Rethunk Junk Paint Review
Are you looking to give your beloved piece at home a makeover? If so, you might have heard about Rethunk Junk Paint! But is it any good for furniture?? Here is our Rethunk Junk Paint review!
They claim that it’s easy to use and creates a beautiful finish. But how does it compare to these other types of paint for furniture, and what things do you need to know about it before you start using it? Let’s dive in!
One of my favorite things to do as a furniture painter is to try new paints out. Over on Facebook, I have had MANY people tell me to try Rethunk Junk Paint out because they love it.
Last time, I had a lot of suggestions for a better paint to use, and I was led to Heirloom Traditions Paint, which is now what I consider one of the best paint for furniture options. Check out my Heirloom Traditions All In One Paint review if you’re interested in it.
So, I took this suggestion and tried Rethunk Junk on a piece of furniture, following the instructions from the brand. And here’s what happened! Keep reading for our experience with it, including our honest thoughts on its coverage, texture, durability, finish, and cost.
Supplies used for Rethunk Junk paint review
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What is Rethunk Junk Paint?
Rethunk Junk is a high quality resin paint specifically designed for furniture. It’s durable and gives a beautiful, chalky but almost satin finish to any piece it is applied to.
Unlike other options that require a lot of prep work and sanding, Rethunk Junk claims that it can be applied directly onto surfaces with minimal preparation. It adheres well to a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, ceramic, and even fabric.
So, the idea is that it’s perfect for those who are looking for a quick and easy way to update their pieces without spending a lot of time and money. If you want to skip these prep steps in your DIY projects, find out more about painting furniture without sanding or priming here.
It comes in various beautiful colors as well, so you can find a shade that perfectly matches your taste and the style of your home.
How to Use Rethunk Junk Paint
But how easy is it to use?? Well, the instructions say to clean your piece with Rethunk Junk The Prep. It’s their deglossing cleaner that prepares the surface so that the paint can better adhere to it.
I sprayed The Prep all over my table, let it sit for a minute, and then wiped it off. It did a good job at cleaning the surface, that’s for sure! Learn more tips on how to clean furniture before painting here.
Once the surface is dry, you can start painting! I brushed it on with a Zibra round paintbrush, and the consistency was perfect!
This specific color didn’t have good coverage, though. But that’s to be expected with similar colors in any brand. Certain colors just don’t have as good of coverage as others. I tested out a gray color from them, and it had normal coverage. So, I would expect typical coverage from this brand.
It dried quickly, similar to chalk paint – find out more about what is chalk paint? here. And then I brushed on a couple more coats, waiting for it to dry in between coats. I couldn’t find anything in their instructions that told me what their recommended recoat time is.
They do suggest applying a polyurethane topcoat on any horizontal or high traffic surfaces that will get a lot of use. Check out the best polyurethane for furniture you can use here and learn all about topcoats for painting furniture here. That’s it! Pretty easy, huh??
Rethunk Junk Paint Review
Now, for my completely honest review!
Coverage
The coverage is just as good as any other paint – I tested their gray color, and it had great coverage.
Texture
Unfortunately, every single coat left a gritty texture behind. At first, I thought it was because some dust got onto it when it dried, but nope, it happened on every coat, all over the piece. So, keep in mind that if you want a super smooth finish, you’ll have to lightly sand the gritty texture away and then topcoat the finish.
Durability
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After the first coat, I scratched at the laminate panel that was on the table. I couldn’t get any paint to scratch off of it! That’s awesome because a lot of other paints would easily scratch off of laminate without a primer underneath.
But I did another scratch test a week after adding the last coat, and I was able to somewhat easily get some of it to scratch off… So if you’re worried about how durable it is, you’ll need to do more prep (scuff sanding and/or priming) first and/or use a topcoat for more durability. Learn more about how to prepare furniture for painting here.
I will do a scratch test after 30 days to see if it cures to a super hard finish by then.
Finish
I love the sheen! It’s a beautiful satin sheen, which is perfect… except I do feel like it needs to be topcoated for better durability, so the finish doesn’t REALLY matter to me.
I can put a satin topcoat on top of it if that’s what I want. One of my favorite satin top coats is Varathane Waterbased Polyurethane in Satin.
Brush Marks
And last but not least, there were brush marks in the finish, so this is not self leveling. But I didn’t feel like it left as many brush marks as thick chalk paint does. Check out our tips on how to paint furniture without brush marks here.
Cost
Compared to other options, Rethunk Junk is very similar in price or a little more expensive than other furniture paints that I use often.
Overall Review
Overall, I would say that it is similar to but better than chalk paint. It has better adhesion than most chalk paints. You can check out the top chalk paint brands here. And I like the sheen better.
It dries about as fast as chalk paint, and both need to be topcoated, in my opinion.
Do you want to see more about this makeover? Check out the full tutorial of the painted sewing machine table here.
Can it be used on outdoor furniture?
Yes, Rethunk Junk can be used outdoors. I personally haven’t tested it outdoors, so I can’t give you a review on that.
Does it require a protective coat?
In my personal opinion, if you want it to hold up, you need to topcoat it with waterbased polyurethane. It would also be smart to lightly scuff sand your surface beforehand to help the paint stick better if you want the best results. Learn more about the importance of sanding before painting furniture in this post.
All in all, Rethunk Junk is a great option that has good coverage and adhesion. It’s also easy to apply with minimal brush marks.
However, if you want it to last longer, I would recommend lightly scuff sanding the surface first and applying waterbased polyurethane afterward. This way, your piece will be protected from scratches and wear and tear over time.
If you’re looking for an affordable option with good results, then Rethunk Junk Paint should definitely be on your list!
Rethunk Junk Paint Colors
If you’re concerned about color selection, Rethunk Junk has the variety you need to cover any project. They offer 48 shades, ranging from classic neutrals like whites, creams, blacks, and grays to more vibrant colors like blues, greens, yellows, reds, pinks, and purples. They even have metallic options for those looking for a touch of glam in their home decor.
So, if you have a specific color in mind, there’s a good chance that they have it in their collection. This makes it easier for you to match your piece with your current style or color scheme in your space.
You can also mix and match different colors to create a unique and personalized look. You can follow our guide on how to mix different colors of paint if you haven’t tried it yet. So you definitely have a lot of options and can even make your own!
More Furniture Paint Reviews
- Behr Chalk Paint Review
- Dixie Belle Silk Paint Review
- Beyond Paint Review
- Lilly Moon Paint Review
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Review
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!
I never had any instructions, I just started sanding and painting. If the wood is in good shape I prefer to sand stain and apply eurothane with two or three light to start then a little heavier. I’m just now getting into painting furniture. I’ve got to save my pennies and get an electric sprayer. I love watching what you do and I usually learn something I didn’t know. Thanks and keep painting. Oh, where do get the beautiful decals I see, I’m not big on ordering stuff online .
Hi, I have blonde kitchen cabinets and would like to know your recommendation and if you ever tried a product called poly stain. Or other paints you have used as in retired autobody person. I have some knowledge on how to refinish things like wood or metal. As you know, some paints you buy in the store that are made for cabinets tend to take an awful long time to dry and a very sticky once they are dried. Thank you
I used to use it a long time ago, I personally wouldn’t use it though. It stinks and takes a long time to dry. It also is very fussy to work with.
Did you ever do the 30 day scratch test with Rethunk Junk paint? I am curious as to what the results were.
Oh, I can’t remember if I tried the 30 day test or not.
Where can this paint be purchased at? Does it have to be ordered?
Hey Lana, I ordered if from Amazon. There’s a very small chance it would be available locally to you, but most likely you’ll have to get it online.