Furniture makeover - How to start 3

About paint

The most frequent materials for painting the wood include paint, woodstains, varnishes, waxes (and other products related to particular techniques).

But, before you start painting, it is usually necessary to prepare wood surface, depending on the technique to be used. 

Gesso

Gesso is a water based, heavily-pigmented white primer used as a sealer on porous surfaces such as wood. It is excellent base for techniques that require smooth background. It is applied with a flat brush or roller. Once it has dried it is sanded with fine sandpaper. Usually, at least one more coat of gesso is applied (each one has to be sanded down).

Remeber that it is opaque, so it is not used if you plan to enhance the grain of the wood.

Sealer

Sealer prepares a wood surface by sealing it; it prevents wood to absorb too much paint.  It is transparent allowing the grain of the wood to show through.

Woodstains

Woodstains are liquid pigments that dye wood  - they are transparent, allowing wood grain to show through. They can be water based, oil based or alcohol based. The less porous wood require alcohol-based tints, for other any stain will do.

Paints

Now days a wide range of  paints is available in stores. Basic types for crafters are acrylic (water based) and oil-based. My preferable choice are acrylic paints as they  are very easy to use, odorless, dry quick, and, what is the most important for me, tools and brushes could be very easy cleaned under running water. Brushes used with oil-based paints must be cleaned with mineral spirit and this is issue for me - I've never succeeded to completely clean brushes used with oil paints. I would certainly recommend acrylic paints, particularly for the beginners.

Varnish

Varnish is a transparent paint that dries to a hard, shiny surface which protects wood. Varnishes can be classified according to their finish: Glossy - high sheen effect; satin - the most versatile (medium sheen); matt finish - no sheen,  for more rustic look. Varnishes can be oil-based, water-based (acrylic), polyurethanr, naturals. As for paints, I recommend acrylic varnishes.