How do I paint flatpack furniture?

well-medicated

Bedroom furniture MFI Schreiber - nearly twenty years old. Thing is, it's a dark mahogany finish, 'cos at the time of buying, it was the one that looked LEAST like flatpack.

Still in perfect condition - but I fancy a change. Fourteen drawers, two wardrobes and three overhead bridging units. I can't afford a new set, but I don't mind spending a wee bit of money to get the right effect, and I don't mind taking my time to get a good finish - I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my work.

So, is there a method to painting the furniture? I fancy something light and don't mind if it means that it looks old-fashioned painted finish, know what I mean?

Do I spray, undercoat, use special paint? Should I use an adhesive-type cover as a bond?

All sensible suggestions gladly considered.

W-M

Forris

Go to your local homebase and check out their 'International' range of specialist paints. They have a paint for every job!

They also have a website here - http://www.international-paints.co.uk/

sallyrsm

first of all, key the surface with sandpaper, then get rid of dust. Use a good primer, International's tile primer is good for this, put it on with a foam roller (not a little furry one) - then you don't need proper melamine paint as the colour range is pretty limited, but I'd use a satinwood - an oil based eggshell or some such. Apply that too with a foam roller - you get no brush marks and the finish you get is very flat, with a very slight 'stipple' - more like a really fine Hammerite or orange peel. I did exactly this on the skanky old kitchen in my old flat and when it was finished with some new handles it looked FABULOUS.
all you have to remember is to treat the melamine like you would any shiny surface - key it, prime it, then use an oil based topcoat for durability.

Good luck with it!!

Peartree

I wouldn't use a specialist melamine paint but would use a melamine primer. Don't go for branded as they are expensive - Wilkinsons and Wickes both do own brand. A serious degreasing is essential and agree on using a gloss roller. After the primer, you can use pretty much any paint you want but I'd usually use an eggshell as it is far more forgiving than gloss if you have the odd lump and bump. You're best trying to build up thin layers with the roller. I've always got really good results - it is a good way of making cheap and nasty look great. I have done this with built in furniture and have just got an eggshell mixed to match the walls so it blends in. I've also managed to make light coloured melamine beech effect shelves look like much more expensive wood by priming, putting on a base coat of dark brown (allowing it to look patch) and then layering on a varnish - although that is probably the last thing you want if you've started with mahogany coloured melamine. I've also painted cheap melamine chests of drawers cream and then 'distressed' them by using antique wax on top.

Seriously though, once you've got the knack, you can buy the cheapest furniture and make it look good by painting and putting on some more expensive knobs. Or you can get a matching look with all sorts of odds and sods of furniture.