How to Spray Paint Furniture

Prep Surface

1. Thoroughly Clean Furniture

   Place your furniture piece on a drop cloth in a well-ventilated area. Before you begin painting, thoroughly clean the piece. Start by removing dust and dirt with a vacuum or brush, then wipe clean with a damp rag and degreasing soap and rinse. Once dry, use a lint-free cloth to remove any remaining dust and debris. If your piece has lots of details, such as a chair with spindles, pay special attention, as these areas tend to collect grime.
   

2. Repair Any Damage

   Inspect the piece for any imperfections. Any splintering or loose paint should be sanded smooth and any dents or dings can be filled with quick-drying wood filler. Once dry, sand any filled spots smooth and remove all dust and debris. If the furniture has metal components, use a wire brush and sandpaper to remove all rust and loose paint. Damaged metal parts can be repaired with an appropriated metal repair filler.
   

3. Mask With Painter's Tape

   Protect any areas that you don't wish to paint using painter's tape.
   

Prime Surface If Needed

Primer helps the spray paint evenly adhere to the furniture, resulting in a long-lasting, better-looking finish. While certain spray paints claim to have a built-in primer, specific surfaces like raw wood, painted wood, particleboard, and metal should always be primed with an appropriately rated primer.

1. Prep Spray Can

   Carefully read the instructions on the label of your primer before using it. Shake the primer until the can rattles, then proceed for around one full minute to properly mix. Test the nozzle in the air to ensure there are no clogs before painting.
   

2. Prime the Surface

   The best spray painting method is to paint in straight, steady lines and hold the can nearly one foot from the surface. On each pass, slightly overlap the previous pass. Never focus on one place for more than an instant and revisit missed spots on the next coat. Occasionally shake the can as you paint to keep paint mixed.

   Tip

   To avoid harsh stop and start lines, start and stop each pass off of the object you are painting.

   Once the entire surface has a light coat, allow the coat to dry according to the can's specific recoat time before recoating. Once the entire surface is adequately coated, allow the primer to dry for the full dry time before painting.
   

   Warning

   Factors such as heat and humidity can drastically affect spray paint. Always carefully read the instructions on your paint's labels to properly factor in these elements.

Paint Surface

1. Prep Surface for Painting

   Once the primer has fully dried, wipe down the surface once more with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust and debris. Some primers recommend light sanding before painting; read the label to determine if this is necessary.
   

2. Paint Surface

   Spray paint the surface following the same method as the primer, applying light coats and allowing proper dry time before recoating. Once you've achieved a uniform, full coating, allow the paint to fully dry for the specified dry time.
   

   Tip

   Runs and wrinkled paint can ruin the look of your furniture. If you see runs, wipe them away while they are still wet, then wipe the can to ensure there is no clogging. For runs and wrinkles that are dry, wait until they are fully dry, sand smooth, and recoat.

3. Paint Detailed Areas

   Furniture with detailed areas like spindles, trim, arms, and legs can be a little trickier to spray paint. Rather than attempting to fill every detail on each pass, it's often easier to go back and pass over missed spots when you recoat and at the end.