Many people are faced with such a situation when it is a pity to throw out old wooden furniture, and think about its restoration. Some people buy items made of unpainted wood because the cost of such furniture is quite low. In both cases, most often it is necessary to apply furniture paint to the wood in order to make the appearance of the product more aesthetic.
However, not everyone knows what to consider when making a purchase in order to end up with not only a beautiful, but reliable and durable coating. After reading this article, you can understand the intricacies of choosing paints and varnishes for wood furniture.
Features of the
For indoor use, the dyestuffs that are safe for human health, as safe as possible, are suitable, from which there is no pungent smell. Wood is usually dyed in order to protect the surface from various negative external influences and make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Remember that Regardless of the type of paint you intend to use on wood furniture, you will need to carefully prepare the surface.
Pay special attention to lacquered, glossy substrates. It is best to remove such old coatings because many paints cannot adhere to such surfaces.
Views
It may be easier to list paints that are absolutely unsuitable for painting wood and furniture made from such a material. However, in general, the colorants that are used to apply to such products, can be divided into the following types:
- materials based on organic solvents;
- water soluble;
- transparent.
Transparent
This group includes various waxes, varnishes, impregnations, glazes, stains. They can be tinted or have no color at all.
Distinctive features of such materials:
- The presence in their composition of elements that reliably protect the surface from the effects of UV radiation. The bases do not fade, do not deteriorate.
- Increased vapor permeability. Under such a coating, wood "breathes", it takes in liquid from the environment and gives it back.
- The ability to emphasize the beauty of the structure of a wooden surface (other paints and varnishes hide it).
If the pieces of furniture are quite new or just well preserved, it is better to opt for transparent coatings. They make wood products more aesthetic. This option is especially good if the furniture will be used for an eco-style or classic interior.
Old clear coats do not have to be removed when it becomes necessary to renew the paint layer (unlike conventional paint formulations). Just apply a new layer to the base.
Water soluble
Dispersion paints and varnishes consist of polymer resins and water. Today, such paints are becoming more and more popular, because they have a lot of advantages.
The following main advantages of water-soluble coloring compositions can be distinguished:
- When such a coating dries, it becomes very resistant to low temperatures.
- Water-soluble paints are available as glazing and covering paints.
- Compositions can also be either glossy or matte.
- They do not have a negative impact on human health.
- You can change the color of the coatings by tinting.
- Such coatings are resistant to liquid and vapor permeable.
- They are able to get dry in no time.
Only completely dried coatings are frost-resistant. The paint and varnish material itself must be stored in a warm room, otherwise its performance will deteriorate significantly.
On organic solvents
Previously, consumers used mainly paints and varnishes based on organic solvents, but now they are inferior in popularity to more natural water-soluble dyes.
Paints based on organic solvents have become less popular because they:
- dry for a long time;
- have an unpleasant pungent odor;
- fire hazardous;
- are toxic.
However, such paints and varnishes also have advantages. Compared to soluble polymer dyes, they are more inexpensive. The film that appears on the substrate after the paint hardens has excellent water-repellent properties. Products painted with such compositions are suitable for use in rooms with high humidity.
At the same time, the wooden surface does not "breathe", since the coating does not differ in its ability to pass air. However, for pieces of furniture, this property is not required. Nevertheless, the wood must be completely dry, otherwise the paint will peel off over time.
Colors
If you want the painted pieces of furniture to harmoniously fit into the overall interior, you need to take the choice of paint and varnish material as seriously as possible. You should focus on the style in which the room is decorated. There are certain areas that are especially popular:
Scandinavian style and minimalism are in many ways similar to each other. In such interiors, there are practically no unnecessary details, simple lines prevail. Naturalness is usually preferred
If we talk about the color scheme, it can be noted that pastel shades are often combined with dark tones. Furniture items in color should be in harmony with the walls.
Boho style is the absolute opposite of the previous design options. It is worth making a choice in favor of the brightest colors, simple white or black furniture is not well suited for such interiors. However, you can use light elements to slightly “smooth out” the glaring brightness
If the room is decorated in mediterranean style, you can opt for calm light colors, wenge
Indoor in moroccan style you can choose multi-layer textures and rather bright colors
Into industrial style rather rough surfaces fit well. For such interiors, it is worth choosing a paint that will achieve the desired effect
Provence - a style associated with antiquity. For use in such premises, it is better to purchase pastel paints. Antique coatings will look very appropriate and interesting
Selection Tips
When choosing the most suitable paint and varnish material, you need to remember the peculiarities of wood. You should also take into account the characteristics of a particular coloring composition. When choosing paint, remember the following guidelines:
- Decide what kind of result you want to achieve. The coating can be matte, glossy, transparent, colored or even combined. Decide which option is best for your particular interior.
- To emphasize the beauty of wood, it is worth using transparent materials, impregnations, stains.
- It is recommended to choose coatings that are designed specifically for furniture items. You should not apply parquet, yacht paints and varnishes to such products.
Ask a shop assistant for advice on a suitable primer. If you choose a material that does not work well with the selected paint, the coating may peel off.
In various rooms
When thinking about which paint is best to buy for painting wooden furniture, consider which room it will be used in. In different cases, the recommendations will differ.
Living room
It is in the hall that home owners and their guests relax and communicate. The furnishings in such a room should be conducive to this. Make sure that the pieces of furniture in this room are not only comfortable, but also aesthetic, pleasing to the eye. Opt for paints of interesting colors or a varnish that emphasizes the advantages of wood.
Bedroom and nursery
For furniture in the bedroom and a crib, you need to choose extremely safe, non-toxic paints and varnishes. In the children's room, it is better to use coatings that are highly durable so that they can withstand the games of little fidgets.
It is recommended to prefer paints that are resistant to cleaning agents.
Kitchen
Since kitchen furniture is used quite intensively and often, coverings should be chosen appropriately. The paint must be resistant to mechanical stress, wet cleaning, temperature changes (hot dishes may appear on the kitchen table). Look for coatings that don't fade over time. The safety of the paint and varnish material is also important, because family members very often gather in the kitchen.
Bathroom
The coverings in such a room must provide reliable protection against mold growth. It is recommended to choose a very moisture resistant paint that is also resistant to temperature changes.
If you listen to the recommendations for choosing paint for wood, you will ensure a beautiful appearance of furniture in any room of your home, and the environment will always delight you and your guests.
For information on how to paint wooden furniture, countertops and wooden toys, see the next video.