ᐅ How can I decorate Ikea Hemnes furniture using acrylic paints?

Hello everyone, I am considering customizing my Ikea Hemnes furniture with acrylic paints. However, I am unsure about the best approach to achieve a clean and durable result. My furniture pieces are made of solid wood but already have a white paint finish, which I do not want to fully sand off. Has anyone had experience preparing Hemnes furniture for painting with acrylics? Is priming and some surface treatment enough, or are there additional steps to consider? I am also interested in which techniques and sealants work best to prevent the paint from chipping or yellowing. I look forward to your detailed tips and advice on professional design and durability.

Hello Kitabar,

First, it’s important to know that the Hemnes series from Ikea is usually made of stained pine wood, which has an existing layer that can cause acrylic paint to bead up if the surface is not properly prepared.

I recommend the following step-by-step approach:

- Thoroughly clean the surface with a degreaser or mild dish soap to remove dust and grease.
- Lightly sand with fine sandpaper (grit 180 to 220). You should only remove the gloss from the surface, not completely strip the original white paint layer.
- After that, a good acrylic-based primer is highly recommended. The primer ensures proper adhesion of the paint and prevents chipping.
- If you use pure acrylic paints, it’s best to use high-quality artist acrylics or special acrylic paints designed for furniture that offer good coverage.
- For painting, you can try different techniques: brush, sponge, or airbrush, depending on the effect you want to achieve.
- Once the paint is dry, be sure to apply a clear topcoat. For furniture, a matte or satin polyurethane varnish is suitable, as it is water- and scratch-resistant. Make sure it’s compatible with acrylic paints.

One important note: Since furniture is subject to heavy use in daily life, you should apply the topcoat carefully and apply several thin layers to properly protect the paint.

I hope this helps! If you like, I can also give you tips on specific primers or topcoats.

Best regards!

GOLO42 schrieb:
I recommend the following step-by-step procedure:

This is exactly the right approach. Important: sand before painting, apply a primer, then apply acrylic paint in several thin layers. Finally, seal it well. This ensures the best durability.

Hello Kitabar,

I fully agree with the advice from GOLO42 and emmett and would like to add that you should always make sure to place the furniture in a dust-free room before painting and allow each coat to dry thoroughly. Acrylic paints are quite durable, but on furniture, they can be sensitive to impacts and moisture.

Also, it’s best to use a fine sanding sponge or sanding pad to lightly sand the surface, avoiding scratches that are too deep and might show through the paint later. A special primer for painted wood is ideal if you don’t want to completely remove the white coating, as it greatly improves adhesion.

Regarding sealants: there are both water-based and solvent-based clear coats. If the furniture will be used frequently, a solvent-based clear coat is more durable but also more demanding to apply and has a stronger odor. Water-based clear coats have fewer side effects and dry faster but are less resistant.

If you don’t have much experience yet, I recommend testing your paint and sealant combination on a small, inconspicuous area before treating the entire piece. That way, you can be sure the materials are compatible and the surface meets your expectations.

I wish you much success and enjoyment with your project!