A Guide to Wardrobe Painting

There was a period in time when nearly every piece of furniture you owned was built to withstand generations, with the expectation that it would be repainted or refinished multiple times throughout its lifespan. Painting fitted wardrobes was a crucial step when redecorating. However, this is not always the case anymore, as many modern furniture pieces go their entire existence without a single change in color.

Nowadays, if you have a cheap and simple flat pack wardrobe, it may not last long enough to justify the effort of painting. It is both difficult and pointless to refinish particleboard. However, if you own a painted wardrobe that is showing signs of aging or a varnished pine wardrobe that appears worn out, painting it could give it a new lease on life for decades to come.

So, let's discuss the best approach to painting your wardrobes.

Who would have imagined that a chic IKEA wardrobe transformation could be achieved by painting it with the color '2AM' in an eggshell finish? Check out @the_disco_house on Instagram for inspiration.

The Essential Supplies for Painting Your Wardrobes

Before diving into the project, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials. Don't worry, the list is quite short:

• A suitable primer and paint specifically designed for wardrobe doors
• Sandpaper, and potentially a sanding block
• Personal protective equipment, including safety goggles and a dust mask
• A vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filter
• Sugar soap and a damp cloth for cleaning
• A flat surface to lay out the wardrobe doors horizontally
• A set of screwdrivers to remove the doors

Now that you have gathered your materials, allocate a full day for the project to ensure professional-quality results. Rushing through the process may lead to disappointment.

Prepare Your Workspace

Painting bedroom wardrobes or any large piece of furniture doesn't have to be excessively messy, but it's still painting. Take the necessary steps to prepare your work area and minimize mess and potential issues.

Don't worry, this part won't take up your entire day.

If you are working on an individual piece of furniture, lift it up one side at a time and slide a tarp underneath. Drips are inevitable, and you want to protect your carpet or floor. If you are working on a built-in wardrobe, this may not be feasible. Instead, tuck the tarp or drop cloth in as close as possible to the bottom and consider masking the floor.

Check out @west_london_carpentry on Instagram for inspiration on how to paint the exterior of a wardrobe using the color 'Record Store.'

Remove the drawers, doors, shelves, rails, and any other removable parts or attachments of the wardrobe. Working around them will only create a nightmare. While you're at it, take off all the hardware, including handles, hinges, and other metal components.

You can even get a head start on one of the later steps by placing the drawers on the edge of a worktable, ensuring that the front of the drawer hangs over the edge by at least an inch. This will make painting them much easier in the future.

Revamp Your Closet

Pay close attention to this part! Transforming worn-out wardrobe doors into a professionally finished masterpiece can either be a breeze or a nightmarish disaster. Even if dirt is not visible, it can still affect the application of new paint. Additionally, any oily or waxy residue left behind can prevent the paint from adhering properly. To make matters worse, hidden pockets of grit and dust lurking in the crevices will emerge and ruin your beautifully painted surface. The choice is yours, but we highly recommend cleaning the wardrobe thoroughly.

If the piece is already painted, utilize a cloth, warm water, a bucket, and sugar soap to cleanse it.

For varnished wardrobe doors, employ a cleaner that contains trisodium phosphate (commonly referred to as 'TSP' on the label). If using a TSP-based cleaning product, be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.

Once you have cleaned the wardrobe, it is crucial to allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. During hot and dry summers, this should not pose any problems. However, in cold and/or humid conditions, drying may take a full day or even longer.

Create a Sleek Surface

There are numerous benefits to sanding a wooden surface before painting. Sanding can eliminate shallow scratches and cracks caused by damage or weathering. It can also level the surface to match any worn-down areas. By creating micro-abrasions, sanding provides the ideal surface for new paint to bond to, and it can even remove the top layer of sealant or finish, allowing the paint to penetrate deeper into the wood.

Most importantly, sanding beforehand almost always yields better results. Don't worry, though! We'll introduce more exhilarating ideas for painting your wardrobe later, but they require a smooth and even surface to work their magic.

Put on your breather mask and goggles. Begin with sandpaper ranging from 220- to 120-grit, which is classified as medium to fine grain. This is all you need; anything coarser or more aggressive may damage the wood instead of improving it.

If you encounter deep cracks or gouges, avoid attempting to sand them down. Instead, fill them with Polyfilla or any other gap-filler, allow them to dry, and then sand as usual until you achieve a smooth surface ready for painting.

Apply the Basecoat

Priming wardrobe doors before painting is an absolute necessity, and we'll explain why. Utilizing a high-quality primer like our Multi-Purpose Primer will provide multiple benefits. It protects the wood against moisture, ensures a smoother surface for painting (assuming you didn't skip the sanding step), and guarantees even application of the new color, even if the door has different colors or gap-filled areas.

Choose a fresh brush and a top-notch primer suitable for the type of surface you are painting. Apply a single, thin, and even coat across the entire upper and front surface of the door. If you plan to paint the backs of the doors as well, allow the primer to dry (according to the instructions on the container, but anticipate a minimum of 2 hours), then flip the doors and repeat the process.

The Painting Process: Achieving a Flawless Finish

Once both surfaces have dried completely, ensure that the initial layer of primer appears smooth and uniform. In the event that it is not (especially if there are any drips or bubbles), utilize very fine-grit sandpaper to carefully sand it down. Remember to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing this task.

Painting, Sanding, and Repeating

Assuming you have acquired a sufficient amount of top-notch paint for your wardrobe doors (wink wink), you are now ready to commence the painting process.

Take a look at our impressive range of Eggshell Paint, specifically designed for wood and metal surfaces. Feel free to order samples to personally experience the array of colors we offer.

Initiate the process by evenly and smoothly applying a thin layer of paint to the entire surface you intend to paint. Since using paint rollers for furniture is uncommon, a sturdy brush should suffice.

Similar to the priming step, work on one surface of the doors at a time, allowing them to dry before proceeding to the next. When painting the wardrobe's walls in place, remember to apply a thin layer to the vertical surfaces to prevent any unwanted drips.

Eliminate any imperfections with fine-grit sandpaper, thoroughly remove any residual dust with a cloth, and proceed to apply the second coat in the same manner.

Voilà! Behold, your wardrobe has been flawlessly painted. Just take a look at the stunning color combination used by @west_london_carpentry.

Post-Painting Care

Now that you have achieved a freshly painted wardrobe (shh...no one needs to know), it is crucial to maintain its pristine appearance for as long as possible. Our Eggshell Paint is the perfect solution. Crafted with premium ingredients, it boasts a high-grade quality and a slightly matte finish. This ensures that your wardrobe remains resilient against knocks, scuffs, and scrapes for many years, alleviating concerns about unsightly marks.

To restore your brushes after painting, we recommend using a specialized brush cleaner or good old-fashioned white spirits. By cleaning them before the paint dries and hardens, you can reuse them multiple times.

If you found this information intriguing and have caught the DIY bug, we have plenty more to offer. Visit our blog on "How To Paint Radiators" here, and transform your entire room simultaneously.