How to Use All in One Paint

Among these many types of paint for furniture, you might have come across all in one paints. But what exactly is it and how can you use it? In this guide, we’ll show you how to use all in one paint to give your furniture a fresh new look.

We’ll share tips on how to prep your furniture, the best techniques for applying it, and other useful information. So keep reading for everything you need to know about using this all in one product!

All in one paint is how it sounds – it combines several functions into one product. It typically contains a primer, paint, and topcoat all in one can. It’s a convenient and time saving option for anyone wanting to freshen up their furniture.

You can skip the priming and sealing steps, making it a beginner friendly option for DIY projects. This means you won’t need to worry about buying separate products or figuring out the right order to apply them.

It’s also known for its durability and ease of use. So you get a high quality, long lasting finish with minimal time and effort. But you’ll need to know the right techniques and preparation steps to make the most of all in one paint!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.

Prepping Furniture

First and foremost, it’s important to prep your furniture properly. This is to make sure that the paint adheres well and gives you a smooth finish. If you don’t, you may end up with a messy and uneven finish. For a more detailed guide here’s how to prepare furniture for painting.

You can start by cleaning your furniture with a degreaser like Krud Kutter. Wipe away any dirt, grime, or wax that may be on the surface. Get into all the nooks and crannies, then let the piece dry completely.

Next, sand your furniture lightly to remove any imperfections or glossy finishes. Especially if you have laminate furniture, you’ll have to do this step to really get the paint to stick. Here’s more on what happens if you don’t sand before painting furniture to know why this step is important.

Fine grit sandpaper should work to scuff up the surface of your furniture. You can sand by hand or use one of these best sanders for furniture to speed up the process. Learn how to sand wood by hand here and how to sand curved surfaces here so you can tackle any piece of furniture. Once you’re done sanding, vacuum then wipe off any dust with a damp cloth.

Priming Furniture to Avoid Bleedthrough

Now, we know that all in one paint is meant to remove the need for primer, but we think this is not the case. Usually, if you don’t prime your furniture, there are more chances of bleedthrough happening. This means stains will show through your new coat, ruining the look you were going for.

Not only that, but some surfaces, like laminate, may be too slick for the paint to adhere properly without a primer. If you skip this step, you may end up with a patchy and uneven finish. And no one wants to have to redo their furniture because of these issues!

So even with all in one paint, we recommend priming your furniture. You can use any of these best primers to stop tannin bleed and these best bonding primer for laminate furniture for great results.

Apply 2 coats of primer for best coverage and stain blocking. Make sure to follow the drying time to let the primer set properly. Then you can move on to applying all in one paint! We know it may seem like an extra step, but trust us, it will make a difference in the end.

How to Apply All-in-One Paint on Furniture

For application, you can use a brush, roller, or a sprayer. You can choose whichever method you are most comfortable with, but they do have varying results you might want to consider.

Most all in one paint brands aren’t self leveling, meaning you may see brush marks or texture if you apply it with a brush or roller. Using these best paint brushes for painting furniture and these best rollers for painting furniture can minimize this, but it’s still something to keep in mind. You can also get some tips on how to paint furniture without brush marks here!

If you’re looking for a smooth flawless finish, using a sprayer may be the way to go. We would thin out the paint a bit as well to make it easier to spray. Check out our guide on how to thin paint for a sprayer here which can help you get the right consistency.

Either way, make sure to apply thin and even coats. Build the coverage gradually rather than trying to get full coverage in one go. This will prevent drips and give you a more professional finish. And don’t forget to let each coat dry completely before applying the next one.

Topcoating Matte Finish

Again, all in one paints already have a topcoat built in, but some brands have a matte finish. We think matte gets dirty easily and isn’t very durable, so adding a topcoat can help protect the finish and make it easier to clean.

Lilly Moon Paint, for one, has a matte finish while Beyond Paint has a finish that is more eggshell but almost matte. Melange ONE has a more eggshell finish too. If you like the look of matte then you don’t need a topcoat and can leave it as is. For more details on these brands here are our honest Beyond Paint review and Melange One Paint review.

However, if you want a more long lasting finish that you can maintain easily, especially for high traffic furniture pieces, then we suggest sealing it. Use any of these topcoats for painting furniture with a satin sheen.

Heirloom Traditions Paint is one of the all in one paints you don’t need to topcoat. It already dries to a satin sheen. You can check out our Heirloom Traditions Paint review for more on this brand. And for comparison with another brand here’s Beyond Paint vs Heirloom Traditions Paint!

Painting furniture with all in one paint is sure to make your project easier and more convenient. But even with its built-in primer and topcoat, it’s still important to prime and apply topcoat for the best results. So don’t skip those steps and have fun transforming your furniture with this paint!

More Painting Furniture Tips

• How to Paint Wooden Furniture
• How to Paint Particle Board Furniture
• How To Use Silk Paint
• Painting Stained Furniture Without Sanding

Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there!