| Even the designers on TV are doing it; | | | | with a dusting cloth can do the job. Most |
| finding great furnishing at flea-markets, | | | | importantly, dont rush your prep work. |
| charity shops, and yard sales. Often, a | | | | |
| wonderful piece of furniture can be had for | | | | 4. Taping: Carefully tape off any areas you |
| mere dollars, especially if its finish is in | | | | dont want painted, and burnish the tape edges |
| desperate need of some TLC. Unfortunately, | | | | down once, firmly, with a fingernail. If you |
| the design shows on TV dont show you all the | | | | think you might have to leave the tape on for |
| proper steps for refreshing your finds. Take | | | | more than a day or so, use a lower adhesion |
| the time to do it right, and your new | | | | tape made for delicate surfaces. |
| furniture will have friends wondering where | | | | |
| you shop! | | | | 5. Priming: If the piece is unpainted, |
| | | | consider a coat of primer before you paint. |
| 1. Safety first: Before you disturb any | | | | There are excellent primers specifically made |
| painted surface, you should think about the | | | | for stone and metal. Tell your paint store |
| possibility of lead. Lead paint additives | | | | rep what youre painting and follow her |
| were phased out in the 1970s and 80s. If you | | | | advice. Use a good latex or oil-based primer |
| suspect lead is present in any paint, you can | | | | for wood surfaces. Some wood grains (pine or |
| find information about safety precautions and | | | | cheaper grades of oak, for example) may rise |
| testing at epa, or by calling the National | | | | after a first coat of latex, and priming |
| Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. | | | | improves the chances that you can avoid this. |
| Even with newer surfaces, I find that a dust | | | | The raised grain will feel rough. If this |
| mask is always in order when sanding. Your | | | | happens, youll need to sand the grain down |
| lungs will thank you. | | | | lightly and prime again. Dont worry; its not |
| | | | as bad as it sounds when you know what |
| 2. Sanding: Not all pieces will require | | | | happened! |
| sanding before repainting. My mantra is to | | | | |
| leave well enough alone when dealing with old | | | | 6. Painting: Finally, time to paint! Use a |
| paint surfaces. If, however, the paint is | | | | good quality paint brush. Be careful not to |
| chipped, peeling, crackling, or has other | | | | overload your brush with paint and put it on |
| problems, you might not be able to avoid the | | | | too thickly. This is a common mistake. |
| sandpaper. A small electric hand sander is my | | | | Painting in thick layers can lead to ugly |
| best friend for these situations. A very | | | | drips, cracks, or drying delays. Instead, |
| light sanding (really just scuffing) can help | | | | paint in thin coats, allowing time for each |
| your new paint adhere to old oil paint or a | | | | coat to dry completely before recoating. This |
| glossy surface. | | | | will give you a beautiful and strong surface. |
| | | | |
| 3. Prep, prep, prep: The number one reason | | | | 7. Curing: Follow the instructions on your |
| for paint failures is incorrect preparation. | | | | paint can to make sure your new furniture is |
| Time spent on prep will ensure you get a good | | | | safely cured before you begin to use it or |
| result in the end. Make sure the surface is | | | | place objects on top of it. Paints, latex in |
| completely clean and dust free before you | | | | particular, can feel dry well before they |
| ever get the paint out of the can. If you | | | | really are. When in doubt, I like to wait |
| have sanded the surface, remove dust with a | | | | 24-48 hours before I place my newly painted |
| tack cloth. This is a small piece of | | | | flea-market beauties into service. |
| cheesecloth soaked in wax, available at your | | | | |
| local home improvement store in the paint | | | | Now, enjoy your new furnishings. Use them |
| section. They cost around one dollar get | | | | well and never fear; if they get chipped or |
| several to keep on hand for the next project! | | | | you tire of the color, you know how to fix |
| If you cant find one, several thorough passes | | | | it! |
| with a damp cloth followed by another pass | | | | |