How to Paint Wood Like a Pro

How to Paint Wood

1. Prepare the Work Area

   A plastic sheet keeps paint from soaking through to the floor, while canvas provides a non-slip surface and contains paint spills.

   • Drape plastic sheeting over the floor or other work surfaces to protect it from paint spills.
   • Lay a canvas drop cloth or contractor's paper over the plastic sheeting.
     

2. Clean the Wood Surfaces

   • Make a solution of mild soap mixed with warm water. Use a stronger cleaner like TSP with warm water if you have stubborn dirt and grease. If using TSP, wear eye protection and rubber gloves.
   • 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.
   • After the wood is dry, check the piece for large nicks, gouges, and scratches. If necessary, fill them with wood filler using a flexible putty knife.

3. Sand the Surfaces

   Put on a dust mask, respirator, and hearing protection.

   • Flat surfaces: Use an orbital sander and 180-grit sandpaper. Attach the paper to the orbital sander. Lightly sand by smoothing the surface and providing some "tooth" or slight scratches to help the paint bond. Do not try to strip the wood of all coatings and stains.
   • Corners, edges, and fine details: If you sand furniture with uneven surfaces, switch to hand-sanding so the sandpaper can better conform to the piece's shape. Fold the sandpaper and bend it over an edge. On the edges, do not sand too hard; only maintain light pressure.
   • Clean off the dust: Use a shop vacuum outfitted with a brush attachment. For a professional-quality touch, remove the dust with a tack cloth or a lightly damp, lint-free, or microfiber towel.

4. Apply Primer

   • 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 (flat surfaces) or brush.
   • Check 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.

5. Sand and Clean the Primer

   • Once the primer dries completely, sand it down before painting. Use fine 220-grit sandpaper and apply light pressure to prevent the primer from gouging.
   • Remove the primer dust with a quick brush from the shop vacuum, followed by a light swipe of the tack cloth.

6. Paint the Wood With a Brush or Roller

   • Using a paintbrush (for corners, edges, fine details): Dip only 1/3 of the bristles into the paint. Drag the brush in short strokes, running parallel to the wood grain, keeping a wet edge at all times to prevent lap marks. Allow it to dry completely.
   • Using a roller (for flat surfaces): Insert a paint tray liner in the tray and fill it less than halfway with paint. Gently dab the roller into the paint, rolling the paint up and down in the tray to distribute the paint on the roller pad. Roll the paint onto the wood with light pressure.

   Tip

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

7. Apply Second Coat

   Once the paint is fully dry, you can paint a second, smoother coat. Sand the first paint coat by smoothing down bumps and inconsistencies.

   • Sand gently by hand using 220-grit sandpaper, or attach the paper to the orbital sander and run it extremely lightly across the surface. Do not apply pressure.
   • Use a tack cloth or microfiber cloth to remove the dust. Lightly run it across the surface.
   • Apply a final coat of paint using a brush 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:

• Apply a sealant: A top coat or sealant finishes the paint job, protecting it from scratches and scuffs and helping the paint last longer. Choose from polyurethane, polyacrylic, or a wax finish.
  
• 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 use a brush and a paint roller simultaneously. Brushing after rolling to eliminate lines and drips is a professional technique known as back-brushing.
• Use a foam roller: Use a high-density foam roller for smooth surfaces. Foam paint rollers have no nap, so they roll out paint more smoothly than conventional polyester paint roller covers.
• Remember to use a primer. Primers are formulated to bond to problem surfaces and give the paint a consistent surface for a smoother finish. Primer also helps prevent flashing, a condition in which areas of the final paint job look as if they were painted with different paint glosses.
• Choose a good primer: Use a high-quality brand like Kilz or Zinsser.
• Stay ahead of paint-drag: If you paint for too long, paint can get tacky and create brush marks. Avoid this 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. Drying time will accelerate and lead to tacky paint. Conversely, you'll want to increase the airflow to expedite drying time after you are done.