Step 1: Start disassembling your IKEA furniture.
When you set out to paint IKEA furniture, start by removing all the removable pieces. This includes things like shelves and doors (components that are easier to paint separately) and hardware, like hinges and knobs. Label each piece as you put it aside so once finished you know what goes where.
Step 2: Clean off any dirt and grime that has accumulated on the furniture.
Next, use a clean cloth to wipe down all surfaces with a mixture of warm water and a small amount of dishwashing detergent. The objective here is to eliminate any built up dirt. When you clean particleboard, be very careful not to saturate the material. Clean only the laminate portion of the furniture, not the pressed wood. Once you’re done, drape a dry cloth over the piece to remove any remaining soap residue.
Step 3: Sand all sides to paint.
After giving the IKEA furniture enough time to dry completely, proceed to sand the surface with 120- or 140-grit sandpaper. Here, rub the laminate hard enough so that first primer coat Can follow. Avoid sanding too aggressively, which may leave the surface uneven or damage the particle board.
Step 4: Cover with oil-based paint primer.
When you’re finished sanding, wipe the sanding dust off the furniture and vacuum the work area so the dust can’t return. Now, with a quality paintbrush, apply a coat of oil-based primer and let it dry.
Tried and True Advice
“IKEA furniture is somewhat unique in that it is sold in a set of individual pieces that the user can assemble themselves when they get the package home. This means it can be taken apart again quickly, which is great if you’re repainting old furniture, as painting all the pieces separately is the best way to ensure That each of them gets a nice, even coat.
I’ve found that the problem comes when it comes time to reassemble the whole thing. Although it’s not the most complicated process in the world, IKEA furniture assembly can feel like a puzzle, as anyone who has had to put together one of the brand’s designs has probably experienced. Naturally, it helps to have the instructions to hand, and so whenever I buy a new IKEA product I make sure to save the included documentation. Diagrams and assembly manuals for many of IKEA’s products can also be found online, which is great if you’ve already lost – as I always have, despite my best efforts – that document.
,chase brushContributing Writer
Step 5: Apply a second coat of primer and wait for it to dry completely.
Sand the furniture a second time, this time with 400-grit. sandpaperClean sawdust from furniture and work area before applying the second coat of primer. Be sure to wait a few days or a week for the primer to completely cure before you proceed to the next step.
Step 6: Lightly sand and paint the Ikea furniture.
Lightly sand the primed surfaces with medium-grit sandpaper, wipe off sanding dust, then apply the first coat of paint in the color of your choice. Do this in a thin layer, allowing a day or two to dry.
Step 7: Apply a second coat of paint and reassemble the furniture.
Lightly sand the first coat of paint, wipe off sanding dust, then brush on the second, final coat. Give it a few days to dry, reassemble the furniture, replace the hardware, and you’re done.
