Did you buy particle board furniture because you were looking for a cost-effective alternative for wooden furniture, but now do not like the way it looks, or maybe it doesn’t suit the other décor in your home? Well, what do you do now?

So, a common question a lot of people have is – “Can you paint particle board furniture?”. Well, this article will answer all your questions in detail and will also tell you how to paint particle board furniture the right way.

Can you paint particle board furniture?

Particle boards are engineered wood products that are used to make particle board furniture that a lot of people often use because it is cost-effective. But often, the furniture made from particle boards may not look good in their appearance and therefore painting particle board furniture is a common practice.

So yes, you definitely can paint particle board furniture, but if it isn’t done in the right way, then the paint may not have a long-lasting effect and wear off easily.

Stepwise Guide on How to Paint Particle Board Furniture

Here are 6 simple steps you can use to paint particle board furniture at home

Step 1: Remove the hardware parts of the furniture

Before you begin painting your particle board furniture, you will need to remove the hardware fittings like strap braces, wide corner braces, T-plates, corner plates, mending plates, screws, handles, pins, etc., and dismantle the furniture setting the fittings aside carefully.

Step 2: Use sandpaper on the surface of the particle boards

This step is very essential for the paint to be able to stick to and evenly coat the particle board. This is because particle boards have a sheen or lamination, which will make it hard for the paint to stick.

Use good quality sandpaper, preferably around 120-grit and sand down the entire external surface of the particle boards you are going to paint.

When you sand it down, apply light pressure and sand it down just enough to expose the wood and get rid of the shine. Be careful not to damage the particle board as the wood is very soft.

Step 3: Primer your particle board

As mentioned earlier, paint doesn’t stick to the surface of the particle board easily and therefore after sanding it down, the priming step is necessary.

Therefore, you will require an oil-based primer to coat the particle board and this can be done using a wide paintbrush. Make sure to evenly paint all the exposed areas of the particle board.

Also do not use a water-based primer, as it can make the particle board expand when the water begins to seep in.

Once you have primer coated your particle board, leave it to dry out in good sunlight for at least one hour or until it is completely dry.

Step 4: The first coat painting process

Once your primer has dried, you can begin painting your particle board using any coloured paint of your choice. While using oil-based paint is always recommended, you could choose to use water-based paint as well, only if you have already used an oil-based primer, without any worry about damaging the particle board.

Paint all the exposed areas of the particle board evenly, using a paint sprayer, a wide paintbrush or a paint roller. This will be the first coat of paint.

Once you have painted the entire particle board, leave it out to dry in good sunlight for at least one to two hours, or until completely dry. Letting your painted particle board dry for a longer time than necessary, is always ideal.

Step 5: Application of the second coat of paint

Once you are sure that your painted particle board has dried completely, then you can re-apply the paint evenly all over the already painted particle board. This will now be your second coat of paint.

Most often, people prefer to go in for a third or even fourth coat of paint in order to completely conceal the inner primer. But this aspect is person-perspective and you can choose how many layers of paint you wish to coat your particle board furniture with.

Make sure to let each coat of paint dry completely before painting the next.

Step 6: Reassembling and fixing your furniture

Once you have finished painting your particle board furniture and it has dried completely (which could take a day or two), you can then reassemble it together by fixing the hardware parts back.

Maintenance Tips for Particle Board Furniture

Merely painting the particle board furniture is not enough. It’s equally important to look after it and provide ample care so that it doesn’t go back to looking old and unappealing. 

 

Here are some key maintenance tips you can follow to keep your furniture in good shape for a long time!

1. Regular cleaning

Make sure to dust often with a soft cloth only, so that the paint doesn’t scrape off. It’s also recommended to clean with a mild soap and a damp cloth to keep its polished look intact.

2. Protect the finish

To prevent spills or heat damage, ensure to use coaster or mats on the surface. Also keep the furniture out of direct sunlight to prevent any signs of fading.

3. Handle with care

Avoid sharp objects to come in contact with the furniture as it may cause scratches. In addition, you can use felt pads under the legs of the furniture to avoid any major dents from occurring. 

4. Touch-up paint

It’s always best to keep some extra paint aside to fix minor defects. However, it’s advisable to use a small brush to fix those defects as it can seamlessly blend new paint with the old.

5. Repairing damage 

Repair any damages like peeling and chips immediately by sanding the affected areas, applying primer, and repainting as and when required. 

Conclusion

I hope that this article has been able to give you a good idea of how to paint particle board furniture the right way. If you are looking for good particle board manufacturers, where you can find particle board quality at its best, then choose AK Plywoods as it is definitely the best plywood company to satisfy all your hardware needs.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

1. How can I paint particle wood furniture?

 

Particle board is technically wood, but it’s softer and more prone to damage in comparison to solid lumber To paint particle wood, you need to first sand the surface, then apply a thin layer of primer and finally, cover it with several coats of paint to achieve your desired look.

 

2. What type of paint should be used on particle board cabinets?

 

For painting particle boards, it’s preferred to use an oil-based cabinet paint with a semi-gloss or gloss finish. Avoid using water-based paints, as this can lead to swelling in the particle board.

 

3. Can I paint particle board without using a primer?

It’s possible to paint particle board without primer, but it’s not recommended. Using a primer helps the paint stick better to the surface and prevents the particle board from absorbing too much paint, which can lead to an uneven finish.

4. How can I make paint stay on particle board?

 

To ensure that paint sticks well to the particle board surface, always use a high-quality wood primer designed specifically for this material. A primer not only helps the paint stick better but also prevents absorption of too much paint. 

5.  What is the difference between particle board and MDF? 

 

Particle board and MDF are both engineered wood products, but they are different in terms of composition and features. Particle board is made from wood chips, sawdust, and resin, making it less dense and more prone to damage than MDF. MDF on the other hand, is made from wood fibers and resin, resulting in a denser, stronger, and smoother surface that is easier to paint and finish.