The Type of Paint You Should Use On Furniture

Last week I talked about getting a smooth paint finish on furniture.  If you missed that post -- you can get caught up here.   But what type of paint to use is also worth knowing.  When I first started painting furniture, I was unsure of the type of paint I should be using for the best finish.  I've used many different paints and here is a recap of what I've learned!

The important thing to know is that ANY paint will make your furniture come together a LOT better.  Whether it's name brand paint, off brand paint, or a combination of both. The end result will be similar.  

For example, this black dresser was painted with a Behr paint.  It was $35 a gallon.  I also used a paint sprayer (and added water of course!).  Turned out nice right?

Then there is the antique white dresser done with my homemade chalk paint.  I combined an off brand primer, off brand paint, WATER, and painted this one by hand.

The end result was great on both.  The difference?  Price! As I mentioned, the Behr paint was $35 a gallon.  I had actually bought the paint to do the doors in my house and had extra leftover. I would never buy a $35 gallon of paint for furniture projects...shish what were you thinking!

The paint I used on the white dresser was found in the Oops section of Walmart.  I can't remember what I paid for them, but I never pay over $5.00 for Oops paint...so I would say under $5!

What is Oops paint you ask?  It is just what it sounds like.  The paint associate at Walmart...or Home Depot (or whatever store carries paint) mixes the paint wrong or a customer changes their mind.  These stores are just trying to make a buck off of the paint instead of trashing it. I found out about Oops paint online.  When I first set out to purchase some, I just asked the paint associate at the store were it was.  They know exactly what you are asking for.  

Some examples.....

I love all the paints I've ever bought (name brand or off brand) and never had any application issues with any of them.

It is OK to mix different paints together to create your own.  My antique white dresser - as mentioned - was painted with a combination of white primer, a beige color paint, some Plaster of Paris, and of course....water.  It doesn't matter what type of mixture you put together, the end result will look fantastic.  What is really important is what finishing product you use!

I will talk about finishing products next week so make sure you check back to get all the deets.

Have a great weekend everyone!