Preparing to paint.
The kind of paint used for furniture depends on what the furniture is made of. On metal, like a wrought-iron lawn chair, one might use latex with a moisture-proof primer, or enamel or flat enamel. Interior flat latex, flat enamel, sealer and stain preservatives, exterior latex, semigloss enamels, primer sealer or varnish can be used on wood. Screen enamel can be used on screen wire without the risk of filling in the holes between the wires. Does this Spark an idea?
Properties of Different Paints
Latex paints have resins, pigments and other ingredients suspended in water. They actually don't have rubber tree latex in them, and dry much faster than oil-based paints.
Enamel paint dries with a glossy or semiglossy finish.
Primer is a gritty undercoat that helps the fresh paint stick to the surface. There are primers for most surfaces.
Oil-based paints are good for wood. They're also good for painting in cold temperatures.
Epoxy paint dries by means of chemical action as opposed to evaporation to a very hard surface. Epoxy is good for porcelain, ceramic tile, plastic and metal, and requires a well-prepared surface.
Equipment
A painted house.
For painting furniture, you might need an angled brush, which will allow for more precise painting, and maybe a 1 1/2-inch brush for trim, a paint scraper or sandpaper for removing old paint from wood, tack cloth for dusting woodwork, and drop cloths or newspapers, sponges and protective clothing. A sprayer might be useful. If the job is small, spray cans of chosen colors of paint can be used.
Technique
It is best to paint furniture out of doors, but if that's not possible, the windows should be open for ventilation. Children and pets should be removed from the area. The surface to be painted must be absolutely clean, and drop cloths should be used to protect everything that is not to be painted.
Cleanup
Spray paint can.
If a brush was used for oil-based paint, it should be soaked for a few minutes in turpentine. Then the solvent should be worked through the bristles. The brush should then be washed and rinsed unless it's made of natural bristles. Natural bristles will swell. The brush should then be combed through and any excess solvent squeezed out. For latex paints, the same should be done, but warm soapy water should be used instead of solvent. Brushes should be wrapped in butcher paper and stored in a cool dry closet, shed or cabinet.
Spraying equipment should also be thoroughly cleaned with lacquer thinner, even when using latex paint.
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