How To Paint Wood Furniture Without Sanding - A Place Called Home GA (2024)

• Gaynelle Khan
• April 27, 2021
• 22 Comments

How To Use Fusion Mineral Paint

Want to know how to paint wood furniture without sanding? Is it even possible? Almost all professional furniture painters can tell you the part of restyling they dislike the most is SANDING. It is messy and time consuming.

In fact, the first time I started salvaging furniture, I winced at the very thought of having to use sandpaper. It is not surprising then that one of the most frequently asked questions that I get is how should I go about painting furniture without sanding?

In order to avoid this messy task, I’d like to share a few ways of how to paint wood furniture without sanding but by lightly scuffing your piece combined with the use of Fusion Mineral Paint as a viable option. Below is a wood dresser that has been restyled and repainted using Fusion Mineral Paint instead of chalk paint.

5 Methods for Painting Furniture Without Sanding:

1. MINERAL PAINT (My Favorite Option)

With Mineral paint you don’t need to prime anything beforehand. It’ll adhere to just about anything. As an added bonus, Fusion paints are so durable they are waterproof, stain resistant, and don’t even require topcoat. I do recommend lightly scuffing the piece, but no heavy sanding is needed for best results!

2. CHALK PAINT

Chalk paint is the best way to paint practically anything without sanding. It offers a gorgeous matte finish and no need to prepare the surface.

Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint was the cornerstone of the painted furniture industry as we know it. Since the advent of chalk paints, several brands of chalk paint have hit the market, and remain popular today.

3. MILK PAINT + BONDING AGENT

Mix Bonding Agent with milk paint to make a paste which will help it adhere to the surface. It is easy to use and the grip is great. Include Bonding Agent only on the first coat.

4.BONDING PRIMER

The highest quality bonding primers will often state ‘no sanding is necessary’ and will adhere to almost any shiny surface, such as glass, metal, tile etc. Primers like Kilz, Fuse, and Zinnser are good for bonding very strongly. Primers can be costly, but if they are of good quality there will be no need for sanding.

5. LIQUID DEGLOSSER

Liquid sandpaper/deglossers are one of the least known ways to avoid sanding furniture. The liquid is applied directly to the surface.

When you apply the new paint, a chemical reaction occurs and the new paint sticks to the old paint. This product does smell, so it should be used in a well vented area.

This paint is wonderful for furniture details because it can be applied easily with a brush or a cloth and then painted in a given time interval as indicated in the directions.

TIPS FOR ADHESION

• Despite the fact that a cleaning product like TSP or a degreaser can help relieve paint/primer grip, it is helpful to read the instructions before using it. For instance, the BIN primer I use states on the label: “DO NOT use TSP”.

• We’ve got this down, and all you have to do is test. While testing sounds inconvenient, it will save you a ton of time. Getting it right the first time is much better than making an error ten days down the road and starting over. The next day, try scratching the product with a nail or top of a screw. If it sticks, you’re good to go.

If your furniture fails the scratch test, take a 150-220 grit sandpaper and lightly sand it just like you would your kitchen counter. Take a tack cloth to remove all the dust, then refinish the piece. You can begin your new DIY project knowing your efforts will be rewarded for years to come.

Conclusion

Based on my experience, the above methods usually work well in most cases, but you still may end up with one stubborn piece. There are a lot of differences between furniture pieces, so what works beautifully on one piece may not work on another. When in doubt (and the scratch test fails), give it a light sanding! You don’t want to put in so much effort and then have your paint peel.

One reason I love Fusion Mineral Paint is because it has so many colors available to choose from, you’ll find a color you like very easily. The best feature of Fusion is that it can be applied with little prep work and does not require a finish coat, wax, or ongoing maintenance.

If you are interested in learning how to paint with Fusion Mineral Paint, check out our Acworth and Woodstock Paint Classes. We’ll teach you how to make your perfect piece and give you more tips.