How to Spray Paint Wood

You can paint wood in many different ways, but using spray paint is one of the quickest and easiest methods. But to maximize spray paint for furniture, you need to learn how to spray paint wood properly. It’s not just a mere case of pointing and spraying the paint – there are some important steps you need to follow.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of spray painting wood and provide some helpful tips along the way. You can surely get that professional finish with spray paint!

how to spray paint wood furniture

So why should you choose spray paint for your furniture? You can choose to use a brush or roller, and you can even go for a paint sprayer. But spray paint offers some unique features and benefits that can make it a great choice for furniture.

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First, convenience – with spray paint, you can easily cover large and intricate surfaces. You also won’t have to worry about brush strokes or roller marks, and the application is more uniform. Plus, it’s a lot faster compared to traditional painting methods.

Second, practicality – you won’t need other tools or equipment like paint trays, brushes, and rollers. With spray paint, all you need is the can itself. It’s a more budget friendly option compared to a paint sprayer, which can be quite an investment.

Spray paint doesn’t lack in versatility and durability as well. It works well on different types of wood, and it’s available in a wide range of colors and finishes, such as matte, gloss, and even metallic. And once it dries and cures properly, spray paint creates a strong and long lasting finish on your furniture.

How to Spray Paint Wood Furniture

Now it’s time to learn how to spray paint your wood furniture! Again, spray painting is not just about pointing and spraying. Keep reading for the step by step process and some helpful tips!

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Prepare Wood Furniture

Before anything else, you should prioritize preparing your wood furniture. Start with removing any hardware such as knobs or handles. We don’t want any paint to get on them. And you can take this as a chance to update and change the hardware.

removing hardware and cleaning furniture

Next, give your furniture a good cleaning. Remove any built up grease and grime with a degreaser like Krud Kutter. A clean slate will help the paint adhere better and guarantee a smoother finish. To guide you with this, here’s how to clean furniture before painting.

After cleaning, lightly sand your furniture with 220 grit sandpaper. This will rough up the surface and allow the paint to bond better. Don’t forget to vacuum and wipe away any dust or debris before moving on.

Now you’re ready for primer. You can choose between a spray can primer or clear shellac. We recommend a shellac based primer for better stain blocking, especially if you’re working with a piece that has wood knots or stains. Here’s priming wood for painting so you can learn more about why priming is important and how to apply your primer.

spraying clear shellac onto furniture

Spray Paint Your Wood Furniture

Once you’ve finished prepping your wood furniture, you can now proceed to spray painting! Make sure you’re in a well ventilated area or outside if possible. This will help you avoid inhaling too many fumes. Wearing gloves and a respirator mask is also a smart move for extra protection. If spray painting outdoor is not possible check out this guide on how to spray paint indoors!

There are a lot of high quality spray paint brands on the market, and you can decide which one is the best spray paint for wood furniture to use here. Get a few cans more so you won’t run out of paint in the middle of your project.

When spraying, hold the can around 6 inches from the surface and apply light coats of paint. This will help avoid drips or runs. If you do get some drips, we have ways how to fix spray paint drips here. Let each coat dry for under an hour before adding another. And if there are missed spots and you want to avoid it here’s how to prevent spots when spray painting!

using behr spray paint on furniture

After leaving your spray painted wood furniture to dry for about 72 hours, you can now use it! If you want an extra layer of protection or a different finish, you can topcoat with a spray on polycrylic like the Minwax Polycrylic Spray. It’s the best clear coat spray paint for wood – you can read all about the Minwax Polycrylic Spray here.

If you noticed, we used other spray products too, from primer to topcoat. You can easily spray them on along with spray paint and altogether, they make the spray painting process a lot faster and more efficient.

Is it better to spray paint or brush paint wood furniture?

If you’re torn between using spray paint or brushing paint for your wood furniture – both methods have their own pros and cons, so it depends on what you’re looking for. But let’s compare the two to help you decide.

Brush painting is a popular choice due to its affordability and simple process. It requires basic materials that are readily available and inexpensive, making it a budget friendly option as well. However, brush painting can be time consuming and may result in visible brush marks if not done properly.

using paint brush to paint furniture

Meanwhile, spray painting offers quick and even coverage. You don’t have to worry about brush strokes or marks, which can be hard to avoid with brushing. It may have a learning curve though, especially if you’re new to using a spray can.

And overspray can be messy and harmful, so you’ll need to prepare well and work in a well ventilated area. For a more detailed guide to prevent overspray, here’s how to prevent overspray when painting furniture.

using spray paint to paint furniture

In the end, it all comes down to your personal preference. If you’re more comfortable and have access to a brush, then go for brush painting. If you don’t want the brush strokes and are willing to invest in spray cans, then try out spray painting.

You can totally try both and decide from there! You can also check out our spray paint vs brush paint furniture post for a more detailed comparison.

So we’ve covered the basics of spray painting wood furniture, from its benefits to how to do it yourself. With proper preparation, the right products, and some practice, you’ll be a pro at transforming your wood furniture with a spray paint can!

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