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Tips and Techniques / SOUL DECOR PAINTS FAQ
Soul Decor Paints is a premier paint company providing you with our very own NZ made decorative paint.
Create incredible furniture statement pieces simply by painting your old and outdated furniture. Whether you’re refurbishing your own furniture or a piece you have bought the results will be the same. Painting furniture isn’t hard, but it can be intimidating if you haven’t done it before. We hope this guide will give you the courage to give it a go.
Soul Decor Paints is proudly manufactured in New Zealand.
Soul Decor Paints is proudly manufactured in New Zealand.
Soul Decor Paints is an environmentally friendly paint. It contains no harmful chemicals, making it safe for children’s furniture and our environment.
Touch dry 20-30 min; this can vary due to climate and the thickness of application
Because of its versatility, you can paint anything from plant pots and sheds to back doors and plastic garden furniture. Soul Decor Paints will adhere easily to almost any sound surface. We do not recommend sealing your paint if you are using the paint for an exterior application; this allows the moisture to pass through the paint.
Yes, you can use Soul Decor Paints in a spray gun BUT you will need to thin it out with 20%- 25% water. It is important to also check the manufactuers instructions for the sprayer as they may have recommendations that will guide you too the correct mix.
If you are painting a piece that has a shiny finish then you will need to sand with a fine (180-220 grit) sandpaper. Sanding dulls the surface, this will give the paint a better surface to adhere to. also have the option to use a primer as a base coat A primer preps the surface and seals any stains so that the paint adheres well, and you’ll get the smoothest, cleanest finish possible.
If you decide to not use a base coat then after your first coat of paint leave it for 24 hours before applying the next. This will allow the curing process to begin, and promote adhesion.
This stage should not be skipped. Chalk paint is highly pigmented; over time, those pigments will naturally settle on the bottom of the can. To evenly distribute the pigment leave the can upside down for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the lid and stir thoroughly.
Our paint is thicker than other paints. If you are wanting to achieve a smooth finish you do have the option to thin it out by adding water. Pour the required amount of paint for your project into a separate container and add small controlled amounts of water (5-10%) stir thoroughly. You don’t want the paint to be runny or dripping from your brush. Another option is keeping your brush damp by spraying water on it when it starts to feel like you are dry brushing.
Typically all you need is a clean surface, but if you want to prepare your surface with the best foundation possible, a light scuff with 180 grit sandpaper will be adequate for most projects.
This doesn’t mean pulling out your electric sander. Instead, most of the time a simple, quick hand sanding will be sufficient.
There are lots of people that still like to sand on a sound surface; it comes down to a personal preference. We recommend giving all surfaces light sand for better results.
Cleaning your furniture first is so crucial so don’t skip this step! The grime, dust, dirt and fingerprints, and other stains that accumulate over time will show up in your finish if you don’t clean well.
Avoid using anything that has chemicals in it generally warm water and washing detergent or sugar soap is all you need to use.
After you clean, give it a final wipe down with clean water.
Certain surfaces will require extra prep work, such as laminate, raw wood, or surfaces with loose peeling paint. Glass and ceramic surfaces should be wiped down using rubbing alcohol.
Rough surface -When your piece has deep scratches, gouges or an uneven finish, it must be filled and sanded.
Loose or peeling veneer- If your piece has a veneer, carefully check to make sure none of the veneer is loose or peeling. Any loose veneer needs to be fixed or removed before painting. Veneer will need a lot more prep work.
Oily Surfaces -If your piece has an oily finish that has been repeatedly cleaned with a pledge or just has a super slick and shiny surface, your paint may not adhere as well.
Metal and plastic-If you are painting a piece that has a shiny finish such as metal or plastic, we recommend using fine-grit sandpaper, lightly sand your piece so it dulls the surface, Paint your first coat and let it dry for 24 hours before applying the next. This will allow the curing process to begin, and promote adhesion.
Hardware changes- Sometimes, the existing hardware leaves an indentation in the wood. If you’re planning to change the hardware, you’ll want to smooth out those indentations, so they’re not visible around the new hardware.
Most woods can be easily painted. However, there are a few special types that can cause a condition called ‘bleed through’.Bleed-through on wood furniture is the tannins or stains of the wood coming through the paint layer. It can happen right away after the first coat of paint or sometimes it waits until you seal the furniture.
If this happens, stop painting and allow the paint to dry first before covering the affected area and the surface around it with a stain blocker such as Soul Decor Block and Prime, it will seal the affected area allowing you to continue painting.
There are so many old furniture pieces out there just waiting for a makeover! Here are common places to find old furniture to paint:
Know the dimension of your area
There’s nothing worse than purchasing thrift store furniture only to find out that the furniture piece you purchased doesn’t fit in your home. Shop smart and take a measuring tape with you.
Look for structural damage
Open up drawers, sit in chairs, lean on the furniture and inspect the piece carefully. Don’t worry about little fixes like small gauges, scratches, missing hardware, and loose drawer railings- even a beginner can repair those problems easily. Whatever kind of damage you see, be confident that you or someone else can fix it.
Think outside the box
Repurpose an old dresser and use it as a bathroom vanity. Create a custom cabinet and a media console by separating and transforming the top and bottom sections of a china hutch.
We recommend working at “room temperature.” Painting indoors will always give you better temperature control and less chance of dust or insects landing on your piece while the paint is drying.
Make sure you have windows or fans to help move the air during the drying time.
Natural light works best but more than often you will find yourself painting into the night so make sure you have good lighting.
If you’re painting furniture and the whole piece sits on the floor, then place some bricks or wood under it. This will stop your paint brush or roller from skimming along the drop cloth. When a drop cloth is covered in paint it will harden and stick to your piece.
Prep work is so important when painting a dresser. Don’t rush the process or you’ll end up with a careless-looking end result. To start, carefully remove all drawer pulls using a screwdriver and empty all the drawers.
Often when it’s time to start putting things back together you will find that the drawers don’t fit back the same way, or you don’t remember which drawer goes where. To avoid this frustration label underneath each drawer so you know exactly where it goes when you have finished your project.
Once your first coat of paint dries lightly hand sand to smooth out any imperfections or dust that has dried on the wet surface. Use a 700 grit when sanding in between coats.
Sanding in between coats will help you achieve a smooth finish before sealing. This is also the best time to correct any drips that may have occurred after applying your first coat.
Your brush doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does need to have certain qualities. The bristles should be fairly long and flexible with a little bounce to allow you to be expressive in your work. Avoid brushes with bristles that are soft, short and too hard.
When you brush on your paint, use a light hand, holding your brush at a 45-degree angle to your surface. To help avoid brush marks, keep your brush damp and always use long continuous strokes.
Before using your brush flick the bristles back and forth to remove dust that may be trapped in the brush. Keep a spray bottle next to you to lightly moisten the brush when it starts to feel like you are dry painting. If you need to take a break pop your brush into a plastic bag such as a zip lock bag or a baggy brush bag, this will keep your brush moist. Clean your brush in warm water with mild soap until the water runs clear. Hang your brush to dry with the bristles facing downwards
Use a mild soap, be sure to wring most of the paint out of the brush before cleaning. Then place the bristles under lukewarm water and clean your brush until the water runs clear. Always hang your brush, so the bristles are facing down.
UPCYCLING MADE EASY