • Put on eye protection and rubber gloves.
   • Mix a solution of TSP with warm water to the proportions recommended by the manufacturer.
   • Dip a cloth in the water, firmly squeeze it dry, then wipe down the wood to remove all oils, dirt, and grime.
   • Rinse the surface with clean, warm water and a clean cloth. Let the wood dry completely.
   • Check the piece for large nicks, gouges, and scratches after the wood is dry. If necessary, fill them with a wood filler using a flexible putty knife.

   About TSP

   TSP is a strong cleaner, degreaser, and deglosser that has long been used for cleaning surfaces in preparation for painting. TSP is banned in some communities though it is still sold in many places as an additive product. Use a TSP substitute instead if you want to avoid using toxic phosphates.

   See Also

   What Is Primer Paint? When To Prime Walls, Wood, Or Metal | Improovy

   

2. Sand the Flat Areas

   • Put on a dust mask or respirator, as well as hearing protection.
   • Sand the flat, smooth areas of wood with a random orbital sander and 180-grit sandpaper. The intent is not to strip the wood of all of the coatings and stains but simply to smooth out the surface and provide some "tooth," or slight scratches, to help the paint bond.

   

3. Sand the Corners and Details

   If you are sanding furniture that has uneven surfaces, switch to hand-sanding so that the sandpaper can better conform to the shape of the piece. Fold the sandpaper and bend it over an edge. On the edges, it's easy to sand too hard and round off the edges, so maintain a light pressure.

   

4. Clean Off the Dust

   Thoroughly remove the sanding dust from all surfaces. Begin with a shop vacuum outfitted with a brush attachment. Do not use a blower, as this will only redistribute the dust back onto the surface. Make sure that the shop vacuum is fitted with a bag and a filter to minimize airborne dust.
   

   Tip

   Cleaning with a tack cloth is the professional-quality touch that helps you remove the last layer of dust. If you don't have a tack cloth, use a lightly damp lint-free or microfiber towel to remove the remainder of the dust.

   

5. Prime the Wood

   • Mix the primer well with the stirring stick.
   • Pour the primer into a paint tray or a smaller bucket.
   • Apply the primer with a paint roller or with a brush.
   • Check to see if the primer looks transparent or streaky on the wood after it dries. If so, prime a second time. Primer dries to the touch in 30 minutes and has a recoat wait time of about 1 hour.

   

6. Apply Primer With a Roller (optional)

   For flat surfaces, switch to the roller to speed up the process and provide a smoother finish.

   

7. Sand the Primer

   Let the primer dry completely., and then sand it down before painting. Use very fine 220-grit sandpaper, and apply light pressure to prevent gouging the primer.

   

8. Remove the Primer Dust

   Remove the primer dust with a quick brush from the shop vacuum, followed by a light swipe of the tack cloth.

9. Paint the Wood With a Brush or Roller

   Brush:

   • Dab the end of the paintbrush bristles only about 1/3 the length of the brush into the paint each time you load the brush.
   • Transfer the paint to the wood, dragging the brush in short strokes that run parallel to the wood grain. Keep a wet edge at all times to prevent lap marks. Do not add a second coat of paint during this step, as this can cause the paint to tear.

   Roller:

   • Insert the paint tray liner in the paint tray, then fill the tray less than halfway.
   • Gently dab the roller into the paint. Roll the paint up and down the slope of the tray a few times to distribute the paint on the roller pad.
   • Transfer the roller to the wood.
   • Roll the paint onto the wood, beginning with light pressure only.

   Tip

   High-density foam roller covers work better with thinner latex paint than with oil-based paints.

   

10. Sand the First Coat

    Give it a final sanding. You can usually achieve an even smoother coat if you opt to sand and paint one final time. Sanding the first paint coat brings down bumps and inconsistencies introduced by the roller or brush.

    • Use 220-grit sandpaper to sand gently by hand, or attach the paper to the orbital sander and run it extremely lightly across the surface. Do not apply pressure to the sander other than the weight of the sander itself.
    • After sanding, open up the tack cloth, bunch it up but keep it loose, then lightly run it across the surface. Too much pressure on the tack cloth will be counter-productive, as this will press the tack cloth's embedded wax onto the surface.

    

11. Apply a Second Coat of Paint

    • Apply a final coat of paint, using a brush and/or roller, as desired.
    • Let the paint dry as directed. If possible, let the piece dry overnight or longer before using it. Paint becomes more durable after it fully cures.

    

Tips for Painting Wood

High-quality results are easy to achieve if you follow a few professional tips:

• Use both a brush and a roller: Paintbrushes and rollers have complementary roles. Rollers cover large areas quickly but cannot reach into corners. Paintbrushes are good at painting corners and edges, but they take a long time when painting large areas.
• Back-brush for smoother painted surfaces: You can also use a brush and a paint roller at the same time. Brushing after rolling to eliminate lines and drips is a professional technique known as back-brushing.
• Use a foam roller: For smooth surfaces, use a high-density foam roller. Foam paint rollers have no nap, so they roll out paint more smoothly than conventional polyester paint roller covers.
• Do not forget to use a primer: Primers are formulated to bond to problem surfaces and to give the paint a consistent surface for a smoother finish. Primer also helps prevent flashing, a condition where areas of the final paint job look as if they were painted with different paint glosses.
• Choose a good primer: Use a high-qualityprimer brand, such as Kilz or Zinsser.
• Stay ahead of paint-drag: Paint can get tacky and create brush marks if you take too long while painting. Avoid this simply by picking up the pace and taking short breaks.
• Improve paint flow with additives: Use an additive that extends your working time. Penetrol and Floetrol are popular additives that help you create smooth brush strokes.
• Turn off the fans: Avoid painting underneath a fan or heating vent or in direct sunlight because drying time will accelerate and lead to tacky paint.Conversely, you'll want to increase the airflow after you are done to expedite drying time.