5 Essential Tools to Paint Furniture That You Didn't Know You Need

When first starting out painting furniture many people believe that you have to immediately have all the things.  You don't need everything at once, but there are some items (besides paint, brushes, and top coats) that will help that maybe you haven't thought of.

Number 5 Fine Mist Spray Bottle & FIFO Bottles

If you use DIY Paint products using a misting bottle can really help you.  My favorite water bottle is the Water Girl Continous Spray bottle. DIY Paint is thick and water-based.  A fine mist spray of water can help the paint go on even smoother and the colors blend easier. You don’t NEED a fine mist spray, but they are so much easier to control than a regular spray bottle. Regular spray bottles spray very uneven and usually release way too much water which can cause drips. I use a fine mist sprayer when applying my second coat of paint to make sure I have a smooth finish and it also helps me to use less paint. I also use my misting bottle to apply Dark & Decrepit liquid patina as a stain. You can read more about how I do this in my post, The Easy Way to Stain Wood.

Hate having to open a can of paint?  Hate all the crusty dried paint that gets around the lid? Yuck.  Have you heard of FIFO bottles? FIFO stands for first in first out and that is exactly how they work.  You load them up with your paint and then you are able to use the oldest paint first.  You can keep paint in these forever as long as the lid is tight.  I have used them over over two years without any problems. Whenever you need paint just squeeze out what you need on a paper plate or even the piece itself and paint away.  The bottles self-seal at the top.  I also like that they are clear so you can instantly see how much paint you have. I love these so much I am now selling them at my Project Shop booth at Plaza Antiques & Collectibles Mall in Lincoln Park, MI

16 oz. FIFO (First In First Out) Bottles

FIFO (First In First Out) Bottles with DIY Paint

Water Girl Fine Mist Spray Bottle

Number 4 Wood Glue & Clamps

I love junk. Most people believe things are junk because they are loose or something is broken. Usually, the repairs are super simple and require some wood glue (I like  Titebond II Wood Glue). You also need to clamp whatever you are gluing in place. It is a good idea to have a wide variety of wood clamps. I recommend the first set you buy to be the largest you can afford. Larger clamps can work on smaller projects, but not the other way around. Most of the time you need the bigger clamps to tighten legs or drawers. Just apply glue and add the clamps then wipe away the excess glue.  Having clamps prepares you to tackle any simple repair.

Number 3 Orbital Sander

I started off with a detail sanded because I didn’t know any better and it was what I had. I used it exclusively for over two years. Detail sanders have their place and are good to have, but if you are going to really be working on a lot of furniture get an orbital sander. I bought the cheapest orbital sander from Harbor Freight to see how it would work and thought I would upgrade it later. Four years later my cheap orbital is still going strong and I use it almost every day. The orbital sander is great because you can use it in any direction and you will not get the weird sanding marks. You can also easily use it to remove all the old finish from a dining room table or distress the edges on a piece of furniture. I also invested in the heavy-duty sanding paper that lasts longer.

Number 2 Salvation Solution

Bleed through is the enemy of all furniture painters. It occurs when the tannins from the wood come through the paint and leave a stain. The stain can appear pink, yellow, or brown in color. DIY Paint has created Salvation Solution which is as the label says, "Redemption for rebel furniture."  Salvation Solution comes in white or clear so you can use it on any piece.  If your piece is red colored wood I recommend you use at least two coats before painting.  If you apply the primer ahead of time you save yourself lots of extra work later.  Sometimes when you are painting a piece you start to see bleed through after the paint dries.  Salvation Solution can be directly applied to the spots that need it.  Use at least two coats and then repaint & seal.  Want to read more about bleed through? Check out my post 3 Tips to Pick Your Perfect Paint Color.

Number 1 Wipes or Damp Wash Cloth

The multi-purpose tool of painting.  I use both disinfectant wipes and baby wipes and keep them nearby every time I paint.  Wipes can be used to clean your piece of furniture or to remove all dust after sanding.  You can also use them to wet distress your piece.  Baby wipes are more gentle and will remove less paint.  Disinfectant wipes work great to remove the paint completely from somewhere you don't want it.  Like the sides of a dresser drawer or the floor of your workspace.  Since DIY Paint is water-based if you have not sealed it you can easily remove it even days later. Wipes also work well for clean up when gluing and clamping.  Keep them nearby. You will need them.

If you are unable to get wipes having a damp washcloth can also help with wet distress and most cleanups.  I save all my old washcloths to use as "shop towels".

You don't need all the things before you start to paint, but having the items I mentioned above will definitely make painting go a lot smoother.  Happy Painting!