Painting Furniture With High Gloss Paint
If you want a chic, glossy upgrade for your piece, painting furniture with high gloss paint is the easiest way to do it. In this makeover, I’ll guide you through the prep, painting, and finishing touches to help you nail down that shiny, polished look!
For even more ways to transform your furniture, check out our painting furniture ideas here, filled with creative, budget friendly projects. Now, let’s learn how to paint with high gloss paint!
We grabbed this antique little sofa table thing with drawers for really cheap and completely updated it. This was one of my very first makeovers, and I really wanted to try high gloss paint as well.
A glossy finish is a great way to add a modern and elegant touch to any piece. It looks clean, sleek, and professional, and can really make a statement in any room. You can find high gloss paint in a ton of colors, too, so you can easily pick the perfect shade to match your decor.
However, it can be tricky to work with if you don’t know what to expect. But don’t worry, I will walk you through how to use high gloss paint and share some tips and tricks to create a long lasting finish. Let’s get started!
Supplies Used for Painting Furniture With High Gloss Paint
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- Electric Screwdriver
- Krud Kutter
- Damp Rag
- Rustoleum High Gloss Paint in Yellow
- Zibra Round Brush Or Cheap Brush
- Rustoleum Rubbed Bronze Metallic Spray Paint
- Mineral Spirits
Prep the Furniture
So, I first removed the hardware with our electric screwdriver. I just removed the screws from the back and the inside of the drawers, then set them aside.
Then I cleaned the table really well with Krud Kutter and a damp rag. Cleaning it not only helps the new paint stick, but it also removes the grease, grime, and gross stuff from all the years this furniture has been used, so I don’t skip this step.
Check out our more detailed guides on how to clean furniture before painting here and how to prepare furniture for painting here!
Painting Furniture With High Gloss Paint
After it was dry, I used Rustoleum high gloss paint in the color yellow, which I got from Home Depot. I really wanted to try high gloss paint, and this is the easiest to use out there. It comes pre mixed and also comes in a few different colors.
I just brushed this paint on with, honestly, a very cheap brush. I would recommend a Zibra round brush, but since this is oil based paint, you’re gonna have to clean out the paintbrush really well or just dispose of it afterwards.
This oil based formula levels out very, very well, but this type of paint also takes a long time to dry. It takes about 24 hours before you can apply another coat.
But the coverage is excellent. Usually, yellow takes a lot of coats, but it only took me 2 or 3 coats for this piece. Of course, I watched for drips and runs as I painted and let it dry between coats. Get more tips on how to paint furniture high gloss in this other makeover I did!
Paint Old Hardware
And then after the sofa table was painted all the way, I painted the old hardware with some Rustoleum Rubbed Bronze metallic spray paint. You can check out our blog post on how to spray paint drawer pulls for more instructions on painting hardware.
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And then I reattached the old hardware, and here is what it looks like now. It’s a funky, unique end table that is very vibrant and fun now! Check out more yellow painted furniture here and high gloss painted furniture here for inspiration.
If I were to do this makeover again, I would change the hardware and maybe put some glass knobs on the drawers instead of the heavy, dark hardware. Here’s my tutorial on how to change hardware on a dresser and other pieces of furniture.
More Before and After Makeovers
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Click any of these “before” photos below to view the “after” of that makeover.
So you see, painting high gloss does not have to be really complicated. This oil based paint sticks very, very well, it’s really easy to use, and you don’t have all these extra steps. But since it’s oil based, it stinks, so it’s best you work outside in a ventilated area.
How to Clean Your Paint Brush
Clean up is also more difficult. You’ll need to use mineral spirits to clean your brush, or you can just throw it away.
I start by pouring about an inch or two of mineral spirits into a disposable plastic container. Then, I stir the brush around and press it against the bottom of the container to get most of the paint off.
After that, I dispose of the dirty mineral spirits and put another clean batch in the container. This time, I fill it up to just below the bristle line on the brush, then I soak the brush for a few hours so the paint deep inside can work its way out.
After soaking, I rinse it in warm, soapy water to remove any leftover residue. Finally, I lay the brush flat to dry, and it’s ready for next time! Learn how to clean paint brushes in detail here, including for waterbased paints.
High Gloss Paint vs Matte and Satin Finishes
The kind of paint finish can make all the difference in a DIY project. High gloss paint gives you that super shiny, modern look. However, I always make sure the surface is prepped perfectly because it shows every little flaw.
Matte finishes give a soft look, but are less durable and can be challenging to clean. Satin is right in the middle and gives just a hint of shine. It’s easy to maintain, stylish, and perfect when you want a subtle glow. Find the best satin finish furniture paint options here.
Think about the look and feel you want! For something dramatic and crisp, go with high gloss. Choose matte if you want a cozy finish, and if you’re looking for something in between, satin is the way to go.
Painting Furniture With High Gloss Paint
In this makeover, I’ll guide you through the prep, painting, and finishing touches to help you nail painting furniture with high gloss paint!
Materials
Instructions
- Remove the hardware from your furniture using an electric screwdriver. This keeps the new finish neat and the hardware free from paint.
- Clean the furniture thoroughly with Krud Kutter and a damp rag. This step is super important because it helps the paint stick better and removes a ton of old grime.
- Use a cheap brush or a Zibra round brush to apply the high gloss paint in thin coats. Be patient because oil-based paint takes about 24 hours to fully dry between coats. Keep an eye out for drips and runs as you go.
- Spray paint the hardware with metallic spray paint. This gives it a fresh, updated look that matches the glossy finish on the furniture.
- Once everything is dry, reattach the hardware. This makes the piece feel complete and gives it that polished, professional finish.
- Clean your paintbrush with mineral spirits to remove all the oil based paint. Then rinse it in warm, soapy water and lay it flat to dry so it’s ready for your next project!
Recommended Products
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More Painting Furniture Tips
- How To Spray Paint Furniture For Beginners
- Painting Over Stained Wood
- How To Paint Metallic Furniture The Easy Way
- Can You Really Skip Sanding? Let’s Test It.
- How to Paint Furniture Indoors Without Making a Mess
Learn the Art of Updating Furniture!
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