3 minute read
Homes - Go Green
Different Paint Types For Upcycling
Chalk paint is particular popular for recycling projects. That’s because it’s easy to use on any kind of surface, not just plain or varnished wood. Use it to paint over metal, varnished wood and even plastic. Better still, if it’s furniture you’re painting then you don’t even have to prime the wood first.
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Chalk paint is especially good for a ‘distressed’ or shabby chic and rustic look. Simply take the chair, table or dresser that you want to upcycle and paint it a dark colour underneath. After an hour apply the second, lighter coat and once dry, seal the paint by rubbing over with wax, using a soft lint-free cloth.
Once the wax is dry gently sand down particular areas of the furniture to make it appear scuffed. Another coat of wax, polish and you’re done.
Always use decent wood e.g. mahogany and pine, not chipboard
Check old furniture for woodworm first
Use a primer with laminated wood to stop the paint sliding off
Use coarse sandpaper first on rough wood, before switching to light sandpaper
Get ready to make a mess of things initially. Practice makes perfect and all that.
Getting a slick, contemporary look
Gloss paint is ideal for contemporary appeal. This type of paint reflects light, giving a good, sleek sheen. It will take longer because you’ll really need to prepare the furniture first by sanding it down and using primer.
Silk or Satinwood are ‘mid-sheen’ finishes. The latter has a softer feel than silk, while paint described as Eggshell has even less of a sheen than Satinwood, making it ideal for a heritage or classic look.
Once you’ve painted a few pieces of furniture and feeling more confident you might be tempted to add a little texture using paint.
The upcycling newbie’s vocab guide
Marblinginvolves mixing a few colours of oil paint in a bucket then dipping your furniture in, before allowing to dry and seal with wax.
Stippling involves dabbing the top coat of paint randomly with a stippling brush. This is where your textured look comes in as it gives the furniture an almost velvety appearance.
Stencilling, remember it as a child? Well, you can do the same to furniture with some spectacular results. Buy or make your own stencils then fill them in using a small brush and water-based paint.
Rag rolling involves pressing a rag rolled into a sausage shape against the final wet coat of paint. Unlike stippling, which involved pressing down and quickly off, this time you want to roll the rag down the paint for a
‘falling fabric’ effect. Spongingis the easiest technique.
Simply press down a damp sponge onto the wet paint surface and lift off.
You’ll then get a great ‘mottled ‘look.
Decoupage can look darling on furniture. Coat the furniture in PVA glue then stick down wallpaper cut offs, sheet music or card. Leave to dry then apply a second coat of glue before sealing with a clear acrylic varnish.
Gild edging is a great way to add extra sparkle to furniture. After painting your piece put glue on areas you want to highlight then press on a sheet of silver or gold leaf. Seal with clear wax.
Cracked finish can be achieved by painting the furniture and using a hairdryer to crack the paint. Once dry, rub the furniture’s edges with sandpaper to look worn. Go over the cracks with watered-down, darker paint. Add dark wax with a cloth then seal with a clear wax.
