If you take away only one TIP for getting a smooth and lasting finish, make it this:
CLEAN • SAND• PRIME
Okay, technically that’s 3, but they all fall under the key concept of PREP.
I don’t want to bore you with endless chatter, so let’s get right to the good stuff.
Here is my process, in 3 simple steps:
1. Clean your piece very well. You can use a simple kitchen degreaser or TSP, it really doesn’t matter. Just get it clean!
2. Sand. Now, I am the first to admit that sanding is not on the top of my favorite list. But it works. You can use a foam sanding block, sanding sheets or a power sander. It doesn’t have to be fancy to work. The goal is simply to get rid of the shine and scuff the surface. this helps the primer get good adhesion to your substrate. After Setting I like to use a tack cloth or denatured alcohol to remove all the sanding dust and debris.
3. Prime. For repainting furniture or painting laminate there is only one print primer that I will use. The Bins Shellac primer blocks wood statins and bleed through and actually allows adhesion (think, stickieness) to laminate and veneer’s. It’s absolute magic. One thin coat is all you need. If I am aiming for a finished piece with a mirror finish I also sand and wipe the debris before my paint coat, but it’s not necessary on all projects.
That‘s it! Simple as 1, 2, 3.
See my post on painting for how I get the perfect finish on my furniture flips.
Tell us more about the liquid sandpaper that I see in the photo. How does that work and when in the process do you use it?