Should you sand furniture before painting it with chalk paint? This is the one question I get asked most often and my answer is, it depends. While many chalk paint brands say their paint doesn't require sanding, I always err on the side of caution, especially considering I sell my pieces.

Having said that, there are some instances where I absolutely won't sand. So today I'm finally sharing helpful tips on how to prep furniture for chalk paint from A to Z. I hope you find them helpful and it answers any questions you may have.

Helpful Tips On How To Prepare Furniture For Chalk Paint

Whether you are about to paint your first piece of furniture or have a few pieces under your belt, I hope you learn something new in this tutorial.

I have a workshop in the basement of our home. I also live in the Canadian prairies where our winters are long so good ventiliation is always a challenge.

For these reasons, I try to always use low to no VOC (volatile organic compound) products. Hence the reason why chalk-style paint is my preference for painting furniture.

I've included links to my go-to makeover products throughout this tutorial. They contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the furniture painting tutorial, almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

We'll start from the very beginning, cleaning your new found treasure.

Tip 1 - Cleaning The Furniture

Vacuum all the cobwebs inside, underneath, and on the back. Wipe down all the surfaces with a damp rag. My preference for cleaning furniture is 1 part white vinegar to two parts warm water with a drop of dawn dish soap.

Tip 2 - Remove The Drawers And Doors

Some people prefer to keep the doors and drawers in place when painting furniture. Unless the piece is really old and there is a chance of not getting the hardware lined up again, I always remove them. This way it is easier to paint the frame around the drawers.

But before you remove them, always label the back of each drawer with chalk or painter's tape so you know which belongs where. Trust me, those drawers may all look the same size but oftentimes they don't go back in the same way.

Tip 3 - Remove The Hardware

Unless you plan on painting the original hardware (which I've been known to do on occasion), remove the knobs, pulls, and hinges. Place them in a tray or small container so they don't get lost.

Tip 4 - Raise The Furniture Off The Ground

Raise the furniture off the ground so it's easier to paint along the bottom. My preference is these 3-wheel furniture dollies which allow you to easily move the furniture around as you work. Another stationary option is raising it onto blocks of wood or paint cans.

If you suffer from back or knee pain like I do, a hydraulic rolling mechanic stool will be your best friend. Raise and lower it as needed and scoot around the furniture as you work. No more constantly getting up and down or kneeling on a hard floor.

Pro-Tip

You'll want a stool with a stem that doesn't restrict how far it can be lowered.

Tip 5 - Fill Any Scratches, Dents, And Imperfections

Fill any holes, deep scratches, and dents with a non-shrinking filler compound.

Tip 6 - Do NOT Sand Furniture If:

1. You suspect it may have been painted with lead paint. Painted pieces from the late 70s and back are more likely to contain lead. There are lead test kits available should you want to test first. I personally err on the side of caution unless I'm 100% certain.
2. It has a smooth Arborite or high gloss enamel finish.
3. The wood is red oak, walnut, cherry, or mahogany. Sanding will open the grain and cause the tannins in the wood to bleed through the paint, especially if you plan on painting a light color.

Tip 7 - How To Prep Furniture That CAN'T Be Sanded

For smooth Arborite or high gloss enamel surfaces, always prime first with either a brush or foam roller. My go-to primers are Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 Primer or Slick Stick.

To hide stubborn stains or wood-prone to cause paint bleed, use a stain-blocking primer like Zinsser Stain Blocking Primer Plus or BOSS, especially if you're painting a light color or white. If pink or brown stains appear after the first coat of paint, apply another coat of primer in those areas.

Tip 8 - How To Prep Furniture That CAN Be Sanded

You'll notice the photos included in this post is of a previously painted piece. I knew it was safe to sand because I was the one who painted it many years ago with latex paint.

Wrap 150-grit sandpaper around a sanding pad and lightly sand to give the paint some bite.

You may need to bring out the big guns and sand with either an orbital sander, palm sander, or mouse sander.

My preference is a mouse sander because I like how it feels in my hands, it can easily get into tight corners, and I feel like I have more control. However, if it's a large piece, I'll use an orbital or palm sander.

You can see in the photo above that my mouse sander is well used and I've since bought this mouse sander and love it.

Tip 9 - Remove Sanding Dust

Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth to remove the sanding dust. Then to remove the fine dust particles use a tack cloth.

Tip 10 - Cover The Hardware Holes On The Drawers

Cover the hardware holes on the inside of the drawer with painter's tape. This way paint won't seep inside the holes and either clog them or seep inside the drawer.

Now you're ready for the fun part, paint!

Tip 11 - The Fingernail Test

Should you decide to heed the paint brand's claim that their paint does not require sanding first, here is a helpful tip to test whether it bonded well. After 24-hours, scratch the paint with your fingernail and if it comes off, then you need to do more prep.

For more helpful furniture and home decor upcycle tips visit my tutorials page.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you found these furniture makeover tips helpful. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

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