Paint Furniture Without Sanding

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Painting furniture without sanding is one of the foremost ways to revamp it, but sanding is not everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe, it’s a big challenge for a beginner or an awkward thing to smooth the bed, table, or other furniture using sandpaper. For the first time, your arm may be tired and handling it is also heavy lifting. In my experience, it’s also crucial to keep the surface at the same level while sanding. Don’t worry! I have a solution for you. You can paint furniture without sanding, and we have best alternative to skip the sanding step.

Paint for wood furniture without sanding saves a lot of time, effortless and mindless work. I will share the best methods, tools, and products to paint wood furniture without sanding process. Whether it’s an old chair, table, cabinet, or dresser, it will become a straightforward task for you.

How To Paint Furniture Without Sanding

Paint furniture without stripping is an easy task if you follow the right instruction given by me as a professional painter. I was truly confused at the time when I started painting without sanding. There were many questions in mind, but I did it perfectly. Let’s share those easy steps for painting wood furniture without sanding in the following:

Materials & Supplies Required For Painting Furniture Without Sanding

• A good quality furniture paint
• Tack cloth
• Ramp rag
• Spray paint for wood, roller or paint brush
• Deglosser

Step 1: Check The Furniture You Want To Paint

First, it’s obligatory to examine the piece of wood furniture before painting as it’s important before going further. Keep in mind that the furniture should be in sound condition to give you a benefit after painting; otherwise, there is no need to paint it. Check whether it would be functional for your family or not. The clean lines should be visible on the furniture, indicating that it can still be used.

Mend the furniture completely such as missing components or broken pieces. Check the windows, doors, and drawers to see everything is in good condition.

Step 2: Clean The Furniture Thoroughly

Next, it’s time to restore the furniture without sanding. We can only do it with proper cleaning using TSP, manual cleaning, or other heavy-duty cleaners. Whether the grime sticks for years, they will eliminate it perfectly. It’s a fact that a clean piece of wood requires less effort for painting.

After that, wipe it with a cloth using water to remove the dirt film left behind. Make sure everything is cleaner such as hardware, doors, handles, nooks, and crannies.

Step 3: Use A Deglosser

As we have skipped the sanding process, the deglosser is the best alternative for it. I never like to use chemicals or other options as they can cause serious damage to the wood. The deglosser also helps in achieving a less glossy finish on wood without the need for sanding.

Before going further, remember to wear gloves. Take a deglosser, apply it to the wood, and rub it with the help of a lint-free rag. Don’t forget to read the instructions because each brand has varied instructions.

Step 4: Prime The Furniture

People always ask: Do I need Priming before painting furniture without sanding? Well, I always recommend you go for priming. However, you can skip it and use alternative methods of priming. It guarantees you a long-lasting paint finish, and using oil-based primers is good. For effortless priming, water-based primers are easy to apply and clean.

Step 5: Paint Wood Furniture

Bravo! You have done all the necessary steps, and it’s time to paint it. I suggest you carefully consider this step for a durable paint finish. If you skip any steps mentioned, the surface will become slippery, and the paint will not stick well.

Apply the first coat of paint and wait for a while. Apply another coat of paint as it’s necessary to get a beautiful finish. I always recommend two coats for latex/semi-gloss/glossy paints; the result will clear the point.

Next, you just have to wait for about 24 hours by leaving it spare. Ultimately, the cabinet or any piece of furniture will look great. Congrats! You have done painting furniture without sanding.

By the way, I like to paint laminate furniture because it’s long-lasting and has an awesome finish. So, can you really paint laminate furniture? The answer is YES. It is the same process as mentioned above; the only difference is that the lamination should be in good condition. If it’s cracked or chipped, then it is not suitable for painting.

For better understanding, you can read the detailed article on painting laminate furniture here.

How To Chalk Paint Furniture Without Sanding?

Sanding is hectic, and you can now get rid of it by applying the best alternative. I propose to use a liquid deglosser instead of sandpaper. Directly apply the liquid onto the surface and wipe with a soft cloth. It will clean the surface ready for painting. In the end, apply high-quality chalk paint to revamp the furniture.

You might interested to know about updated furniture painting cost!

What Paint To Use on Wood Furniture?

Almost all paints can be applied to wood furniture, but here are five easy ways to paint furniture without sanding:

1. Mineral Paint

There is no need to prime anything before applying Mineral Paint. It sticks to almost anything. Fusion paints are waterproof, stain-resistant, and they don’t need a topcoat to maintain their durability. It is best to lightly scuff the piece rather than heavily sand it.

2. Chalk Paint

Painting with chalk paint is the best way to prevent sanding. Chalk paint provides matte finish and does not require any prep on the surface. However, color and finish options are limited. 

3. Milk Paint

It does not require any sanding or priming, but you have to mix your paint and bonding agent thoroughly.

Mix bonding agent with milk paint to make a paste that helps it stick to surfaces.

When I was using milk paint on my wood dresser. I found it to be very easy to use and the grip was excellent.

4. Bonding Primer

In most cases, the highest quality bonding primers require no sanding and can be applied to any shiny surface, such as tile, glass, or metal, etc. It is best to bond very strongly with primers like Fuse, Kilz, and Zinsser. Good primers may be expensive, but they won’t need to be sanded if they are of good quality.

5. Liquid Deglosser

There are very few people who are aware of liquid sandpaper and deglossers as a way to avoid having to sand furniture. In this case, the liquid is applied directly to the surface. 

How To Whitewash Furniture Without Sanding?

If you want to whitewash furniture paint without sanding, the best way is to use chalk paint. The paint is universal and can be applied on any surface practically. No lengthy procedure is involved in preparing the surface. Many people say No to white-wash furniture without sanding, but I have a thorough experience in it.

How do I paint furniture?

I always prefer chalk paint. Undoubtedly, it gives a modern look to the wood and creates a luxurious chalk paint finish. In my experience, chalk paint is used for multiple surfaces due to its chemical composition. Further, it does not require sanding or priming for furniture usually.

How To Paint Glossy Furniture Without Sanding?

Paint glossy furniture is the same as latex, chalk, or stains. I usually like mineral paint as it gives the most accurate finish. Just start by repairing the wood if it’s cracked or damaged. After that, clean the surface thoroughly to eliminate oils, residue, wax build-up, and dust. Pick up the paint and start brushing it everywhere. Don’t leave even a single corner or edge, as it requires a little more effort.

How To Paint Veneer Furniture Without Sanding?

Like laminate furniture, veneer furniture has an intricate surface. The procedure to paint veneer wood is similar like wood furniture. If you don’t want to skip sanding, I always recommend you use high-quality and soft sandpaper. The principle feature is to shield the surface from scratches or damages. Don’t forget to let the paint dry completely; otherwise the water will muddle the finish.

FAQs On Painting Furniture Without Sanding

How do you paint furniture without sanding?

Painting wood furniture without sanding is uncomplicated by using an alternative. I like to use liquid deglosser for this purpose as it gives the best results without sanding. After that, apply the primer and paint just after each other to complete the process.

What happens if you don’t sand before painting furniture?

You can go for painting furniture without sanding as it’s not a necessary steps for various furniture. On the other hand, it also depends on the type of wood your furniture has made. In my experience, it becomes necessary to sand the wood when it’s cracked or damaged.

Can you paint over finished wood without sanding?

Yes, I used to paint on finished wood without sanding. As per my experience, latex paints should not be used for staining wood, as they will produce poor results. Instead, you can use chalk paint for best results.

Can you paint new furniture without sanding?

It’s always better to sand the new furniture to make the surface smooth for painting, but it’s not compulsory. You can still paint it without sanding because the surface is already smooth and doesn’t have any damage. Yes, it’s ready to paint or stain without sanding.

Can I paint over varnished wood?

If you are using the right paint material and going through the accurate procedure, there is no problem in painting over varnished wood. I always suggest to use acrylic paints for varnished furniture because of high suitability. The other procedure is the same as mentioned in painting wood furniture without sanding.

Do you have to prime varnished wood before painting?

In my experience, priming the surface is obligatory for varnished wood before painting. First, sand it thoroughly and apply primer to get required finish. Don’t skip any step; otherwise, the paint finish will be inferior.

How much do I need to sand varnished wood before painting?

It depends on the furniture surface you want to paint. Start sanding gently with 220 grit sandpaper and examine the surface. Sand more if the surface is not smooth to adhere to the furniture paint.

Does paint stick to varnish?

Yes, paint sticks to varnish if you buy the right type of paint. It’s also mandatory to sand and prime all the areas. I usually like to use acrylic paints for varnish. If you are a beginner, practice sanding before going further.

Final Words On Paint Furniture Without Sanding

In conclusion, I have mentioned all the details on painting furniture without sanding. Now, it will be a simple DIY task for you if you follow my shared procedure. One of my favorite hobbies is painting wood furniture without sanding as it’s time-saving and effortless. So, enjoy painting projects!