Can You Refinish Particle Board Furniture

Particle board furniture has become popular for its affordable price and versatility. If you have a piece made with particle board, you might want to update it with a new look. But can you refinish particle board furniture? Before jumping into the process, let’s see first if it’s possible!

Let’s find out if you can do these refinishing furniture techniques on particle board furniture. You don’t want to get yourself into a project that won’t give you the results you want. Keep reading to learn more!

Particle board has become common in furniture, especially because of its low cost and lightweight properties. You can find it in various types of furniture, from shelves and cabinets to tables and chairs.

This material is made to look like real wood, but you will know it is not when you see it. It’ll look more uniform and have a smoother texture than solid wood. Again, it’s lighter, making it easier to move around.

But as with any type of furniture, particle board pieces can also get worn out or outdated. And if you’re someone who loves to DIY and give a new touch to old stuff, you might be wondering if refinishing particle board furniture is possible.

Can particle board furniture be refinished?

Well, the short answer is no. Unfortunately, you cannot refinish particle board furniture. This is because unlike solid wood, which has a natural grain and texture that you can sand down and restain, particle board just doesn’t have that same quality.

This means that if you try to sand down the particle board, you will likely just end up damaging the piece. And if you attempt to stain it, the finish will not adhere properly and may end up looking unsightly.

But there is a silver lining – if your particle board furniture has wood veneer on the outside, you may refinish it! Wood veneer is a thin layer of real wood that is glued onto the surface of the particle board.

So with the veneer giving the appearance and texture of real wood, you can treat it like you would any other wood furniture. You can sand it down, restain it, and even add a protective finish to give it a new look. Here’s a more detailed guide on how to refinish veneer.

But when refinishing, you should still be careful not to sand too aggressively – we mentioned above veneer is thin, and you don’t want to sand all the way through it and reach the particle board underneath. If you’ve sanded through veneer to particle board, check out our post to see what you can do to save your piece.

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Painting Particle Board Furniture Instead

If you really want to give your particle board furniture a refresh, why not paint it instead? You can use any color or even choose one that makes it look like the stained wood you’re going for. So even if you can’t stain particle board furniture, painting it is definitely a great alternative!

How to Refinish Particle Board Furniture with Paint

Start by cleaning the furniture thoroughly. You want to make sure there’s no dirt, dust, or debris on the surface that could affect the paint’s adhesion. Once you’ve cleaned it, let the furniture dry completely.

Now you need to do some light sanding with fine grit sandpaper on the particle board furniture. This step also helps the paint to stick well and provides a smooth finish. Remember to be gentle because particle board is prone to damage. If you want to skip the sanding process altogether, here’s how to paint particle board furniture without sanding.

There may be some imperfections on your particle board – you should fix them first before painting. Follow our guide on how to repair damaged particle board furniture to tackle these scratches, dents, or holes.

Next, it’s important to prime the particle board furniture with an oil based or shellac primer. You can’t use a water based primer because water causes particle board to expand. Priming will also help the paint to adhere better and create a more durable finish.

You can use any paint, whether oil based or water based, as long as you primed the furniture correctly with oil based primer. Check out your options for the best paint for furniture here! And we have a guide on how to paint particle board furniture for more detailed tips and tricks!

How to Refinish Particle Board Furniture with Gel Stain

You can also use a gel stain to give your particle board furniture a stained look! Gel stains are easy to use and can provide a beautiful finish, not to mention their thick consistency can help hide any flaws. Do the usual prep work from cleaning and sanding before applying the gel stain.

Apply the gel stain evenly over the particle board furniture – work in small sections and follow the direction of the grain for a more natural look. You can build up coats depending on how dark you want the stain to be, but 2 to 3 coats should be enough for good coverage.

How do you make particle board more durable?

Making particle board furniture more durable is definitely possible, even though it cannot be refinished like solid wood. One of the best ways to increase its lifespan is by adding a protective finish.

Especially after painting or staining the piece, adding a topcoat will help protect it from scratches and daily wear and tear. Here’s more on sealing painted furniture, including how to choose a sealant for your painted particle board piece.

Keeping the furniture in a dry environment can also help prevent warping and damage. Humidity and moisture can weaken particle board, so try not to put it in places where it might get damp. If you spill anything, clean it up right away to avoid water damage.

So can you refinish particle board furniture? You can’t, but you can always use paint or gel stain to give it an update. Keep in mind that it’s important to handle particle board furniture with care, and be sure to add a protective finish for durability.

More Refinishing Furniture Tips

• How to Refinish Wood Furniture
• Steps To Refinishing Furniture
• How to Refinish an Antique Parlor Table
• Can You Refinish Particle Board Furniture
• How to Refinish a Cedar Chest

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