We have been contemplating throwing out a press board dresser my mom gave me many years ago and it has made about 6 moves so far. Well we are settled into our old family farm house and looking to thin things out for renovating. But I just can seem to get rid of this old press board dresser. So we wanted to simply paint it to give it a new look.
This can be great therapy taking something you were thinking about throwing away or burning to put some no expectation time into renovating. Once complete you can show your accomplishments off to your family.
Can You Spray Paint Particle Board?
Do you have some old furniture stored away in the attic or garage that you can’t bear to get rid of, but don’t like the way it looks? Well, we have great news – you can spray paint particle board without sanding! In this article, we will show you how to do it.
So we didn't want to get rid of our dresser because of sentimental value and we actually needed a dresser to go into what was going to be our walk-in closet. My wife was going with mostly white, gray and black design so we decided to paint it black.
All the drawers work for the most part and it has a lot of space in it. It just looks scuffed up quite a bit. So we picked up some black spray paint without knowing if the pressboard would take it especially without sanding. So we hoped for the best knowing we wouldn't be losing much and worst case we would finally be getting rid of it.
Mind you my mom had told me to just get rid of it multiple times, but with most things if it has a use and I can fix it I will keep it.
Spray Painting Pressboard Without Sanding
It turns out that you may spray paint wood without sanding it, as well as pressed wood/particle board (which some of this desk is composed of) and even the papery cardboard panel on the rear. It's all yours, guys. Just spray-paint ALL OF IT. Then let it dry for a few hours before repeating the process.
Take Note: Because you're working with a dark, glossy paint that is prone to absorption, you'll need to apply two light/medium coats (or even three) and allow time in between each application. Your excited brain will tell you that you can just spray it once and be finished. Do not listen to it! If the first round of paint you applied soaks in and the surface appears dull, you may need to apply a SECOND coat.
We took all the drawer out put down some plastic and newspaper and went to town spraying it. The only thing I'd do differently is apply a glossy coat at the end. There have been times when opening and shutting the desk that a bit of black paint got on my finger, which isn't the end of the world, but a clear coat would've taken care of it.
I'm completely satisfied that this dresser will last us a long time, look nice enough to be proud of, and that it has a beautiful Pottery Barn finish.
Also take note: If your piece is truly varnished, I'll just pray for you. After sanding my heavily varnished desk and then applying 3 coats of primer/paint, the dark varnish still bled through. It was a nightmare in that situation: before you ever start always sand as much as possible.
Now you can go through your furniture even if it is press board and not have to worry about it.
You can spray paint almost all furniture without sanding it so start with your cheap stuff and work your way up. Go to some garage sales and thrift shops and go town on everything.
What Else Can You Spray Paint?
Some other furniture you can spray paint are cabinets, tables, chairs, and even headboards. The sky is the limit! So get creative and have fun with it.
The best part about spray painting particle board without sanding is that you can do it yourself without any prior experience or special skills. You just need a few basic supplies and some patience. So don't hesitate to give it a try – you may be surprised at the results.
We have done desks, shelves, and filing cabinets that we use in our barn as well. All have worked and held steady they may need another coat from time to time, but it is fun and easy.
Make sure you prep your area so you don't get paint where you don't want it. Clean up is a breeze just take everything and throw it out and make sure you store your paint indoors during the winter months. At least in the north east we learned that lesson quickly. We actually store our paint in the Basement.
Here is a list of other things to try painting and renovating:
- Stair railing – don't like the color if the paint isn't chipping you can paint right over it
- Chair – can be a fun and easy project
- Table – can also be a fun project that can save you money rather than buying new
- Cabinet – may need to sand it down but this can be a great way to update an old cabinet
- Window trim – can really change the look of your room by painting it a different color from the walls
- Door – can be a fun and easy way to update your door without replacing it
- Fence – can really spruce up your yard or garden area with a new coat of paint
- Storage shed – can give it a fresh look and make it easier to find what you are looking for when stored inside
There are so many possibilities when it comes to spray painting furniture. The best part is that you can do it yourself without any prior experience or special skills. You just need a few basic supplies and some patience. So don't hesitate to give it a try – you may be surprised at the results.
Final Thoughts
So if you're looking for a quick, easy, and affordable way to update your furniture, spray painting it is the way to go. Just make sure you prepare properly so that you don't end up with paint where you don't want it, and have fun with it! There are endless possibilities when it comes to what can be spray painted, so get creative.
