This headboard is part of the guest bedroom project, but I should let you know that I'm going a little out of order by doing this first. There's no specific order you have to follow with your project but I generally like to wait to paint furniture until I at least have paint on the walls just so I can be sure that the color I'm about to paint it works with the entire room. But alas, it's December in Indiana and it's pretty cold but every once in a while we'll get a 55 degree day so I have to take advantage of the sun and temp when I can.
Here I have a full size brass headboard that I bought on Craigslist for $15- you can end up paying over $150 if you buy one at the furniture store, and around $80-$100 at the consignment shops so Craigslist was the way to go with this one. This is an example of having a good idea of what you want but looking for something close to that idea that you can easily change to fit your room.
While there's no specific order you must follow with your project, there are a few steps you need to follow when you spray paint.
Step 1- No matter what material you're working with (metal, wood, plastic, glass, etc) you should always take the time to wash or wipe it down before you start. If you paint over dust and chips of paint you won't get an even coat and/or pieces could flake off revealing the original color.
Step 2- Dry your furniture completely. Painting over water or soap can have the same effects on spray paint. Be mindful of what you use to dry your piece, for example, I wouldn't use paper towel to dry something with a rough wood surface because it will shred. I like to stick with micro fiber towels and soft washcloths for cleaning things that are about to get painted.
Step 3- Depending on what you're painting you may need to put on a coat of primer* before you paint it your desired color. Primer creates a clean, matte surface to spray paint over which not only gives the spray paint something to adhere to, but it also helps prevent your spray paint from chipping off. I don't use primer on everything but I do recommend it for painting over metal, plastic, glass, or any surface that is glossy or slick. There's nothing more irritating than getting the perfect coat of paint on your furniture only to have it scrape off if anything rubs up against it.
Your coat of primer doesn't have to be perfect, just make sure the entire surface is covered, that there aren't any drips or scrapes, and that it's completely dry before the next step.
*Primer is a flat, gray paint that is applied to many surfaces before they are painted, to ensure adhesion and durability
Step 4-Test your spray paint on newspaper or cardboard to be sure that the can sprays correctly. Then test your paint in an inconspicuous area on the furniture to make sure that it adheres to the surface well, and to make sure the color you're using is the color you want.
Step 5- Apply your first coat of your spray paint. Like the can says- hold the can 7-12 inches away from the surface and spray back and forth in small sweeping coats. The key to the perfect coating of spray paint is to coat it in thin layers. Your first layer of spray paint may not look like much, it may even look like a few random specks of paint depending on the color you're using... take a close look and if you can clearly see that there is a thin layer of paint on the surface then there's nothing to worry about, but if you look closely and it doesn't look like there's any paint then try spraying on another light coat. Make sure each coat dries completely before applying additional coats of paint.
This is half of a first coat of spray paint on the primed headboard. The temp dropped down pretty drastically when the sun went down so I had to stop, but it's a good example of the first coat to primer ratio. The primer is still clearly visible and the spray paint is very thin, but there is a clear difference between the two. That's how I know that my first coat is a good thickness. Spraying on layers that are too thick can cause drips and an uneven finish, so don't get impatient- allow your paint plenty of time to dry between coats, and don't be too aggressive with the thickness of your coats.
Step 6- Apply additional coats of spray paint (after each coat dries, of course) until it is completely covered. The amount of layers you'll have to apply really depends on the surface you're painting, the kind of paint you're using, and the color you're using, among other things.
Step 7- Once your final layer is dry, inspect the piece for any imperfections. Check to make sure that there are no bare spots and that the finish is even. Fixing these issues are easy, but you'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you thoroughly inspect your work before you place it in the room. Fixing any bare areas before you fix an uneven finish will save you some time too as your finish may become uneven after you fill in any bare areas. If there are bare spots, spray over them lightly in a back and forth sweeping motion (like regular spray painting, and in thin layers) until you can see the paint covering the area. Filling in bare spots should be done in thin layers as well. Evening out the finish is one of the easiest fixes you can do. If your final product looks splotchy or uneven just take the (same color) spray paint and spray one or two quick layers over the entire piece in a large back and forth sweeping motion to lightly cover the entire piece with one layer. Let this layer dry and inspect it again when it's dry.
Final Step- This is the hardest step to follow, but it's an important one for sure. Once your final coat of paint is dry it's best to let your piece set for 24 hours (or overnight) before incorporating it into your room. I know, I know, you just spent all afternoon spraying on layer after layer of paint and you had to wait for them to dry in between too! Well calm down, you don't have to wait 24 hours, but it definitely helps your paint set and cure.
So there you have it- a refinished brass headboard! Not a bad project for a balmy afternoon, right? And I'm one step closer toward having the perfect guest bedroom...
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Just some extra info and tips:
Brand power- Although I like to go cheap when it comes to primer, I don't mind spending a few extra dollars on good spray paint when I know I'll be saving big money on other items. I like to stick to Krylon (dries in 10 min), Rustoleum, and Valspar. I'm not usually one to pick name brands over generic but using the cheap spray paint is a pain. It doesn't cover well, takes forever to dry, and it's nearly impossible to get an even finish with it. Plus, these brands offer a ton of colors and finishes, and their websites offer cool project ideas you can do with spray paint.
Touch 'n' tone primer- $1.29 or less @ Walmart. Krylon fusion hammered look spray paint- $4.49 @ Walmart
Another tip-
This thing is one of the best spray paint purchases I've ever made. This is a spray nozzle for spray paint cans, you just clip it onto the top of your can and it gives you a handle to hold on to and it also allows you to paint comfortably with the pull of a trigger instead of having to use the tip of your finger to keep the button depressed. It makes for great precision with your painting and is way easier on the hands. Rustoleum spray paint nozzle- $1.98 to $2.98 @ Walmart.
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