How To Paint Pressed Wood Furniture

The shape and style of your pressed wood media cabinet, wall system or dresser are still appealing, but the faux wood finish has got to go. Paint is the obvious answer — if the piece can handle a coat of color without bubbling, peeling or falling apart. Transforming that inexpensive bargain into a thing of beauty is possible — and just a weekend away — with the right tools and a light touch.

Pressed wood, or pressed particleboard, is made from leftover wood shavings, sawdust and small particles of wood, coated in a resin and pressed together to form "boards." It's a lightweight, low-cost wood alternative that absorbs water more readily than solid wood. Since it can peel or lose its shape, the pressed wood material is normally covered with a thin sheet of veneer or laminate to hold things together. This surface has a slick finish that paint will not adhere to. Before you can paint pressed wood, you have to rough things up and create some grip. Do it right, and your painted piece may fool even your most discerning friends.

Take a cue from the design of the piece about the best — and most convincing — paint treatment for it. A traditional or country wardrobe or dresser looks solid and suitably vintage in opaque chalk or milk paint. The spare table or bookcase is a bit Zen minimalist in low-gloss white. Your Art Deco wall system is divinely decadent in shiny black or exotically oriental in lacquered cinnabar. The paint job is pretty simple — from prep to polish.

1. Remove all hardware and wipe down the piece

Clean surface dirt and dust to make the sanding job easier. Fill in holes from the hardware if you will replace it with new hardware once the piece is painted. Let any wood filler dry completely before sanding. Disassemble pieces with separate drawers or other removable parts that you will sand and paint separately.

2. Sand gently

Create a rough texture for the new paint to stick to by going over the piece with an orbital sander or medium-grade sandpaper. No vigor necessary — you don't want the laminate or veneer to disappear, and the pressboard to gouge or turn to sawdust. Your objective is removal of the slick smooth finish that will cause a coat of paint to bubble or bead.

3. Wipe and prime

Clean all the dust from the sanded piece with a clean rag or tack cloth. If you use a damp, not wet, sponge, then allow the piece to dry before proceeding. Once it's clean, prime the surface to both seal it and create a new surface the paint can grip. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for letting the primer dry, giving the piece extra drying time in very humid conditions.

4. Paint your masterpiece

Roll, brush or spray on the base coat and any decorative or additional coats of your selected paint, allowing sufficient drying time between coats. The complete job may take multiple coats of paint for a smooth, professional-looking finish. If you see bubbles in the paint as you apply the first coat, or as it starts to set up, that means you didn't sand the underlying veneer adequately and the primer and paint aren't adhering in those areas. You might need to sand those places and give them a do-over.

5. Finish the piece and display it

Apply a protective finish once the piece is completely dry — not strictly necessary — but a good idea for a piece that will see hard use, has intricate faux-finishing or detailing, or is in a heavy traffic area. Replace any hardware you removed before painting and reassemble a piece of furniture you took apart to refinish.