You may have be wondering, but are hesitant to ask, what are my go-to tools and supplies when starting a furniture project. Wonder no more! I have selected the top ten furniture refinishing essentials that help me take a piece of furniture from drab to fab.
Here's my list. Check it out... (in no particular order)
Sandpaper & Sander
Wood Putty
Putty Knife
Brushes & Rollers
Paint
Stain
Topcoats - Wax & Poly
Safety Equipment
Cloth rags
Cardboard - yes, you read it right!
You might be thinking, well duh...I knew you needed those things...but let's take a closer look at them.
1. Sandpaper & Sander
For me, not any old sander will do. I prefer an orbital sander (though belt sanders take it off quick when working on a heavy duty project!), particularly one with adjustable speed control. It allows you to better set and maintain speed to get that finish you're looking for.
I also look for ease of use when it comes to wrist strain. My particular sander is a lighter model and allows you to adjust your hand to different positions when sanding. When working on piece after piece your hands and wrists take a beating - no carpel tunnel for me!
As for sandpaper, I typically have 3 different grits on hand. 80 grit for bulldozing through a terrible finish or paint, 150 grit for the in-between stage and getting out gouges and smoothing down edges, and 220 for the finish.
The 220 grit gives you the glass-like feel and is also useful for hitting the poly in between coats to promote adhesion. The first 3 levels of sandpaper are for my sander, but I also have varying grits for hand-sanding from 40 grit up to 400 grit.
2. Wood Putty
A furniture refinisher's best friend! This stuff is like magic and can solve the most ugly of situations.
Remember my Ugly Duckling Dressing Table? I used an enormous amount of putty on that hacked up top.
How to use? Just grab a putty knife or scraper and spread some on like butter on toast. A little tip: make a point to not put it on completely smooth, but leave a little loft to it because as it hardens it will shrink - you don't want to have to waste time reapplying to fill a half-filled hole. Just leave enough so that you can smooth it to surface level. Also, try not to leave so much that it gums up your sand paper.
3. Putty Knife
I love my putty knife (aka scraper)! Can you believe it's the same one I've had since we purchased our home 11 years ago? My Wal-Mart jobbie has lasted f.o.r.e.v.e.r. This baby is my putty knife, my paint remover, my glass cleaner, my screwdriver (when I don't have one close by), my hammer (the butt of the handle works great when I'm too lazy to go get my hammer!)
It's very versatile and dangerous - I can't tell you how many times I have nicked myself with it - that blade has gotten very sharp over time! Duh-factor: anything with the word "knife" in it should be used with caution. ahem.
4. Brushes & Rollers
I've had sooo many questions from followers on how I achieve a super-smooth finish when working with non-chalk based paint. After working on a paint crew AND just plain trial and error, here is what I have found to be the best...FOAM! I use foam brushes and foam rollers. They rock!
Let me give you a for instance. While working on my Broyhill Brasilia, I used paint and stain. I love the angled tip of a foam brush to get into those tiny crevices and the foaminess (is that a word?) for creating a smooth-no-bristle-mark coat for both paint and stain. I also love that it stays firm when going near an edge so that you don't that one stray bristle that likes to drag over the edge - that drives me crazy!
When working on larger surfaces, I grab the rollers. Not your typical nap roller, but a small tightly porous roller, made for fine finishes. The DIY stores sell these rollers and the trays for minimal expense.
A word of truth: There is a problem however with these when applying a poly finish with those rollers. They can tend to make tiny bubbles...grrr. That too is a hair-pulling problem! The solution? After I roll my surface even, I take the largest foam BRUSH I have and slowly drag it across without any pressure, and in one direction. I REPEAT: Slowly and in one direction. Since the poly is already applied smoothly by the roller, there is no need for more pressure. It'll shine like glass!
When using my chalk paint (my preferred method to paint with), I use a synthetic bristle brush found at Home Depot. Natural brushes are a great choice, but I've found these Harris brushes to work just as well and they're cheaper. If you ever watch me picking out a paint brush, I'm the crazy lady who takes it out of the packaging to finger those bristles. They have to feel a certain way because working with a funky brush is time consuming and can really take a toll on your wrist and hand.
5. Paint
The best part. Home Depot is my second home and is my main source for paint. You might be saying, "But you use chalk paint, they don't have chalk paint for furniture?" Aaaah. My secret comes out. One word: WEBSTERS. I absolutely adore Websters Chalk Paint Powder. If can take any paint from flat to semi-gloss and turn it into chalk paint. It's non-toxic (the paint still has it's yickyness), and super easy to use.
My clients love that they can head to their local store, send me the link of the color they chose, and match it up perfectly with their decor AND I didn't have to set a toenail in their home to make the piece match! Perfect.
I also use paint straight out of the can for gloss finishes too, but I am so drawn to chalk paint because of it's ease of use, self-leveling attributes, and easy cleanup. What's not to love?
For a glamorous flair, my go-to is Modern Masters Metallic Paint. Elegant colors, ease of use, and client favorite. Sparkle is a girls best friend, like this leggy Queen Anne table I did.
6. Stain
The wood lover in me adores watching a clean slate of wood turn into a whole new creation by just adding a touch of color.
There are 3 stains, in particular, that have caught my fancy. Espresso by Minwax, Sunbleached and Early American by Varathane.
I love the richness of the deep dark color of Espresso. So lush and creates the most awesome contrast with white paint.
Available in my shop!
Sunbleached allows you to create the weathered wood effect, like the floors in our master bedroom project or my beach-worthy coffee table.
Early American was used on our faux barn beams in our master bedroom is my go-to for creating a timeless stained top with painted bottom piece.
Available in my shop!
7. Topcoats - Wax & Poly
My first choice for a topcoat is wax. A hand-rubbed wax topcoat creates a lusciously soft finish that gives a time-worn feel. At this point I use Minwax products, but am hoping to switch to a non-toxic version in the future. (I don't need to pay with my health while working on projects.) Minwax offers two different colors, natural and dark.
Natural is my preferred wax, but I also use the dark for accentuating details in woodwork, and creating an overall aged effect. No brushes to apply, just a piece of cheesecloth (as the can suggests) to rub it on.
I also use Minwax water-based polycrylic & Modern Masters for my topcoats. In order to create a smooth-as-glass finish, I do not use it straight out of the can. I have learned from others as well as trial and error that it is too thick to not get brush stroke marks, so I thin it a bit. Just adding the tiniest bit of water helps it to self-level. I don't have a specific formula to share with you because I've used it for so long, I just know when it's "right".
8. Safety Equipment
My health comes first to me and although it is quicker to just grab a rag and start working, I really feel that there are a couple items needed to protect yourself.
A good quality neoprene chemical resistant set of gloves are a MUST. Your typical thin gloves, like you see in a doctors office will not work when using chemical products like waxes and such. Those things will eat right through them. I purchase my gloves from a local hardware store or on eBay in bulk amount for a couple dollars.
Dust masks are an obvious choice. Who wants to breathe in nasty stuff you're sanding off time and time again? Again, these are very cheap at a hardware store and can save your lungs!
Eye & ear protection is also a must. I use saws, sanders, air hoses, sprayers, drills, nail guns, etc. It only takes one instance for you to really do a doozy on yourself. A good pair of eye protection or goggles is a very tiny investment in your health. As for your ears, well...I think it's obvious.
9. Cloth Rags
Ummm...you can bet you're going to need rags when working on furniture. I never make a mess, and if you believe that I have some swamp land I'd like to sell you. hee, hee.
Here goes: I use old socks and t-shirts for stain, old cloth diapers for buffing wax, and old wash cloths for wiping up drips, fingers, and kids who almost incessantly touch where they're not supposed to.
10. Cardboard
Boy, do I run through a whole lot of cardboard. What a versatile medium that is from creating hide-outs for my kids to being a catch-all while painting. Thankfully, I have a resource through various places, like my hubby's workplace, hardware stores, wherever there are boxes!!
Seriously though, I used under my pieces to protect flooring. Why don't I use a drop cloth? First, cardboard is free. I repeat, FREE. Second, cardboard soaks up the paint so nicely and prevents me from tracking my mess all over my shop or home. Third, it's lightweight and easy to store. Fourth, it recycles - drop cloths get dirty and have to go to the dump. Fifth...I could go on, but will stop inundating you with "th's".
Tips & Tricks
To remove veneer like butter off of hot toast, just soak a bath towel like none other and lay on veneer overnight. Even dump extra on. EASY!
To hide scratches & minor blemishes wipe on Old English Scratch Cover. BAM!
See the difference below: the left without it and the right with...amazing!
To remove sticky residue from stickers, grab your alcohol. Not a drink, just your drug store Isopropyl stuff. GONE!
To get rid of musty odor and smoke, just set your piece, with drawers removed, in the sun for a day or two or wipe down with vinegar. FRESH!
I hope all this information helps you in your furniture journey. I could seriously share more, but tried to keep it to the basics. Please feel free to ask me any questions at larissa@prodigalpieces.com - I'd love to hear from you!