# Repainting Furniture?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repainting-furniture/467166>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 9, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repainting-furniture/467166 "2008-10-09T14:38:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repainting-furniture/467166/1 "2008-10-09T14:38:46Z")

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Anyone with experience re-painting furniture?

I have an inexpensive bedroom set - headboard/footboard, dresser with mirror, and night stand. I **need** to buy new furniture but it is not in the budget right now. I was thinking of re-painting the existing items. I cannot sand and stain them as it is not true wood, it is some type of composite-like stuff. So my thought here was perhaps I could paint it. Of course if I don’t do it right, it will look like arse and I’ll be even worse off than I am currently.

Suggestions and tips?

MeanJoe

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repainting-furniture/467166/2 "2008-10-09T21:57:16Z")

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i would take the items outside, one piece at a time. hit them with sandpaper, then use a primer (in a spray can, much easier) then what ever colour or pattern you want.

spray paint is much easier and faster. you can get nifty stencils or stamps to put a design on. i’ve used all sorts of things, just plain old paint in a can, spray paint with a finish, like rock or speckle, or suede. and spray stain with stencil.

it really does give your furniture a lift.