How to Refurbish Particleboard Furniture With Paint

Repair Damage

You will achieve the best results from painting your particleboard furniture if you carefully clean the entire piece and repair any damage before painting.

Repair Chips and Scratches

Particleboard furniture can chip, scratch, or crack fairly easily. If you see this kind of damage, begin by filling the damaged area with wood filler or putty, using a putty knife. Smooth the patch area so it is even with the surrounding surface.

Let the putty or filler dry overnight. After it completely dries, gently sand over the repaired area with fine-grit sandpaper until the surface is completely smooth.

Repair Damaged Veneer

The glues holding plastic veneer to the particleboard core can often loosen over time, especially at the edges. This can be repaired with contact cement.

Carefully lift up the loose veneer and use a putty knife to scrape away as much loose, dried glue as possible. Apply a thin layer of contact cement to both the particle board surface and the bottom surface of the veneer. Use a small stick or a pencil to keep the surfaces apart for 15 minutes or so, until the glue is no longer shiny.

Press the plastic veneer down onto the particleboard core, using a roller or block of wood. The veneer should bond firmly.

Repair Water Damage

Some particleboard furniture is not faced with laminate, but instead is already painted. With these pieces, long exposure to water can create bubbles and permanent stains on the surface. The particleboard may even soften and begin to break down.

To fix water-damaged sections of particleboard furniture, remove the damaged areas using a sharp razor, then fill the space with wood filler (see above) and sand smooth.

If the damage is extensive, remove the damaged areas and replace with a new piece of particleboard. If the furniture item is not that important or sentimental, you may want to evaluate the cost of the repair versus purchasing a new piece of furniture.

Sand the Surfaces

Once all the damage has been repaired, it's time for sanding. Since particleboard furniture faced with laminate has a glossy finish, it's difficult for paint to stick to the surface. If you skip this step, you might find your new coat of paint chipping off in a matter of days.

Sand the entire item with fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding block to remove any old finish, lacquer, or gloss. The goal is not to sand off the plastic veneer, but simply to scuff the surface and give it "tooth" that will help the paint coat adhere. Be careful not to sand too harshly on the edges or you risk chipping away the top layer of the laminate.

Prepare the Primer

Picking the right primer will save you time by eliminating the need for many coats of paint.

• Use a gray primer if you plan on painting dark-colored particleboard.
• Use a white primer if you plan on painting light-colored particleboard.

In a pinch, you can use some of the paint to tint the primer. For instance, white primer can be tinted with the new paint to create the proper shade for painting black particleboard.

Apply Primer

After sanding the item, apply the primer to the surfaces. It's tempting to skip right to the painting, especially if you're using chalk paint. However, resist the urge and take the time to add a coat of primer. This step makes it more likely that the new paint will last.

Though you can use a roller to apply the primer, using a paintbrush to apply a thin coat will help ensure the primer gets into every crevice. Make sure to let the primer dry completely before applying any paint. Wait a full 24 hours before going on to the top coat of paint.

Lightly Sand the Surfaces

Before applying paint, lightly sand the primer layer. This will ensure that the top coat goes on smoothly and sticks well. After sanding, remove any dust with a lint-free rag.

Apply Paint

If possible, use a fine finish roller to paint particleboard furniture. This tool will ensure that the final finish is smooth and doesn't show obvious brush strokes. (However, if you like the texture created by brush strokes, then, by all means, use a paintbrush; You'll need to use one anyway to cut in corners that a roller won't reach.)

While painting, watch the edges for any paint drips and use a brush to wipe them away before the paint begins to dry.

Depending on the paint, one coat may cover the surfaces adequately. But the best result is often achieved if you apply two or even three coats of paint in thin, uniform layers. If you need a subsequent coat, be sure to let the first coat dry completely before applying the next one. A very light sanding between coats will help with adhesion.