And what better what to get started than with a question from a loyal reader. This letter comes from Abby:
I just painted a bookshelf. It's a small wooden shelf that I painted with acrylic paints.
I feel like I need to put some sort of sealant or top coat on there for protection, but I don't know what kind. I don't want to sit a plant or anything on there for fear of scratching the paint.
Any advice?
Well, Abby, it just so happens that I have some advice for you! You need a few thin coats of polyurethane to round out this project.
Painting furniture is a great way to repurpose a tired bookshelf or add some life to that bland nightstand. In fact, I added a few coats of white paint to a sideboard that became my dresser (read about it here).
Sealing with polyurethane gives painted furniture a nice shine and improves durability. You can choose from either satin, semi-gloss or gloss depending on the look that you are going for. Just apply a few thin coats, lightly sanding between each. If you want a more in-depth tutorial about painting furniture, Bryn Alexandra has a great post you should check out.
Thanks for the great question, Abby. Would love to see a picture of your bookshelf when you are finished!
Any other readers have a burning question for me? Leave a comment below and you could be the next reader featured on Musings. Who could ask for more?
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You're back! What a shiny spot in my day.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love polyurethane. It's like putting a nice clear topcoat on your nails.
Hooray for the return of you!
ReplyDeleteHi Meg! Thanks so much for answering my question! Yes, your advice was great; I've finished a shelf and two tiny tables. I'm out of control with the polyurethane. I'd love to send you a picture of my stuff; they're cell phone pics, so they aren't that great, but you'll get the idea. Hmm, can I post them here somewhere?
ReplyDelete