Do you have a reliable, sturdy bench that needs a bit of a touch-up? Before you think of kicking it to the curb, consider making a DIY project out of it and give it a brand-new look with a fresh coat of paint. Keep reading for six fun, easy steps to repaint your bench.
Step 1: Gather Your Tools!
Before you get your creativity flow going, you need to make sure you have everything you need for you DIY project. Here is a checklist of things you’ll need before you start.
- An Old Sheet, or tarp, or newspaper.
- Paint – make sure you have enough.
- Paint Brushes of various sizes. Smaller brushes help with those tricky corners.
- A bowl of Water to rinse your brushes.
- A Cloth to wipe down the surface.
- Paint Stripper – optional.
- Sandpaper – optional.
Step 2: Set Up Your Workstation
Every DIY project starts with allocating a well-prepared workstation, especially when it comes to working with paint! So, find a nice, well-ventilated area with enough space where you can place an old sheet down, and set up your paints and brushes.
Consider places like the garage, but make sure you keep the windows open – you don’t want to inhale any fumes from the paint. If you have a spacious patio or driveway, that can work, just make sure there is no stormy weather rolling in!
Step 3: Prep the Bench
Now, before you get excited and start dotting paint on the bench, you must prep the bench. If you don’t prepare properly, the new paint will eventually chip away and undo all your hard work.
Start by giving the bench a proper clean by wiping down the surfaces to get all the dust off. This prevents any clumps from forming and protects your brushes and paint from any contamination.
Step 4: Roll Up Your Sleeves and Remove the Paint
Even though you can start painting right after wiping down the bench, it is advisable to remove any old paint and varnish. The old paint is likely to show through, especially if you are painting with a lighter colour. Now, depending on how DIY you want to go about removing the old paint from the bench, you have a few options.
A paint stripper is a great way to remove the paint from a piece of furniture without damaging it, just make sure you follow the instructions for the best results. If you’re working on a wooden bench and want to have a nice smooth finish, consider sanding it by hand with sandpaper or grab an electric sander, but only if you know how to use it. If you choose to sand your bench, please make sure you wear a face mask to avoid inhaling any sawdust.
Step 5: It’s Time for the Final Wipe Down
After having a bit of fun sanding down the bench, or just removing the varnish with a paint stripper, wipe down the surface again to remove any excess specks and dust.
Step 6: Let the Fun Begin.
Finally, it’s time to paint. This step is the fun part, but it does require a few, simple techniques. For a clean finish, make sure your paint strokes are in the same direction. After the first coat has dried, paint your second coat. Depending on the paint you have, some might require a third coat.
