How to paint chipboard with your own hands at home, 5 best compositions
Particleboard, or chipboard, is known as a material for the manufacture of economy class furniture. But, in addition to saving money, its task is to reduce the consumption of natural wood and preserve natural resources. An original wardrobe or chest of drawers can be made from raw sheets with your own hands. But there is a problem - how to paint an unsightly chipboard so as not to spoil it. After all, a feature of the material is its low moisture resistance.
The concept and features of the composition of chipboard
Chipboard is made of sawdust bonded with resin and compressed at high temperature. The first particle boards were made from spruce shavings. The cost of particle board is lower than that of natural wood.They were used in the construction and decoration of premises: for the installation of partitions, formwork, frames. Particleboard gradually replaced lighter, more plastic materials - PVC, drywall, OSB. The main area of application of chipboard is the manufacture of furniture.
Chipboard properties:
| Name | The description |
| Strength | It is divided into two classes: P2, resistant to delamination and P1, which is less durable. |
| Density | 550-820 kilograms per square meter. |
| Moisture resistance | The material is designed for use in low humidity conditions. The exception is special hydrophobic plates. |
| Biological resistance | Environment unfavorable to insects and mold. |
| fire safety | Belongs to group G4 - highly flammable material, but ignites more slowly than solid wood |
| Thermal conductivity | Weak compared to glass wool and ceramic bricks. |
| Vapor permeability | A high flow rate is a valuable addition to exterior wall cladding as it helps remove excess moisture. |
Particle board contains synthetic resin. Slabs are classified into three classes:
- E2 - emits toxic formaldehyde, not intended for interior decoration and furniture manufacturing;
- E1 - the discharge does not exceed the toxicity threshold;
- E0.5 - with minimal evaporation of formaldehyde, safe for living quarters.
Chipboard sheets are either sanded or unsanded, and also differ in the type of surface treatment.
Laminated
The sheet surface is coated with a matte or glossy polymer film by chemical pressing. Particleboard is made from high quality wood waste.
Home and office furniture is made from laminated particleboard. The slabs are heavier due to the lack of voids. To change the design of furniture, it is enough to remove the laminate under heating.
Varnished
Varnish protects the surface of the chipboard from external influences, but its strength is lower than that of laminate.
It is difficult to restore the surface, since it is necessary to select a varnish of a similar composition.
Plating
Veneer is a coating made of thin sheets of natural wood. It is used to imitate natural wood in furniture, doors and flooring.
The damaged coating is easy to remove: cover with a damp cloth for two hours and then clean the cracked wood.
Double
Lamination - gluing thick paper or plastic film using a roller.
The loose film can be easily removed from the board.
When do you need to paint chipboard
The main reason for beautifying a particle board is an unpresentable appearance. Untreated products look rough, and sawdust is not visible under the paint.
Doors and drawers on unfinished chipboard furniture warp over time. Painted boards are less prone to warping, especially if they are additionally varnished.
Appropriate dyes
For painting chipboard furniture, plastic paints and varnishes are used, which do not emit toxic substances and odors.
Acrylic
Acrylic paint is safe during and after painting. When applied without a primer, the acrylic coating will crack quickly.
Latex
The composition of paints includes rubber, which increases the strength of the finished coating.
Applied in two layers, the latex paint will mask the fine roughness of the surface. Latex paint is more resistant to external influences than acrylic paint and does not fade.
alkyd
The formulations are of the highest strength, but contain toxic alkyd resins.
Alkyd paint can be applied without a primer. Painted furniture should air dry within two days.
Stain
Wood impregnation improves the structure of the wood and tones the surface.
The impregnations are with water, oil and alcohol. Stains are used as wood preservatives.
Varnish
The chipboard is finished with different types of varnish: nitrocellulose, alkyd, polyurethane.
For particleboard, nitrocellulose varnish is often used. To avoid difficulties in applying the second layer, you need to wait until the first is completely dry.
Rules for choosing the right paint
When planning the paint result, consider the following points:
- convenience of work;
- painted area;
- desired color.
It is convenient to paint small chipboard products using a spray can and a brush. Spray or spray paint is therefore suitable for the job. It is convenient to walk on large surfaces with a roller. In addition to the color, you must choose the type of surface you want to obtain:
- bright;
- mast;
- tinted.
The color can be plain or combined. For multi-colored coloring, you need to choose a harmonious combination of shades, look for colors in the range of a manufacturer or choose a tone for coloring. When choosing a primer and paint, it is better to dwell on compositions of the same brand and on the same basis - water, latex, acrylic.
Home coloring steps
In order for the coating to last a long time, it is important to properly prepare the surface of the chipboard.
Tools and Materials Required
For work you will need:
- narrow brush - for painting over the corners, ends;
- foam rollers - for priming and painting facades;
- masking tape - to protect non-removable fittings, elements painted in a different color;
- sandpaper - coarse and fine.
When painting chipboard, it is recommended to pour the paint into a roller tray for better absorption of the composition. As a result, the color will become uniform, and the coating will be without gaps.
In addition to paint, the following materials are used in the work:
- primer;
- alcohol;
- solvent;
- varnish.
The old paint is removed with a solvent, and the surface is degreased with alcohol. You may also need putty to cover deep chips and a putty knife.
Surface preparation steps
Chipboard furniture is disassembled before painting. Fittings are removed and fixed parts are sealed with masking tape. Then the surface is prepared for painting.
Alignment
The embossed surface is leveled with coarse sandpaper. A rough sheet is swept along the fibers. Remove old paint the same way. By rubbing with emery, the surface will be covered with dust. Fine particles are brushed off with a dry brush. Do not wipe wood dust with a damp cloth. The debris will stick to the wet board. It will be impossible to remove it, and you will have to relevel the surface.
counting
At the next stage, the board is sanded with fine-grain emery. Dust is also cleaned with a dry brush.
Cleaning and degreasing
A smooth, dust-free sanded board is wiped with a damp cloth and then dried with a dry cloth.
For better adhesion to the primer, degrease the surface - wipe it with alcohol.
Surface primer
A damaged board with cracks is repaired with a putty. The primer is applied by roller or brush, in a thin layer.Before painting the product in dark colors, you need to apply the primer in two layers. The completely dry board is ready to be painted.
Chipboard painting technology: step-by-step instructions
How to repaint old furniture:
- to disassemble;
- remove fittings;
- glue the non-removable decoration with masking tape;
- remove old paint with a grinder or solvent;
- prepare the surface by leveling, sanding and priming;
- Apply the paint with a roller or brush.
It is recommended to lay the board horizontally, since in a vertical position the composition will spread out. Partitions made of particleboard begin to paint from above. You need to paint at least 2 coats. New particleboard is painted the same way, without removing the old paint.
To give texture to the surface, use synthetic long-haired rollers. When applying paint with a short-haired roller, a smooth surface will be obtained.
Before finishing painting with acrylic paint, it is recommended to practice on a "project" - trimming the board. The sample is prepared in the same way as the base surface and the tone is applied. The check will help you assess the color and appearance of the paint on the furniture.
Rules for applying DIY varnish
Wood chips and resin have different absorbency. When decorative compositions are applied to clean chipboard, an uneven color is obtained. The primer helps to distribute the coating evenly, therefore, the main rule for varnishing chipboard is a mandatory primer.
How to varnish particleboard:
- the cleaned surface is covered with a primer;
- grind;
- the first coat of varnish is applied;
- after complete drying, they are sanded again;
- covered with a second layer of varnish;
- finally level the dried surface.
The varnish is applied with a brush, and for a more even coating, a cotton swab with a cotton coating is used. Applied with a cotton swab, the composition permeates the surface well.
Later decoration options
Original ways to decorate chipboard furniture:
- two-tone paint: front faces in white and side faces in black, light green, yellow, red;
- antique effect: add a darker, well-diluted shade to the painted surface;
- paste with a colored film: decorate the doors of a cabinet or chest of drawers with a floral pattern, an abstract pattern;
- drawings using stencils: ornaments and flowers are applied to the main tone in a contrasting color.
Spray paint is also used for decoration. With their help, they create an ombré and chrome effect. The walls and partitions are covered with wallpaper over the paint.
Follow-up care rules
How to extend the life of painted furniture and chipboard structures:
- do not install in direct sunlight and near heating devices;
- do not put dishes with hot drinks and dishes on the countertop, use substrates;
- before transportation, pack in cardboard boxes, wrap the corners with newspaper;
- clean surfaces from dirt with a slightly damp cloth, you can use a soapy solution;
- do not rub with a hard brush, metal sponge;
- do not clean with abrasive products and household chemicals containing chlorine.
If the siding is cracked, do not allow moisture to enter the crack.
Can I use water paint
Despite the vulnerability of particleboard to moisture, aqueous compositions are suitable for finishing particleboard. Before using a water-based paint, the surface can be covered with PVA glue diluted with water in a 1: 2 ratio. Water-based acrylic paints are the safest and most durable. As it dries, the water evaporates from the coating and the acrylic forms a strong protective film. Despite the specific structure, the chipboard makes it possible to experiment with decoration and decoration, to give a second life to old objects and to create new design masterpieces.