How to Paint Ethan Allen Furniture
- 1). Place your scrap of old vinyl flooring over your floor to use as a work surface. Open all windows and doors to create a well-ventilated environment. Unscrew all hardware from the furniture with a screwdriver. Ethan Allen furniture usually has distinctive, decorative hardware, so put it in a safe place. Remove upholstered seats from chairs.
- 2). Combine 1/4 cup mild detergent with a gallon of warm water in a bucket. Dip a large sponge in the mixture, and wring it out. Carefully wipe down accumulated dirt, grime and dust.
- 3). Put on a pair of protective gloves. Pour mineral spirits into a small pan. Dip a piece of steel wool into the solvent, and rub down the piece of furniture, removing wax, shellac or varnish. Re-dip your steel wool when necessary. Allow the piece of furniture to air dry.
- 4). Wrap a piece of medium-grit sandpaper around a sanding block and rub the furniture down, sanding in the direction of the wood. Repeat this step with a piece of fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the furniture with tack cloth. If sanding dust is stuck in carvings or crevices, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the dust.
- 5). Dip your nylon paintbrush into a latex primer, and apply an even coat all over the furniture. Make gentle, uniform strokes. Allow it to dry, and rinse your brush clean. Dip your clean brush into the latex paint. Apply a single coat, making even strokes with your brush. Allow the coat to dry.
- 6). Apply a final coat of paint with your 3-inch nylon brush. Dip a 1-inch nylon brush into the paint, and dab in any delicate or hard-to-reach areas. Allow it to dry completely.
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