D-I-Y Weekend Project - Stripping and Painting Furniture

Do you have a piece of furniture that's been languishing in the garage or basement because you just can't bear to look at five layers of peeling paint that date back to who knows when? Well, now is the perfect time to turn that eyesore into a work of art. Even if you don't know a hacksaw from a jigsaw, you can still become a weekend do-it-yourself warrior and enjoy the results of your labor. Not everything around the house has to turn into an episode of Home Improvement, complete with demolition crews! Here's a look at a D-I-Y task that requires a weekend (or less) to finish.

Here's what you'll need to refinish painted furniture:

* Chemical stripper

* Mineral spirits

* Natural-bristle paint brushes

* Scraping and scrubbing tools

* Sandpaper or circular sander

* Protective gloves, apron and maskMost home improvement stores stock several different kinds of stripper.

The fastest-acting ones are also the most dangerous. They contain methylene chloride, which is great for eating through layers of paint, but can be hazardous to your health. Make sure you read the labels carefully. The safest stripper is also the slowest (may take up to 24 hours to work) but it can be used without gloves or special ventilation and doesn't have the harmful side effects associated with fast strippers.Once you've assembled your tools, it's time to prep the furniture. Make sure it doesn't need repairs and remove any hardware. If desired, you can replace the hardware to give the piece a fresh look.Now it's time to apply the stripping agent. It usually comes in a paste or liquid, depending on type and brand. Even if you're using a slow-acting stripper that doesn't require special ventilation, make sure you're working in an area with adequate ventilation, such as the garage. Line the floor with newspaper or something similar for protection. Apply the stripper using a cut-down paint brush, following the instructions on the label.If you're using a methylene chloride-based stripper, the paint should begin to bubble and blister. The slower-acting stripper may have to work overnight. If the paint is extremely stubborn, you can carefully scratch the surface to help the stripper reach the wood. Make sure you keep applying stripper though, or you'll damage the wood underneath.Once the stripper does its job, you can use a putty knife to scrape the paint off as well as coarse steel wool. You may have to apply a second coating of stripper. For wood pieces with carvings, a scrub brush works well to get paint out of crevices.After all traces of paint have been removed, use mineral spirits to rinse off the remaining stripper. If this isn't done, the chemicals in the stripper can react with the new paint finish. Once you're finished rinsing, properly dispose of any remaining stripper or sludge. Follow the manufacturer's recommend instructions - do not pour down a drain or dump outside.Then it's time to sand. Depending on the piece, 100-grit sandpaper may be all you need. Otherwise, an orbital sander will do the job. Make sure you wipe the piece down to remove all particles before you paint.Now comes the fun part - painting. Paint from the top down, starting with primer first, and then paint. A satin or semi-gloss in either an oil or latex-based paint works best (use oil-based primer with oil-based paint). Let it dry, then apply another coat if needed. Once you've finished painting, brush on a polyurethane coating to seal and protect the piece, and voila! You have a brand-new piece of furniture thanks to a little bit of work and time.