How to Spray Paint

50% Off Saturday at Goodwill resulted in the purchase of a $15 dining table that will look absolutely nothing like this when I'm done with it.

I'd been stalking several on Craigslist, but all of them were at least $100, and most were not solid wood. This bad boy weighs a TON, but is well-made and solid white washed oak.

Which brings me to my next point: how can you take a $15 (or less) piece of furniture and not only make it look awesome, but make it your own?  I figured I've made at least 25 phone calls to my dad asking questions and getting tips the past couple of years since I started scoffing at new furniture and going the recycled route.  So I thought I'd spare you the trouble (and my dad the phone calls - he wouldn't really appreciate it if all you lovely readers started calling him), and make a nice, concise how-to.

1.  What you'll need:

• a well-ventilated area (this is not a suggestion - there's a reason they card you for this stuff)
• drop cloth (old curtains work well too, as long as they're thick)
• a sander (invest in an electric one - they're too cheap to resist)
• paint deglosser (also called liquid sandpaper - this stuff rocks, and goes a long way)
• gloves (for said deglosser)
• old rags (cut up t-shirts work great)
• in some cases, Minwax Polycrilic is handy (for surfaces that will see much use, it is a protective, clear coating)
• a staple gun (ok, you don't really need this, but everyone should own one)
• blue painters tape
• trash bags (handy)
• face mask (in case your significant other is paranoid)
• clothes you're ok with getting stained (spray paint does NOT come out; don't test this)

2.  Spray Paint GTKs (good to knows):

• There are 2 types: satin and glossy.  I think it's pretty obvious what the difference is.  Glossy can sometimes be a pain to get even, but has a shiny finish if that's what you're going for.  Don't be afraid to combine types on multi-surface pieces (i.e. dressers).  Most reds you don't have a choice but to go bold and glossilicious.
• Primer spray paint is a must.  It comes in gray and white usually.  Gray is for dark or bright colors, white is for pastels or...white paint.
• My personal favorite brand is Krylon, which can be found in vast, inexpensive quantities at WalMart and Ace.  Very non-intrusive as far as dust goes, even coating, and super quick drying time (they aren't kidding with the 10 minutes or less).  Rustoleum has an impressive glossy line that probably looks a bit better than Krylon, but I absolutely hate how sticky everything gets when I use it.  It will also turn any skin it touches the color of the paint for 2 days.  So weigh the risks.

3.  The most important step in spray painting any pieces is prep.  And it sucks.  But ensuring that the surface is ready to have paint stick to it for years to come will save you a lot of heart ache (trust me) down the road.  If the piece is wood or metal and fairly flat, use a sander to buff all surfaces to roughness.  If it's an odd material or shape that can't be sanded (like a lamp you have no idea what it's made of, or dresser handles) this is when the deglosser is a life saver.  Please be careful with this stuff - it's not good for your skin, and none of the materials we're using should ever enter your eyes.  

4.  After the piece has been sanded, coat it with the primer of your choice.  Trust me, one can goes a long way.  That being said, it's always better to have too much and return it than too little and have to pause for supplies and come back.  Evenly coat the piece to where it is entirely gray or white.

5.  Let that dry for 10 minutes if using Krylon (or if all else fails, read the directions), and start coating with the color(s) of your choice.  Keep in mind if you're using multi-colors what you'll need to tape off.  This is difficult, and I can't say I have completely mastered the art of avoiding seepage.  But it can look amazing.

6.  Let your piece dry for an hour (or more, depending on stickiness of coats) before handling.  In the case of this table, I will be coating the top with Minwax Polycrylic, which will protect it from water stains which will occur on painted wood.  Krylon also makes protective spray coatings that I've used on a bench outside, and has been impressive so far.  Again, pay attention to satin/glossy.  Helpful hint: the lid of the spray paint can will be shiny if it's glossy and flat if it's satin.

That's it!  I absolutely love spray paint.  Having painted one item by hand, I can honestly say I'll never use anything but.  It comes in a wide variety of colors and types, and dries more quickly and evenly.  Don't be afraid to try wild colors.  Keep in mind it's easy and cheap to simply sand the piece and paint again if you hate it!  My record is 3 different color sets...

Most of all, enjoy!  There's something very zen about spray painting, and almost anything can be spray painted and turned into something else!.  Could also be the fumes.  But when your project is complete and you turned a run down piece of furniture someone dropped off at Goodwill into a piece of art, it's a sense of accomplishment that is incomparable.