Spray Painting A Nightstand: A Step-By-Step Guide
A nightstand can be a big deal. At the end of the day, this piece of furniture accompanies the bed which is one of the main attractions of a bedroom.
Nightstands are basically the knight in shining armor and they should be there to help support the overall decor.
If you have a worn-out nightstand or one that needs a new makeover but you don’t really want to spend money on a brand new expensive nightstand, there is a fantastic smart hack you can use that will add a refreshing new look to any old nightstand.
You may have already seen this but it’s none other than spray painting.
Now, you might be wondering, can you really spray paint a nightstand?
The correct answer is yes. There are many ways to spruce up a nightstand, from spray painting the sides to the top. If you do it right, you can make a nightstand look awesomely out-of-this-world. All you need to get you going is a specific furniture paint in the color of your choice.
You don’t need many supplies like painting equipment or expensive paint to complete this project because this can be done at home without major expenses.
You can easily transform any nightstand with just a coat of paint.
But before you grab that paint can, here are a few things you need to take into consideration:
Table of Contents
Factors to Consider Before Spray Painting a Nightstand
1. Material used to make the nightstand
There are many kinds of materials used to make nightstands.
Brass, wood, glass, plastic, and pressboard are among the popular materials.
Each has a unique finish that you might want to preserve or completely change to give it a new look.
The good news is that most nightstands are made of wood and pressboard, which will work well with most spray paints.
2. Type of spray paint to use
Not all spray paints will work well with your nightstand, so it’s best to check the label before you proceed with the project.
Krylon and Rust-Oleum are two brands of spray paints that have stood the test of time and will work well on, ideally, any surface.
Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Spray Paint (16 color options)
The brands come with different color options to cater to your different painting needs.
Supplies You Need to Get the Job Done
- Protective glasses and mask – Keeps the paint from getting to your eyes
- Gloves – protect your hands from meddling with the paint
- Sandpaper – to smooth any rough bumps and texture
- Sponge
- Painters tape – protect certain areas of the nightstand
How to Spray Paint a Nightstand
For starters, you need to prepare your nightstand. You can do this by sanding down the nightstand’s surface to ensure that no splitters are seen or felt on the woody surface of the nightstand.
Ensure that you leave the surface as smooth as possible.
This will ensure the paint settles well on the surface to give an even coat. To do this, you could use either a sand block, sandpaper, or a sanding machine.
Once you are done with the sanding, use your sponge to wipe off the dust and debris left by the sanding process. This is to ensure that the surface is as smooth as possible.
Next, if you are painting sections of the nightstand or want to use different spray paint colors for your nightstand, get your painter’s tape wrapped accordingly.
The tape works to ensure that you give a clean transition with the different paints.
However, if you plan to paint your entire nightstand using one spray paint color, this can be done effortlessly without using tape.
Painting Guidelines
Step 1
You also need to get a location whereby you will be conducting your spray work. A well-ventilated shed would do since you have to give your nightstand time to air dry after every coat.
I think it’s really important to stress that it’s necessary to spray paint using protective gear (glasses and/or a mask) so that you don’t inhale any toxic paint fumes. At best, make sure to spray paint outside in the open air, away from kids and pets!
Step 2
Before starting your painting work, you must remove every item inside your drawers. After doing so, cover the inside drawers with painter’s tape to prevent paint from seeping into the inner areas of your nightstand.
Step 3
Next, remove the handles of your nightstands by removing screws from them. For this, you need a screwdriver that has the appropriate size for the screws on the handle of your nightstand. This will ensure a smooth painting process since you can’t spray paint over the handles.
Step 4
Depending on the material and type of nightstand, this might require a coat of primer before painting. If the nightstand is metal, this can help provide an extra barrier that will coat and prepare the surface for painting while also preventing damage and rust in the future. But most wooden nightstands do not require priming.
Step 5
Finally, you can start spraying the paint on your nightstand. Ensure that you spray at a distance of 12-15 inches from the surface. If you are using more than one spray paint color, ensure that your nightstand is cool and dry to the touch before spraying another coat. This will prevent cracking due to the paints expanding and contracting at different temperatures.
The best way to spray paint is by covering your nightstand with several coats and waiting between coats to dry. This will allow for the paint to settle and stick well on the surface. You will need about three coats of paint to achieve an elegant, sleek finish.
After you are done, and the layering has dried well, go in with clear spray paint to seal in the paint. This ensures that the newly painted nightstand lasts longer and the paint is less likely to chip.
Is Spray Painting Better Than Brush Painting?
There are times when you will be in a dilemma about whether to spray paint a nightstand or brush paint. Spray painting gives a clearer finish compared to brush painting. It is a quick and easy way to paint. It eludes an elegant, stylish finish to your nightstand, which can easily be mistaken for one that’s been professionally done.
On the other hand, the brush method yields a more organic look to the surface of your nightstand.
Moreover, it can take longer before you get your desired finish. Spray painting also requires less effort compared to brushing on every stroke on a nightstand.
Final Thoughts
Spray painting a nightstand is an easy, simple, and cost-effective way to make any old or worn-out nightstand look brand new.
In fact, a nightstand that is spray painted tends to yield better results than if you were to use a paintbrush.
This gives a smooth, sleek, and professional finish that can fool anyone into thinking you just purchased a brand-new nightstand.
What I love the most about DIY and upcycling projects like this is that you can still achieve satisfying results even without busting the bank.
As long as you make sure your work environment is safe and well-protected, you’re good to go. Also, when working with spray paints, it’s incredibly important you mask up and protect yourself so you don’t inhale any toxic paint fumes.
If need be, before making any changes, you can always consult the help of a professional if you need assurance or extra tips.
Other than that, I hope you have fun spray painting your nightstand.
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