How to Paint Wooden Shelves

Making painted wooden shelves


Prepare to Paint Wooden Shelves
Remove all the old finish. I like the Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel better than anything else I've tried because it's a gel, you can use it and re-use it because it stays active for a very long time (overnight) and it doesn't let off a toxic smell. It smells a bit like oranges. I use a brush and slather it on kinda thick. I just work on small sections at a time because after one section is stripped, you can use your brush to slather that stuff on over to another section. it eats through multiple layers.

The label says it's OK to use indoors but I've only ever used it in the garage. I wouldn't want it near children, especially since it doesn't stink.

Get Wooden Shelves Ready to Paint

After you've cleaned up the stripping gel (follow the directions, it's an easy clean-up) you have to sand the surface a bit.

The gel can raise the wood fibers and you want a smooth surface for painting on. I use the finest grain sandpaper I can find and sand with the grain. if you go against the grain it will look bad and create more splinters.

Painting Wooden Shelves

Begin with a base coat. Your wood may require conditioning, if you want a perfect appearance, use one anyway, it's like primer that seals the wood. It's a fine base coat, but, depending upon your design, you may want another base coat, like a solid color to be in the background.

Creating Patterns on Painted Wood

Use tape to mark off sections of your design to create patterns. masking tape and painters tape need to be applied when the undercoat is completely dry. Be sure to remove the tape guides very carefully when your paint is almost dry.

You can also use Stencils to create the design you want. Trace the stencil shape with a pencil and then just paint in the lines with a small paintbrush.

What Kind of Paint Works best on Wooden Shelves?

I find that the Liquitex acrylic paint has the best color consistency and spreads like melting butter, the texture is perfect, never clumpy or runny. I love it. I've also used the Apple Barrel brand paints from Wal-mart. I'm not really fond of them but I've used them. In a pinch, I'd use them again, but I bought a few of the Liquitex kits, so I doubt I'm running out of paint any time soon.

Seal off your Painted Wooden Shelves

After all of the paint is dry, you can continue embellishing by adhering bits of fabric, sequins, silk or dried flowers or naything else you can think of. Spray over the entire thing with an enamel spray or another aerosol finishing product. I prefer aerosol. You can use Mod Podge, too.

Products I Recommend for Painting Wooden Shelves: