Feb

Steps to Beautifully Painted Flea-Market Finds

By admin

Even the designers on TV are doing it; finding great furnishing at flea-markets, charity shops,
and yard sales. Often, a wonderful piece of furniture can be had for mere dollars, especially if
its finish is in desperate need of some TLC. Unfortunately, the design shows on TV do not show you
all the proper steps for refreshing your finds. Take the time to do it right, and your new
furniture will have friends wondering where you shop!

1. Safety first: Before you disturb any painted surface, you should think about the possibility of
lead. Lead paint additives were phased out in the 1970s and 80s. If you suspect lead is present
in any paint, you can find information about safety precautions and testing at www.epa.gov/lead,
or by calling the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. Even with newer surfaces, I
find that a dust mask is always in order when sanding. Your lungs will thank you.

2. Sanding: Not all pieces will require sanding before repainting. My mantra is to leave well
enough alone when dealing with old paint surfaces. If, however, the paint is chipped, peeling,
crackling, or has other problems, you might not be able to avoid the sandpaper. A small electric
hand sander is my best friend for these situations. A very light sanding (really just scuffing)
can help your new paint adhere to old oil paint or a glossy surface.

3. Prep, prep, prep: The number one reason for paint failures is incorrect preparation. Time spent
on prep will ensure you get a good result in the end. Make sure the surface is completely clean
and dust free before you ever get the paint out of the can. If you have sanded the surface, remove
dust with a tack cloth. This is a small piece of cheesecloth soaked in wax, available at your
local home improvement store in the paint section. They cost around one dollar

Originally posted 2009-08-06 13:35:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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