If you have furniture that requires restoration, be it a table, chest of drawers, wardrobe, chairs, or you just want to paint windows, floors, maybe other wood products, then you will need wood paint. And for interior work, a special paint is needed that does not smell and dries in a short time, so as not to create discomfort for family members. In addition, update the old interior, making it extraordinary, adding a certain charm to the environment. If you purchased unfinished furniture, give it a makeover by using wood paint.
Choosing paint for wood furniture for interior or exterior use
What it is
For an apartment you need paint that dries quickly and is odorless
Currently, there are a variety of types of paint and varnish products in stores; they are divided according to external characteristics and area of use. In addition to paint and varnish products, there are various impregnations and primers for the front part of wooden products. Their correct selection and application make it possible to obtain a long-lasting and thorough coating. Note that this result is virtually impossible to achieve with ordinary or painstaking staining.
The primer composition ensures penetration into the structure of the material and its strengthening
Manufacturers produce, in addition to the main products, related materials - primers and leveling mixtures. Products must come with instructions that tell you how to prepare the surface before final painting. It happens that the tables list products specifically designed for priming.
Externally, paints are divided into the following types:
- Products with a transparent structure - varnish, glaze, impregnation agents. The fact that they contain different pigments allows you to emphasize the natural structure of the wood. These products have good vapor permeability, which is why the liquid from the treated material evaporates easily. Typically, such coatings have substances that protect against ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the tree does not deteriorate in the sun, and its service life increases. Secondary treatment is carried out after a couple of years, and the initial layer does not require removal.
Environmentally friendly wood protection products - Acrylic dispersion paints. Such coatings are widely used in repair work. Acrylates and their derivatives serve as a binder, and water is used as a solvent. The surface treated with this type of coating is reliably protected from external influences, does not fade, is moisture resistant, the liquid evaporates easily, which allows the wood to “breathe”. After painting, a film is formed, and moisture evaporates, making the material resistant to frost.
Acrylic water-dispersion paint for interior work
On a note. Do not allow acrylic paint to freeze, this will render it unusable or most of its properties will be lost.
- When odorless wood furniture paints, using water as a solvent, began to be produced, conventional paints and varnishes became less in demand. But this does not mean that they stopped buying them. They are also used in repair work due to the quality of the coating, and they are simple and easy to use. There are several important disadvantages: they are toxic and flammable. Of the opaque enamels, which use organic solvents as a base, alkyd, vinyl chloride and polyurethane are in wide demand.
Universal waterproof alkyd enamel for interior and exterior use
Oil-based compounds have high-quality adhesion to wood, but surfaces painted with these compounds become non-breathable
Let's see what is included in the paints:
| Acrylic | Acrylic resins are used as a basis; when dry, the paint darkens. Their advantages: odorless, dry quickly, resistant to abrasives, moisture, and ultraviolet radiation. Ideal for matte and semi-matte surfaces. Suitable for all types of work |
| Water-based | The structure includes aqueous emulsions of polymers. Eco-friendly, wide range of colors, vapor permeable, suitable for many surfaces. They are not durable and stains appear over time. The best option is a water-based emulsion based on acrylic resins. If you add latex, it becomes moisture resistant. The surface treated with this paint can be washed frequently. |
| Silicone | The base consists of special silicone resins. They are considered the best, so their price is quite high. Vapor permeable, but do not get wet. Due to the fact that carbon dioxide passes through, they harden easily and are elastic. |
Variety of water-based paints
Dyeing technology
The technique for painting different wood boards at home has some differences, but the preparation process for all types of materials is common:
- The work scheme is determined. If you need to paint or varnish furniture, then, if necessary, it is partially or completely disassembled. The design of walls and ceilings must be accompanied by the protection of adjacent areas; the floor is treated after preparing the base.
- If there is an old coating, it must be completely removed. Grinding is used for this, but it is important to prevent damage to the structure.
Before processing, the surfaces of the sheets must be sanded
Attention! An important condition is the minimum humidity of the material being processed; if necessary, it is dried in advance.
Painting of particle boards
Painting of chipboard begins with priming. For these purposes, an acrylic composition is used, with which the product is impregnated in several layers, each time waiting until the previous coating has completely dried.
When working with acrylic compounds, the primer should be selected similar
Do-it-yourself paint is applied as follows:
- The mixture can be applied with a roller or spray gun; brushes are used for hard-to-reach places. If the coating has not been primed, then use well-diluted paint.
- The composition is evenly distributed over the surface, movements should be in one direction. The number of layers applied varies from 2 to 5. Spraying is a more complex process and requires experience.
- After the last coating has dried, varnishing can be done for additional protection.
If a spray gun is not available, the best tool for painting smooth surfaces is a roller.
Dyeing of wood fiber products
Painting of fiberboard slabs is carried out in almost the same order as previous work, but it is recommended to use a fur roller or a spray gun. This material can be painted without a primer, then the procedure will be as follows:
- For the first layer, the mixture is slightly diluted. The paint is applied quickly, without treating the bald spots that appear due to the gradual absorption of the solution.
- The next layer is laid no earlier than a day later. The mixture should be more viscous.
- At the final stage, the third layer is applied.
Floors finished with fiberboard are painted in at least 3 layers
On a note! If the treatment is carried out exclusively with varnish, then a suitable shade is selected, and the number of layers varies from three to six.
Features of working with laminated chipboard
Laminated chipboards are common in furniture production. They are quite difficult to paint with your own hands, since the top layer reliably impregnates the base, which eliminates the possibility of its removal. But laying paint directly on a laminated surface is not always a good solution, so such material must be subjected to external grinding in order to create a rough base.
Source: otdelkagid.ru
Advantages of acrylic paint
Safe acrylic paint suitable for wood furniture
Acrylic paints are in wide demand, and for good reason - they have a lot of advantages.
- They have excellent adhesion to wood.
- Antiseptic substances are added to many types of such paints to prevent the formation of fungus and mold, thereby increasing the service life of wood products, as well as water- and dirt-repellent additives, which greatly simplifies the care of painted furniture.
- A rich range of colors allows you to realize any design idea.
Variety of colors of acrylic paints - All components are environmentally friendly, so the paint is used in children's rooms, living quarters, offices, after painting it is non-toxic and does not smell.
- Fireproof, so it can be used everywhere. The product dries quickly, the next layer can be applied after 2-3 hours. The tools used for painting can be easily washed in water.
- Paints have a long service life (more than 10 years). They do not change when exposed to external factors.
Super durable acrylic paint for wood
Chipboard furniture: how safe is it? Chemist expert explains
Member of the “Expert Community” of Roskontrol, chemist Oleg Volkov, answers questions about what risks the use of chipboard furniture in everyday life may pose. And how to choose furniture made from chipboard that will be as safe as possible.
Will new chipboard furniture always have an unpleasant odor?
Of course, this question is also related to the acuteness of smell and preferences in smells, but I would venture to say that new furniture may well have a noticeable and unpleasant odor. This is typical of the materials from which modern furniture is made - chipboard, laminated chipboard, fibreboard, MDF, plywood, etc. The fact is that these materials, despite all the differences in their production technology, contain a wood base (of varying degrees of processing) and a binder - urea-formaldehyde resins, most often.
Phenolic, melamine and other based polymers are also used. All of them contain low molecular weight substances that are gradually released into the surrounding atmosphere. Since the “stock” of these substances in the material is limited, this process occurs with attenuation, that is, the smell of new chipboard furniture will decrease over time.
Decoding abbreviations
Chipboard – chipboard
LDSP - laminated chipboard
Fiberboard - fibreboard
MDF - medium density fiberboard (English: Medium Density Fiberboard, MDF/MDF)
Another thing is that many of them have a pungent odor and are harmful to humans and animals. For this reason, even small concentrations of these substances (formaldehyde, primarily) can cause discomfort, pain in the eyes, irritation of the respiratory tract, etc.
In addition, there is increased sensitivity to these substances, which makes being in a room with new furniture unbearable.
Since the emission of toxic formaldehyde can directly affect the health of consumers, the emission of formaldehyde from chipboards is controlled and is an important parameter for the quality of boards.
Products differ according to formaldehyde emission classes and low-grade materials should not be allowed for the manufacture of furniture.
Moreover, the more resin in the material, the stronger and more durable it is, but also the more dangerous from the point of view of the release of toxic substances!
As for how long this smell can last after purchase, I personally would be wary of the presence of an irritating smell that persisted 2-3 weeks after installing the furniture in the room.
Should you avoid buying chipboard furniture if possible?
Since the question said “if possible,” then yes, furniture made from MDF is preferable to furniture made from chipboard. And more beautiful, as a rule, by the way. And solid wood is even more environmentally friendly. However, furniture made from chipboard can be an acceptable choice. Chipboard is a proven material, the main one for inexpensive furniture.
It will hardly be possible to abandon it, because alternative materials are significantly more expensive. I would not refuse furniture made from chipboard, but I would definitely pay attention to how strong the smell is from a particular product and whether the edges of the chipboard are well covered with film.
It is very important that the ends are sealed well. I would definitely read reviews on the Internet from people who bought products from this manufacturer (furniture makers do not change suppliers of board materials very often).
People will not remain silent if they have problems and troubles due to the release of toxic substances.
Yes, over time the release of harmful substances will stop. The only question is how quickly and how much of them will be released, and what concentrations of harmful substances will appear in the air that people breathe.
In any case, I would recommend thoroughly ventilating the apartment for the first time (several weeks), avoiding, if possible, periods when the flow of outside air will be stopped, because it is in a “clogged” room that it is easier for a concentration of harmful substances to arise that is hazardous to health.
Deterioration in health due to unsafe chipboard furniture
Toxicity is divided into acute and chronic. I don’t think that buying new furniture can lead to chronic intoxication (I note that working in a furniture store or furniture factory is a different matter...)
But if you are unlucky, you may encounter signs of acute poisoning.
If the reaction is associated with an allergy, then the reaction will be allergic - its signs are varied, but every allergic person usually knows the manifestations of his allergy by heart.
If the issue is not an allergy, but rather a high concentration of formaldehyde, then the first reaction will probably follow very quickly in the form of irritation of the respiratory tract, mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, sneezing and coughing.
What technology violations make chipboard furniture unsafe?
Chipboard is controlled by a number of parameters - including tensile strength, fracture strength, swelling (how much the thickness of the sample increases when it is kept in water under certain conditions), etc. Laminated board (chipboard) is controlled even more strictly.
There are a lot of factors that influence the controlled parameters - this is the raw material composition (from what kind of wood the chips are made), and the settings of the equipment that forms the “carpet” (which, after pressing and gluing, will become a slab), and the composition of the glue, and its quantity , and pressing mode, and the like. A decrease in some characteristics can be corrected by increasing the glue supply or changing the mode.
All this can worsen the environmental performance of products. In addition, resins from different manufacturers vary significantly in their ability to subsequently release formaldehyde - this is also an important factor.
Therefore, I would not talk about violations in technology that ultimately lead to a decrease in the safety of furniture - there are simply a number of reasons, each of which can significantly deteriorate the quality of chipboard.
At the same time, if you carefully consider the choice of furniture made from chipboard, MDF, etc., then it is quite possible to avoid causing harm to health.
Latex-based water-based paint
Latex paint penetrates deep into the structure of the wooden surface and creates a waterproof film
Most people are sure that it is possible to paint a wooden surface with high quality using oil paint. But it has a strong smell, which can cause some harm to health. Not many people know that a similar effect can be achieved using latex-based aqua emulsion. It easily seeps into the wood and forms a moisture-proof film. This is how water-based paint forms a coating that can be easily washed - just wipe with a wet cloth.
An undoubted advantage of this paint is that the applied layer allows air to pass through during drying, which prevents the formation of bubbles on the surface. One of the disadvantages is that cracks may appear at low temperatures. In this case, it is better not to paint furniture located in a room that is repeatedly ventilated during the cold season.
Water-based washable latex paint
Purpose
Furniture paint is used to solve a variety of problems, namely:
- restoration work, hiding defects or updating old coatings;
- decorating new products, implementing original design ideas;
- protecting furniture surfaces from moisture, UV, temperature, mechanical or biological influences;
- extending the service life of products.
Modern paint and varnish compositions are used in combination with accompanying materials: primers, deep penetration impregnations, wood structure restorers, tinting pastes, transparent varnishes or leveling mixtures. The intended purpose depends on the task and operating conditions. For furniture made of chipboard, plastic or natural wood, both universal and specialized brands can be used. With the right approach, paint not only changes the color and appearance of products, but also protects surfaces from negative influences.
Restoration and concealment of defects
Decoration
Protection and life extension
Silicone water-based paint
Silicone water-based paint is considered one of the most durable coatings that does not have a strong odor
This kind of coating is made on the basis of acrylic copolymer and silicone, with the help of which this paint, when compared with latex and acrylic, has the following properties:
- does not wash out for a long time, is moisture resistant;
- allows water vapor to pass through;
- has elasticity;
- resistant to fungus and mold;
- does not turn yellow over time;
- not subject to cracking and swelling;
- Resistant to stains.
Silicone water-based coating is the most durable coating, there is no pungent odor. In most cases, this paint is used to paint the front part of buildings, but furniture is also painted to increase their service life, especially if they are located in rooms with high humidity. A significant drawback of such paint is its significant price equivalent; given its high quality and durability, all these costs will subsequently be justified.
Silicone based facade paint
Color palette
Modern paint compositions for furniture provide enormous scope for creativity. Transparent, colorless products highlight the beauty of natural wood. Colorants change its tones to darker ones, and with repeated application the effect intensifies. Opaque stamps with additives of coloring pigments radically change the color of the surface, up to obtaining a rich, bright color.
A basic classification helps to understand the assortment: light paints belong to group A, dark ones - C, transparent/translucent compositions - EP.
To enhance the decorative effect, use:
- Craquelure varnishes and glazes for artificial aging of the surface, applied to a previously painted base in 1–2 layers and rubbed, taking into account the manufacturers’ recommendations.
- Tint aerosols in cans (including compositions with a gilded effect).
- Paints for artistic painting of furniture, most often acrylic-based, applied with thin brushes or using templates.
| General style of the room | Optimal coloring option |
| Minimalism, Scandinavian | Monochrome colors to match the walls, contrast of dark shades with pastels |
| Mediterranean | Preference is given to light colors. For dark colors it is worth using wenge paint or glazes that imitate the aging of the surface |
| Urban, loft | Rough, deliberately careless painting of white or light color. Thixotropic or textured paint is best suited for these purposes. |
| Provence, Victorian | The basis is pastel colors, artificially creating scuffs on the surface of the furniture |
| Classic interiors | Enhancing the beauty of natural wood |
| Moroccan | Bright rich colors, multi-layer painting |
| Boho, futurism, eclecticism | Maximum bright colors |
| Modern | Imitation of dark wood (oak, walnut, beech), gloss |
When choosing a coating color, you should take into account the tone of the base. When painting dark furniture in light shades, the manufacturer's recommended consumption increases by 1.5–2 times. An exception is made for milk and chalk brands with good hiding power, but in any case they are applied in two layers to hide the color of the base.
Varnish with aging effect
Tint aerosol
Paints for artistic painting
Scandinavian
Mediterranean
Provence
Loft
Classic
Moroccan
Modern
Eclecticism
How to choose a manufacturer
It is best to give preference to products from well-known manufacturers
When choosing a paint, you should not forget that you need to adhere to the best match between properties and cost. There is no need to purchase a cheap product so that you don’t have to redo everything later. It is best to buy coating products from manufacturers whose products have many good reviews. The Russian market offers high-quality, odorless paints for wood furniture. The most popular brands are: “Teknos”, “Dulux”, “Tikkurila”, “Leningrad Paints”.
Teknos paints for various surfaces
Drawing a conclusion from the above, we can state that it is best to paint wooden furniture indoors with an odorless product. Water emulsions made from natural ingredients are suitable for this, but the ideal option is silicone, acrylic, latex. The choice is yours, but when going to the store to buy a coating, choose products from reputable manufacturers.
Organic-based impregnation for interior work on wooden surfaces from Dulux
The nuances of working with chipboard and fibreboard
To make the right decision on how to paint chipboard or fiberboard, you need to take into account the features of these materials. Although they are almost identical, each has its own structure.
- Chipboard is a particle board that can have different densities. Essentially, this is a finely ground fraction of wood materials, which, through the action of a press and the addition of glue, is formed into slabs of the required size. The final density depends on the size of the chips used and the quality of pressing. The lower this indicator, the better the product will absorb any liquids and paint. It is difficult to work with such slabs, since longer preparation is required. Is it possible to paint chipboard? Yes, but each specific case must be approached individually.
Chipboard is considered a traditional material for budget finishing. Fiberboard (fibreboard) is a similar material, but has a different structure and production technology. The manufacturing principle is that a very fine wood fraction is hot pressed. The result is a product with high density. Therefore, it is difficult to paint such products, because the coloring composition does not always have the necessary adhesion. Although there are soft fiberboard options, they are used for rough work or as a substrate.
The share of fiberboard when finishing internal surfaces reaches 25%
Preparatory stage
To paint furniture yourself, it is recommended to do it in a separate room. The process may take several days, so it is better to have the furniture in another room. In this way, it will be possible to protect your home from dust. It is also recommended to wear safety glasses, gloves and a gown while working.
To prepare the furniture you will need:
- wood putty;
- sandpaper;
- rubber spatula;
- acrylic primer;
- brush (roller).
Furniture surface preparation is as follows:
- the product is disassembled;
- remove paint and varnish;
- primed, puttied.
The first step is to replace or repair all mechanisms. To do this, the furniture is disassembled into individual elements, handles and hanging parts are removed. Disassembly of interior items is also necessary in order to paint all elements evenly and completely. It is impossible to do this while the furniture is assembled. When the restoration of the mechanisms is completed, you can begin preparing the surface for painting.
Disassembling furniture before painting
Old paint must first be removed
Primer of wooden furniture
putty
Scope of application
Acrylic paint - white or colored - is used for almost all types of rooms. It is used both as a main shade and as a means for painting.
Since the product is environmentally friendly and odorless, it can be used even in children's rooms. If a child is prone to allergies, acrylic will be a good solution for interior design.
Also, due to its resistance to moisture, such a coating is used when decorating the interior of a kitchen or bathroom. However, places where water splashes frequently (sink, sink, bathtub) should be framed with tiles. This will extend the life of the coating.
If you plan to apply the paint in close proximity to a radiator or hob, you need to purchase a special type. It has increased durability.
The basis for applying the coating can be any porous surface. To reduce paint consumption, you should first prime the walls or ceiling.
Subtleties and tips for painting furniture
Correct application of the composition to the surface is facilitated by compliance with the following rules:
- To remove the old coating, gel-like removers are used. Unlike liquid ones, they adhere well to the surface, dissolving the material.
- During painting work, wear a respirator to protect the respiratory system from toxic fumes.
- To remove the remaining finishing material from large surfaces, use a wide spatula, and an iron brush from the sides and ends.
- It is recommended to paint furniture with a velor roller. Acrylic compounds adhere better when applied with an art brush.
Dismantling removable furniture elements makes painting work easier. To properly assemble an item after restoration, it is recommended to take photos of the locations of the fittings, drawers and doors.
