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How to Paint Wood Crafts Like a Pro

There lies a substantial difference between an ‘okay craft’ and an ‘excellent craft.’ Surprisingly, that difference can sometimes be overcome with just the proper finish for your piece! It should fit your style, and it should fit the project as well. However, learning how to paint wood crafts properly can help you to create something that you’d proudly display in your home.

Now, painting wood crafts can be a pretty daunting task if you’re not aware of the right steps. But you don’t have to worry about that because we’ve got some good news for you.

By following our simple step-by-step walk-through, you’ll be able to give your crafts an exceptional finish in no time.

When and Why Should You Paint Your Wood Crafts?

Painting your craft unlocks its true beauty. Whereas, an unpainted craft can look like an incomplete expression of your creativity.

When you paint your woodwork, not only do you enhance it visually, but hide the blemishes of the wood also.

What about the right time to paint wood craft? Well, there isn’t one. Simply speaking, you may paint your craft anytime you see fit, as long as it’s dry.

But if you want it to truly stand out, then go for the colors only when you have taken all the necessary preparations.

How to Paint Wood Crafts?

We have divided the entire guide into four major segments and elaborated them through detailed instructions for a better understanding.

Many people mistake wood painting as a task of ‘brushing the wood with paint’ only. In reality, it’s a little bit more than that.

A proper paint job means a sequential execution of these steps. So, let’s dive right in and learn all the secrets to painting magnificent wood crafts.

Required Equipment

  • Acrylic paint
  • Sanding paper
  • Wet cloth or duster
  • Air blowgun
  • Wide paintbrush
  • Thin brush for detailing
  • Palette
  • Paint sealing agents

1. Taking the Right Preparation

Whether or not you’re taking the right preparation before the painting will determine how well done the craft is going to look when it’s done.

We cannot stress enough the importance of proper preparatory steps. Here’s how you should prep your wood for painting.

  • Sanding

Sanding is the pioneer of a proper paint job. The secret to excellent sanding is to patiently go along the grains. Use sand papers of medium coarseness and work your way up the grit.

Make sure that you cover all the intricate areas and corners. We recommend grit papers ranging from 100 to 140 grits for a smooth finish.

  • Brushing and Cleaning

When you are done with sanding, you will notice that your project is covered in sawdust. Simply brush it off using a duster.

You may also use air blowguns to cover the narrower areas. After blowing it clean, take a wet cloth and run it all over your project to get rid of any remaining sawdust.

  • Priming the Wood

Priming means applying a particular coating on the craftwork before painting, to make the paint stick and last longer.

Most primers come in cans, although today spray-on primers have also grown quite popular. You can find the primer of your choice from your nearest hardware store.

When you sanded the wood, you also opened up the grains for priming. All that’s left to do now is spray or apply a coat of primer all over the woodcraft, and you’re set.

2. Choosing the Right Paint and Color

There are a few specific types of paint that you may use on your woodwork. Among the many available options we recommend you to use either of the following two:

  • Acrylic paints for a standard look
  • Enamel paints for a glossier finish

The choice of color entirely depends on you and your woodwork. So, when you go color hunting, look for color stamps on the bottom of the can.

Remember that the color, when dried, is a little bit darker than the label. If your wood craft is fairly small in size, use combinations of both dark and bright colors to make it pop.

3. Steps to Perfectly Paint Any Wood Craft

For the sake of this text-based demonstration, let’s assume that we are using acrylic paint. Follow these steps only when you’re done with prep work and when the primer has dried completely.

  • Plan the Color Composition

We strongly advise you to plan what color you want to lay down and where beforehand. In other words, if you randomly start laying colors wherever and however you like, chances are the wood craft will not look as attractive.

  • Put the Color on a Palette

After you’re done with your planning, take the color of your choice on a palette. Do not take out all the colors at once, as it may lead to drying up prematurely.

  • Add a Few Drops of Water

If the color drips on the palette is too dense to coat your woodwork properly, add a few drops of water to bring it to the right consistency. Take a wide paintbrush and dip the bristle end into the paint.

  • Start Coating

Now start to coat your entire craft with the primary color of choice using the wide brush.

This wide brush will help you cover more surface area at once. After applying the coating of the primary color, let it sit to dry.

When the first coating has dried off, you’ll be able to judge and determine whether a second coating is required or not.

If you see that the first coating was too light, you may go for a second coat of the same color to make it look more solid.

  • Adjust the Consistency

Next, pour out little bits of your secondary colors and adjust the consistency like before.

Finish off the painting by designing the craft with secondary colors. When the detailing is done, let it sit to dry.

4. Sealing the Paint

When the paint has dried off entirely, apply a coat of paint sealing agent from your local hardware store. This will help you seal the paint onto the woodcraft.

You may apply a second coating of the sealing agent once the first coating dries off to ensure that the paint doesn’t chip away easily. Dry it off, and your woodcraft is now perfectly painted!

Tips and Tricks for Best Results

  • Wear goggles and mask when sanding and blowing off sawdust to avoid inhaling it accidentally.
  • Always wait for the coating of paint to dry before applying a new layer.
  • Judge and compare the efficiency of primers by how many square ft can a quart of it cover.
  • During priming and painting, work on the sides and top first. Work on the bottom only after all other sides have dried up.
  • If you’ve used your brush for a particular paint, wash it properly before dipping it into another. This way, the paint remains consistent and clean.

Paint Your Crafts Much More Effortlessly Starting Today!

Now that you have learned how to paint wood crafts, remember that carrying out these steps in the right sequence eventually makes a huge difference in the results.

So, whip your artistic skills and make exceptionally painted wood crafts, starting today. Happy painting!

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