Create the Perfect, Dark Painted Furniture Finish by Hand
Have you ever had problems with getting a streak-free finish over dark-painted furniture? Let me show you how I create a perfect finish.
Below is a list of supplies I used for this look. These are affiliate links; they don’t cost you extra, but I do earn a small commission if you click and buy through them.
Supply List
- Green EZ Furniture Cleaner
- Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint, Inkwell
- Wise Owl Paint, Matte Varnish
- Wise Owl Stain Eliminating Primer (Dark Gray)
- Cling On or Wise Owl Premium Brush for painting
- Cling On B10 or B12 Block Brush for applying topcoat
- Surf Prep Sander (Use Code BELLARENOVARE10 for 10% off)
Time For the Cheetah to GO!
Meowwwwwww! Have you ever painted a piece of furniture and maybe added a decor transfer, then years later said NOPE! Not for me! Well, that’s the case with this dresser. The cheetah needed to go! Instead, I wanted to create a more sleek, masculine look for this piece. Dark-painted furniture can be a challenge, especially if you don’t take the right steps. Let me show you how I do it!
Preparing for a Dark, Painted Furniture Finish
First and foremost, with ANY paint finish, you must ALWAYS clean your furniture before doing anything else. Once I had finished cleaning this piece with GreenEZ Strip and Clean Finishing Cleaner, I removed the transfer by sanding it off. My Surf Prep 3×4 Electric Ray was great for this job! I started with an 80 grit to strip and remove, then 120 grit to start smoothing, and lastly, I moved to a 220 grit to finish and smooth. The key to flawless, dark painted furniture is to have a clean and smooth canvas to start with.
Painting Your Furniture a Dark Color!
The color I used is Inkwell by Wise Owl Paint. This color is a beautiful, deep, almost blue-black color. Since it is such a dark color, I knew it would take a little extra effort to obtain a perfect finish, especially because it will all be painted by hand.
The first step is to do thin coats with a high-quality brush, such as a ClingOn or Wise Owl Premium Brush. I used the Wise Owl Premium 1.5-inch Flat Brush. Thin coats allow the paint to self-level as they dry. You can also put on a coat or two of Wise Owl Paint’s Dark Gray primer before painting, which will offer better coverage.
Sealing Dark Painted Furniture Perfectly
Once my paint was completely dry, I smoothed the entire surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. Once I was done sanding, I cleaned the entire piece with a microfiber cloth.
To topcoat, I mixed Wise Owl Paint’s Matte Varnish with a small amount of Inkwell. I always mix just enough of the paint into the topcoat so that it tints it. This helps to get less streaks for a flawless finish. A good rule of thumb would be 1 tablespoon of paint to 1/2 cup of Varnish.
Applying the Topcoat
Once the topcoat and paint are mixed completely, I pour it into a paint tray. I do this because I use a large deck brush, such as the Cling On B10 or B12, to apply the mixture. You still want to use light coats and stay in one direction when applying the topcoat. Between each coat, once it’s fully dry, I sand with a high grit sandpaper of 220 or above to knock down imperfections and to smooth any brush strokes. Generally, after 2-3 coats everything will even out, and you should have a smooth, clean finish. Be sure to brush away any drips immediately while applying.
Below I have added a video for you!! I hope you love it and find this helpful!!!
Happy Creating Friends!
XOXO
CrysDawna
