Painting Furniture

Bought a condo in a ski resort that I am renovating. It came furnished with what can be called someones personal choices. The eating table was bright red, to match the red leather couches no doubt. I wanted to jazz it up a bit and paint the top of the table black and leave the legs red as a "hint of color". I got talked into using an acrylic paint for hardness and was advised to apply it with a foam roller. Well, after 3 coats, I am not pleased with the finish. Is there a trick to either foam rollers or acrylic paint that eludes even a pro like me? I'm tempted to put on a 4th coat with a brush and be done with it.

 

Are you sanding at all between coats? I'm assuming you're not getting a nice, smooth finish so I would be inclined to sand at least before switching to a brush. Personally, I have never used a foam roller.

 

Who told you acrylic paint was harder? I'd have used an oil base black enamel.

I detest foam roller covers! A 1/4" nap mohair cover would have been better. No bigger than the job is I would likely have just used whatever cover I had handy and tipped it off with a brush [lightly brushing over the rolled paint to get rid of roller stipple]

You should always sand [and remove dust] between coats.

 

Well, no experience painting furniture however, have stained a ton of it.

Any issues with sanding and then going back over it with oil black enamel?

A weak moment for me at the store. Had enamel in my hand and second guessed myself. I have a good friend that paints full time and he told me in the past that if he paints cabinetry he uses a foam brush so I thought it logical. Last time I waste money on that garbage. Looks like another trip down the mountain to the store. Nearest outlet 40 miles away so it creates unnecessary down time.

 

Give it a quick scuff sand and that oil base will stick nicely, IMO.

 

Oil base will adhere fine to the latex. About the only concern would be if the latex was applied heavy which creates a softer coat under the harder oil base coat - not normally a concern.

 

Well, after one coat of enamel it looks muck better. I plan on at least one more coat. The drying time sucks but it is the finish that matters.

 

The oil base will dry to a harder finish which means it should wear better than the latex enamel. I don't think you'll regret switching to oil.

 

First Coat of Oil enamel looks great! Thank you for the update. Will give several more coats to polish it off. The dry time between coats stinks as it is an all day affair. But other than that I am excited about the results.