Refinishing Furniture for Children's Rooms
Refinishing furniture is one of the most exciting aspects of decorating. A tired, worn chest can be spruced up to look completely new; a unique finish can totally transform a blasé armoire into a stunning period piece. The best part is that refinishing furniture can save you lots of money -- especially if you purchase pieces from a secondhand store or refinish pieces you already have on hand. Refinishing furniture can require a lot of time -- if you want to do it correctly -- but the process itself is quite simple.
Safety First
Like other rooms in your home, a child's room has special concerns, specifically those related to safety and durability. Most paint and special finishes you choose for furniture are suitable for children, provided they are sealed with a protective coating to prevent chipping and peeling. Additionally, today's paints do not have the harmful chemicals found in their older counterparts.
Still, if you like the weathered look of an antique piece of furniture, it is important to make sure that its painted finish does not contain lead. Lead, both its dust and chips, can contaminate your home and cause serious health problems for you and your family. Obviously, any furniture with lead paint should be stripped or discarded. To confirm lead content, purchase an easy-to-use swab from a home supply store. When applied to a painted surface containing lead, the end will turn pink. If you decide to strip the piece, wear a respirator and work outdoors.
Please note: Whether you are refinishing wood, metal, or plastic, begin with a clean surface so the finish will adhere properly and evenly. Make any necessary repairs, and remove all hardware. Wear rubber gloves, protective goggles, and work outdoors if possible.
Refinishing Wood Surfaces
- For painted wood, use mineral spirits, wax remover, or
commercial wood cleaner to thoroughly clean surface. Let dry.
- Apply liquid or gel stripper according to manufacturer's instructions. When old finish
begins to bubble, scrape off old paint, following wood grain and taking care not to gouge or scratch surface. Repeat until all paint has been removed. Use steel wool on any stubborn areas.
- Fill any holes or blemishes with wood filler, let dry, then lightly
sand following wood grain. Wipe away dust with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
- If you plan to paint the piece, prime it according to manufacturer's instructions. Use wide paintbrush, and make long, even strokes. Let dry completely.
- Apply 2 coats of paint to furniture, letting it dry between coats. If knots or blemishes still show through, apply a third coat.
Refinishing Metal Surfaces
- Most of the old layers of paint and rust on metal furniture can be removed by scrubbing with a firm wire brush or steel wool. Rub until surface is smooth, then wash with water. Let dry.
- Apply iron oxide primer, which inhibits rust, to surface. Let dry.
- For quick finishes and for furniture with filigree or other small decorative features, spray paint provides complete coverage and is easy to apply. Hold can about 12 inches away from surface, lightly spray, and let dry. Repeat until all metal is covered. For large metal surfaces or if you have a custom paint color in mind, use a brush to apply paint in thin coats. Let dry between each coat.
Refinishing Plastic Surfaces
- Using a sponge or plastic scrub pad, clean plastic furniture with a mixture of warm water and detergent. To remove mildew,
add a capful of bleach to water mixture.
- Spray paint adheres well to plastic and is the easiest type of paint to apply. Hold can about 12 inches away from surface, lightly spray, and let dry. Repeat until entire surface has even coverage.
While wood is always a natural choice for furniture in any room, there are other materials available that look great in kids' rooms. Learn about them in the next section.
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