How To Paint Anything

I thought I would share with you some helpful information I got from diyideas.com. I am notorious for painting things to give them a different look. I have a whole bunch of things in my garage just waiting for a "face lift." I thought I would wait until we move to decide on paint colors, but to be honest, I'm getting antsy to get the projects done!


Metal - Clean the surface with a stiff wire brush to remove flaking paint or rust. Wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry. Spray with metal primer and let dry. Use a paint specially formulated with rust inhibitors. Apply several thin coats of paint. If using spray paint, hold the can about 10-12 inches from the surface as you spray. Shake the can during the application to keep the color mixed. Spray lightly to avoid paint runs.

Glass - Start with a clean, dry surface. If you want to use a pattern, tape it to the inside of the glass. With an artist's brush, follow your pattern, applying a thin layer of glass paint; this will yield a translucent, stained-glass look. For a more opaque finish, apply an additional coat after the first is dry. Paint slowly and gently to avoid bubbles. Using an artist's brush, seal the design with glass-paint varnish. If you're going for a pretty, frosted-glass appeal, use a varnish with a matte finish.

Wood Furniture - If the surface is already painted or varnished, remove dirt or wax buildup with a household cleaner, then rinse. Sand rough areas and wipe away dust with a tack cloth. Apply two coats of stain-blocking primer and allow it to dry between coats. Roll or brush on two coats of latex paint in the direction of the wood grain. Use a brush to finish the surface with smooth strokes. Spray with clear polyurethane for extra protection.

Ceramic - Sand the surface lightly to ensure paint adhesion. Clean the surface with trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner to remove grease and dirt. When dry, apply a bonding or ceramic primer. Let the primer dry. Brush on latex paint in a gloss or semigloss finish. You also can use a paint formulated for ceramic or porcelain surfaces. Allow the paint to dry for several days and take care not to scratch the paint while it’s curing.

Trim - Apply caulk to fill gaps between the trim and wall. Use a nail set and hammer to push nailheads below the wood's surface. Slightly overfill nail holes and dents with wood filler. Sand smooth when dry. Prime the trim. Paint vertical pieces with vertical strokes and horizontal pieces with horizontal strokes. Work on each piece from the bottom up.

There are some more helpful tips on how to paint fabric and rugs, but that doesn't interest me, so therefor I've decided you can be interested in them either. HA! Just kidding... Check em out - diyideas.com