ᐅ How suitable are Ikea BRIMNES furniture units for self-painting?
Created on: 22 Apr 2021 08:37
P
paulje
Hello everyone, I am considering repainting some Ikea Brimnes furniture myself to give it a more personalized look. I am especially interested in how suitable this furniture is for DIY painting.
I have read that Ikea surfaces are often made of MDF or particleboard with a melamine coating, which apparently is not the best base for painting. Does anyone have experience with how well the BRIMNES series can be sanded, how well the paint adheres, and what the best approach is to achieve a durable and even finish?
In addition to tips on the right type of paint and preparation methods, advice on potential pitfalls or problems when painting would also be very helpful. Thank you in advance for your contributions!
I have read that Ikea surfaces are often made of MDF or particleboard with a melamine coating, which apparently is not the best base for painting. Does anyone have experience with how well the BRIMNES series can be sanded, how well the paint adheres, and what the best approach is to achieve a durable and even finish?
In addition to tips on the right type of paint and preparation methods, advice on potential pitfalls or problems when painting would also be very helpful. Thank you in advance for your contributions!
Hello paulje, regarding the choice of paint: For indoor furniture, a high-quality water-based acrylic paint is usually completely sufficient, especially if you are painting in the bedroom.
2K paints (two-component paints) offer significantly higher hardness and chemical resistance, but they are also more complex to apply and require additional safety measures (e.g., good ventilation, protective clothing).
My advice:
- If you value easy application and the furniture will have normal wear and tear, choose a high-quality acrylic paint.
- For more durable surfaces on heavily used furniture or if you want to achieve a more professional quality, a 2K paint would be more suitable.
Proper preparation and intermediate sanding are always important, regardless of the type of paint used.
2K paints (two-component paints) offer significantly higher hardness and chemical resistance, but they are also more complex to apply and require additional safety measures (e.g., good ventilation, protective clothing).
My advice:
- If you value easy application and the furniture will have normal wear and tear, choose a high-quality acrylic paint.
- For more durable surfaces on heavily used furniture or if you want to achieve a more professional quality, a 2K paint would be more suitable.
Proper preparation and intermediate sanding are always important, regardless of the type of paint used.
paulje schrieb:
Would a water-based acrylic paint be sufficient in my case? Or would investing in a 2K paint be more worthwhile? For bedroom furniture, acrylic paint is good enough and easier to apply.
Just to clear the air a bit: If you’re painting your Brimnes, keep in mind that these items are quite simply constructed. The fun is more about the finish rather than the craftsmanship challenge.
But seriously: If you don’t have professional spray equipment, applying the paint can sometimes cause small runs. So it’s better to work with thin coats, allow them to dry in between, and be very patient.
And don’t be discouraged by small surface imperfections; that’s part of the charm!
But seriously: If you don’t have professional spray equipment, applying the paint can sometimes cause small runs. So it’s better to work with thin coats, allow them to dry in between, and be very patient.
And don’t be discouraged by small surface imperfections; that’s part of the charm!
I would like to add a few points about preparation and painting:
- Remove all handles and fittings before sanding to avoid damage or them sticking under the paint later.
- Do not press too hard when sanding, as this can peel off the melamine surface and make it difficult to achieve smooth areas.
- After sanding, thoroughly remove dust with a damp cloth.
- The room temperature during painting should be around 18-22°C (64-72°F) to ensure the surface dries evenly.
If you follow these steps, you will already have a solid foundation for a good result.
- Remove all handles and fittings before sanding to avoid damage or them sticking under the paint later.
- Do not press too hard when sanding, as this can peel off the melamine surface and make it difficult to achieve smooth areas.
- After sanding, thoroughly remove dust with a damp cloth.
- The room temperature during painting should be around 18-22°C (64-72°F) to ensure the surface dries evenly.
If you follow these steps, you will already have a solid foundation for a good result.
angel schrieb:
- After sanding, thoroughly remove dust with a damp cloth.
- The room temperature during painting should be around 18-22 °C (64-72 °F) to ensure the surface dries evenly.Thanks, really great details!A quick question about sanding: Should I use sandpaper with a grit of 240 or finer? And what about orange peel texture or dust inclusions – do you have any tips on how to avoid these? In my first attempt for a friend, I noticed paint spots and small dust particles in the finish that only became visible after a long drying time.
Starting with 240 grit is a good approach, then switch to 320 or even 400 grit for the finish.
Dust inclusions often occur when paint dust in the air settles on the damp paint layer. Therefore:
- Thoroughly clean the room before painting
- Minimize drafts or movement in the room during painting
- Paint using slow, even strokes, applying each stroke directly after the previous one without stopping
If the surface shows slight "orange peel" texture (minor unevenness), you can sand it again after it has fully dried using very fine sandpaper (e.g., 600 or 800 grit) and then apply a clear coat or an additional layer of paint.
Dust inclusions often occur when paint dust in the air settles on the damp paint layer. Therefore:
- Thoroughly clean the room before painting
- Minimize drafts or movement in the room during painting
- Paint using slow, even strokes, applying each stroke directly after the previous one without stopping
If the surface shows slight "orange peel" texture (minor unevenness), you can sand it again after it has fully dried using very fine sandpaper (e.g., 600 or 800 grit) and then apply a clear coat or an additional layer of paint.
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