How to Use Touch-Up Paint on Furniture

Written By
Lauren Wise
Lauren Wise
Published: Apr 16, 2009
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

Furniture such as chairs, tables, bed frames and dressers endure wear and tear over the years, but just because it is old doesn't mean it has to appear that way. With easy painting techniques to touch up chipped or worn-away paint on furniture, you can make your furniture look brand new again and increase the longevity of its life.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Primer
  • Tarp/Garbage Bags
  • Scraper
  • Furniture That Needs Areas Repainted
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint That Matches Paint Color On Furniture
  • Paint Brush Or Rollers
  • Gloves
  • Area To Paint
  • Lay out the furniture you want to touch up with paint on taped together garbage bags or a tarp so that you do not get paint on other areas where it could stain. Do this in an open ventilated area, such as a garage.

    Take the sandpaper and carefully and lightly sand the area that needs to be touched up with paint. Smooth out the edges and get any splinters or chips of wood off of the furniture. Sand a little bit onto the edges of paint that is still on the furniture so the transition between the new paint and old will blend more easily.

    Dip a paintbrush (or roller, depending how large the touch-up area is on the furniture) into the primer. Carefully paint primer over the area that needs to be touched up. Only paint one layer. Let dry.

    Dip a new paintbrush into the matching paint for the furniture's touch-up area. Carefully use downward strokes, evenly coating the paint over the touch-up area. Slide the paint slightly over the original paint that is already on the furniture, around the touch-up area. Paint one coat. Let dry. If necessary, add a second coat. This depends upon the paint color and size of touch-up area.

    Let dry. If necessary, use the sandpaper to very lightly touch up the edges of the new touch-up paint to blend in better to the original paint.

    Lauren Wise

    Lauren Wise has more than eight years' experience as a writer, editor, copywriter and columnist. She specializes in food, wine, music and pop culture. Her writing has appeared in various magazines, including "Runway," "A2Z," "Scottsdale…

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