Particle board (also known as chipboard) furniture is made from compressed wood particles and is often covered with melamine, wood veneer, or laminate to create a smoother appearance. This coating method strengthens the particle board and protects it against external impacts. However, this means the surface is no longer absorbent. Instead, it has a glossy and slippery surface that paint typically doesn’t adhere to well. In this article, we’ll explain in detail how to paint both raw particle board furniture and laminated particle board furniture.
How to Repaint Particle Board Furniture
The painting process differs between raw and laminated particle board. Therefore, it’s better to explain them separately. Here are the details:
1-Painting Raw Particle Board
When particle board has no lamination, it absorbs all types of paint. This significantly increases paint consumption. For this reason, it’s necessary to use 1-3 coats of primer before painting raw particle board. This way, the particle board won’t absorb the paint, and the primer will help the paint adhere better to the surface.
The primer you use on particle board should be the same type as your paint. For example, if you plan to paint the chipboard with acrylic paint, use an acrylic primer. If you plan to use an oil-based paint, you’ll get better results with an oil-based primer.
After applying the primer to the particle board surface, wait 4-5 hours for water-based paint types or 24 hours between coats for oil-based paints before painting the chipboard. Before priming and painting raw chipboard, make sure the surface is clean and smooth.
If the particle board surface is not smooth, remember to sand it with 200-240 grit sandpaper and wipe away the dust with a damp cloth before priming.
2-Painting Laminated Particle Board
Particle board furniture and cabinets are usually covered with wood, melamine, or laminate. This coating makes the furniture more durable and attractive. It also helps keep the wood pieces stable.
However, when particle board is laminated, it no longer has an absorbent surface. This makes it harder for paint to adhere. When painting particle board furniture, you should focus on making the paint stick to the particle board surface. This is because the glossy and slippery surface of laminated particle board now repels most types of paint.
What Kind of Primer Do You Use on Chipboard?
Before painting a chipboard furniture piece, using a primer is essential. This allows the paint to adhere well to the chipboard surface. So, which primer should you use for chipboard? For laminated chipboard, the best primers are glossy surface primer, transition primer, and bonding primer. If you have trouble finding these primers, you can use an all-purpose primer. “Related post: Is primer necessary before painting?”
What is the Best Paint for Particle Board?
You can paint chipboard furniture with water-based, acrylic, latex, oil-based, cellulosic, and even spray paint. However, chipboard is most easily painted with all-purpose acrylic paints. These paints are also durable.
How to Paint Chipboard Furniture: Step-by-Step Guide
1-Surface Repair
Check the chipboardsurface and repair any holes and cracks with filling putty. If you plan to use a water-based paint, a water-based putty would be appropriate. If you plan to use an oil-based paint, an oil-based putty would be a better choice.
2-Wait for the Putty to Dry
Water-based putties dry in a few hours, while synthetic putties take approximately 24 hours to dry. It’s essential to let the putty dry completely before starting to paint or prime. Otherwise, it will leave marks under the paint, and the paint won’t adhere well to the putty.
3-Sanding Particle Board
After the putty has dried, sand the necessary parts with 200-240 grit sandpaper to make them smooth. Then clean the entire chipboard surface with a damp cloth. Once you’re sure the moisture has evaporated, you can proceed to the priming stage.
4-Prime the Chipboard
Priming is the most important stage in painting chipboard furniture because paint doesn’t adhere well to laminated chipboard. However, one coat of primer is usually sufficient. Apply glossy surface primer, transition primer, or bonding primer to the chipboard furniture surface. Then wait for the primer to dry. If you used a water-based primer on the chipboard surface, wait at least 4-5 hours; if you used an oil-based primer, wait 24 hours.
5-Ensure the Primer is Dry
Once the primer is dry, you can start painting the chipboard furniture. During the painting process, use a soft-tipped brush for recessed areas. For flat surfaces, a high-quality roller with short nap will be the right choice.
6-Paint the Chipboard
When painting chipboard, if you’ve chosen water-based acrylic paints, wait at least 4-5 hours between coats. If you’ve chosen an oil-based paint, wait at least 24 hours between coats. Additionally, if you apply a coat of water-based varnish after acrylic paint or any water-based paint, the chipboard’s paint will be more resistant to scratches and impacts. (This is not necessary for oil-based paint.) “Related article: How to paint old wood furniture.”
Frequently asked Questions
What Kind of Paint do You Use on Chipboard?
You can use water-based, acrylic, latex, oil-based, cellulosic, or spray paint on chipboard. All-purpose acrylic paints are the easiest to work with and provide durable results.
Can I paint Chipboard Furniture?
Yes, you can paint chipboard furniture, but the process differs depending on whether it’s raw or laminated. Both types require proper preparation for the best results.
Can You Paint Cheap Particle Board Furniture?
Yes, even cheap particle board furniture can be painted successfully with proper preparation, including cleaning, sanding, repairing any damage, and priming before applying paint.
Can you Paint Straight onto Chipboard?
No, you should not paint directly onto chipboard. Raw chipboard requires primer to prevent excessive paint absorption, while laminated chipboard needs primer to help the paint adhere to its slippery surface.
Do I Need to Prime Chipboard Before Painting?
Yes, priming is essential. For raw chipboard, primer prevents excessive absorption; for laminated chipboard, primer creates a surface that paint can adhere to.
What is the Best Primer for Chipboard?
For laminated chipboard, use glossy surface primer, transition primer, or bonding primer. For raw chipboard, use a primer that matches your paint type (water-based with water-based paint, oil-based with oil-based paint).
Can you Paint Over Chipboard Cupboards?
Yes, chipboard cupboards can be painted by following the proper steps: cleaning, sanding, repairing any damage, priming, and then applying paint with adequate drying time between coats.
What Paint is Best for Chipboard?
All-purpose acrylic paints are the best for chipboard furniture as they’re easy to apply and provide durable results. However, other paint types can also work well with proper preparation.
Can You Use Emulsion Paint on Chipboard?
Yes, you can use emulsion paint (water-based wall paint) on chipboard, but make sure to properly prime the surface first. For better durability, consider applying a water-based varnish afterward.
