Hardboard, also referred to as chipboard, is a material made from wood chips pressed together and bound with synthetic resin. It is a cheap building material used in construction for home exteriors, flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Hardboard is also commonly covered with gesso or canvas and used by acrylic and oil painters as a painting surface. Before painting, hardboard must be prepped and primed if changing the color of the hardboard. If it's a new piece of hardboard, you can go straight to painting.
Prepping
Lift and remove any loose or peeling paint gently, using a paint scraper. Gently press the paint scraper into the wood and move downward to scrape paint. Do not dig or gouge into the hardboard.
Combine three parts warm water to one part household bleach in a bucket. Use a sponge to rub on any mildew on the hardboard. Let the mixture work into the hardboard for 20 minutes. Add more solution as needed to remove mildew, if necessary. Use a cloth dampened in cool water to wash away the bleach solution once all mildew is removed.
Mix 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap per every cup of warm water in a bucket. Dip a sponge in the mixture and clean the hardboard. Remove any dirt, dust and debris from the wood. Use a cloth dampened in cool water to remove soap residue.
Priming
Pour latex primer into a paint tray. Depending on the size of the item you are painting, dip a paintbrush or paint roller into the paint. Roll or paint over the textured portion of a paint tray to remove excess primer.
Prime the hardboard. Beginning at the top of the hardboard, slowly paint downward in a long, even stroke. Continue until the hardboard is covered in a layer of primer. Allow the hardboard to dry.
Add a second layer of primer, if needed.
Painting
Pry open the paint can with a butter knife. Use a paint mixing stick to stir the paint thoroughly. Pour the paint into a paint tray.
Dip a paintbrush or roller into the paint, depending on the size of the object to be painted. Roll or paint over the textured portion of a paint tray to remove excess primer.
Paint the hardboard. Beginning at the top of the hardboard, slowly paint downward in a long, even stroke. Continue until the hardboard is covered in a layer of paint. Allow the paint to dry.
Add two to three coats of paint depending on desired color.
Things You'll Need:
- Paint scraper
- Bleach
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Cloth
- Liquid dish soap
- Paint tray
- Paintbrush or roller
- Paint stir stick
- Primer
- Acrylic latex paint
Tip
Hardboard does not need to be primed if it is new, or if the existing paint is in excellent, smooth condition. Also, primer may need to be used if you are changing the paint color from a dark color to a much lighter color or painting over a color that may bleed through the new color, such as red.
Depending on the desired finish, use a latex paint with a flat, semigloss or satin finish. A flat or matte finish has no sheen to the paint once it dries. It is commonly used on walls and home exteriors. A semigloss finish has a subtle shine. It is commonly used to paint interior doors, door frames and window frames. A satin finish has a smooth, glossy look. It is commonly used as a decorative finish on items you wish to pop or make a statement, such as furniture, door and window frames and cabinets.
Tips
- Hardboard does not need to be primed if it is new, or if the existing paint is in excellent, smooth condition. Also, primer may need to be used if you are changing the paint color from a dark color to a much lighter color or painting over a color that may bleed through the new color, such as red.
- Depending on the desired finish, use a latex paint with a flat, semigloss or satin finish. A flat or matte finish has no sheen to the paint once it dries. It is commonly used on walls and home exteriors. A semigloss finish has a subtle shine. It is commonly used to paint interior doors, door frames and window frames. A satin finish has a smooth, glossy look. It is commonly used as a decorative finish on items you wish to pop or make a statement, such as furniture, door and window frames and cabinets.
Writer Bio
Kallie Johnson began her writing career in 2009, contributing to various online publications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She enjoys writing home and garden topics and considers herself an expert on do-it-yourself home improvement topics.
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