How Did You Paint That?

This is probably the number one question I get--how did you paint that, what is your paint technique?  Honestly, I am not sure I have a technique, but I will attempt to share with you what I do.  However, I do have a disclaimer: I have been painting furniture for a dozen years.  My style or technique has evolved and changed and developed over those years, and I am sure it will continue to do so.  I also believe that I might have a knack for it, it comes easily and naturally to me--how I paint a particular thing is often a feeling or instinct.  So, with that said, here you go:

I am showing this on a piece of pallet wood--all wood and furniture is different and take the paint and stain differently.  As I discovered with my accidental finish on my pallet coat hook shelf, if at first you don't succeed, keep playing and trying.  I sand the wood usually a little before painting to get some of the rough spots off, but not too much as the roughness helps add to the character.  I most often use what is called a chip brush.  These are inexpensive, natural bristle brushes that cost under $1.  I like them because they do not cover completely, and are cheap enough to replace as needed.

As I have said many times, I slap some paint on.  I usually paint several boards at once, starting with the lightest color of paint I am using.

 

I do not clean off my brush between colors, but I do brush it on wood until most of the color is gone.  I do use a different brush for red or if the colors aren't going to blend well. Hint-- I keep a separate brush that I use only for red paint in case it doesn't get completely cleaned out.

I wait a bit for the paint to dry.  It isn't always completely dry when I paint the next layer, it depends on how impatient I am. I only painted 2 layers for this tutorial, but I have done up to 5. I do not completely cover up the first layer.   For my pieced pallet things I have being painting mostly just one color since they are so colorful.

When the paint is dry (again, mostly dry anyway), I sand it--sometimes a lot, sometimes very little.  I most often us an 80 grit sandpaper or whatever is on the sander.  

Here is how much I sanded this piece of wood:

I then use a stain, sometimes a wax, over the top.  I have found some of the pallet wood takes the stain really dark so I have been using something a little lighter like Early American or Provincial.  I ran out of those a few days ago, so I am using dark walnut.

I cover the paint/piece of wood completely.  Notice, I use a chip brush for this too.  Wipe the brush off on a rag and one will last you several months. 

After putting on the stain, I wipe it off with a rag (a piece of an old t-shirt).  Note--stain rags should be put in a bucket of water and not reused.  I throw them out on trash day.  A friend's garage caught on fire from 4 stain rags left on a pile of trash--use caution!!  And drumroll please...the finished results:

I do not always put a clear finish on my pieces.  However, have I mentioned that I might be impatient at times?  I often use a clear spray to finish pieces because it dries the stain just about instantly.  I also use a finish if it is an outdoor piece. 

Some of you have asked what colors of paint I use.  Honestly, it changes always--sometimes I use cans of latex I have and sometimes I grab some craft acrylic paint.  I often mix colors that I have bits of.  If you see a particular color you want to know about, leave me a comment and I will let you know if it has an actual color name I can give you :).  Hope this helps.