Shades of Blue Interiors

  • Home
  • Explore My Home
  • Tutorials
  • About
    • Disclosures
    • Features & Press
    • FAQ
  • What I’m Wearing

How to Achieve a Smooth, Modern Finish + A HomeRight Giveaway!

March 20, 2015 Rachel 58 Comments

**UPDATE: GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Hey ya’ll! This is a sponsored post. HomeRight provided me with the HomeRight Finish Max Pro Fine Finish Sprayer and payment in exchange for my review of said product!  Today I’m going to show you how easy it is to achieve a smooth modern finish to a painted piece of furniture, in case you love that undistressed look!

How to achieve a smooth modern finish for painted furniture

Gorgeous table right?

This is in a client (and friend)’s home, and is a table where I refinished the top a couple weeks ago. She is a lover of modern/contemporary design and decor and had this PB table for a couple years. Well, for the past year, the top was causing her issues. It was turning BLUE whenever it got anything wet on it, and then disappeared when it dried. Additionally, when she moved here a little over a year ago, the movers had nicked the table up a bit, so she asked me if I would refinish just the top.

First thing I did was completely strip the paint on the top and sides, down to the bare wood. I found that the table top had been refinished before and I’m assuming they used a poor-quality water-based top coat, that after time was turning blue whenever water penetrated the finish (all the time). I then sanded it with a fine grit sand-paper to smooth down any water damaged puffy-spots, and to have a completely smooth surface to paint.

HomeRightSprayerGiveaway-2

This is VERY important, as any black shiny surface is going to accentuate imperfections, so you want to get it as smooth as possible. For a very black modern look, I chose to paint it with General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint. I painted 4 coats with my HomeRight Finish Max Pro paint sprayer, sanding lightly between each coat. After 2 coats there was adequate coverage, but I wanted to make sure the surface was very smooth, so if a fuzzy or something dried into the paint, I needed to sand and put on another coat.

HomeRightSprayerGiveaway-4

I knew, for durability’s sake, I needed to use an oil-based top coat, and the issue of yellowing on lighter colors wouldn’t matter since I used it on top of black paint. I used 3 coats of Minwax Wipe-On Poly in Satin. I’ve used this before on my son’s navy bookcase, and it is SO durable with their baskets and bins of toys. I knew this would be a great top coat for this table. I also have Minwax Wipe-On Poly on my dining table and I LOVE it. So durable.

HomeRightSprayerGiveaway-3

My friend has a beautiful home, doesn’t she? I took these pictures a couple weeks ago and that oak banister/railing has already been painted white! She told me she was sick of it (plus it really doesn’t go with her aesthetic) and I knew my uncle, who is a painter, would be perfect for the job! It took several days and lots of coats, but this view is even prettier now!

HomeRightSprayerGiveaway-5

 

So, are you ready to learn how to use this AWESOME paint sprayer that DOESN’T need a compressor?

C800850 Finish Max Pro

This HomeRight Finish Max Pro Fine Finish Sprayer comes with 2 paint reservoirs with lids, a long (15′) hose, a nozzle that can adjust for horizontal or vertical spraying, a regulated spray pattern (1″-6″) that you can adjust and decide (that means less overspray), and is ideal for large pieces of furniture and cabinets. Not to mention it retails for $125, so the fact you don’t need a compressor, it is a fantastic deal.

It is also one of the easiest things to use. I’ve used this with latex paint, milk paint, and chalk paint, all with fantastic results. The nozzle is also very easy to clean since you can take apart almost all of the pieces and wash them out with a little wire brush scrubber provided.

Are ya ready to learn how to achieve a modern finish now? I wouldn’t use ANY other way if you want a perfect, almost lacquer-like finish, completely smooth with no brush strokes.

1. Pull out and plug in your sprayer.

2. Pour paint into both containers provided, about 3/4 full (or a little more).

3. Add a bit of of water and test viscosity with the the viscosity cup provided. They have a chart in the instruction manual that will tell you how fast the paint (or stain or top coat) is supposed to empty. For this latex paint/primer I used about 1/4 cup I think? I’m going from memory here, so I would start with less and add a little more as you go. You’ll get a feel for how it is supposed to look, so that it sprays evenly and smoothly without dripping.

  In the pic below I’m demonstrating using white paint, which I used to paint my white bookcases I have in my living room. I can’t imagine painting the bookcases with all the shelves by hand or by roller. It would have been a nightmare.

SprayerSteps

4. Attach spray nozzle and adjust the nose to either spray horizontally or vertically. Pictured above it is set to spray vertically.

5. Turn on your machine (it sounds like a vacuum and is about as loud as one), and test out the spray on a pieces of cardboard or scrap wood.

6. Once you get an even flow, start spraying your piece of furniture, maintaining an even distance. Don’t bend or rotate at the wrist when spraying, because it will get better coverage in the middle and poor coverage on the edges. Instead, move your entire arm across the surface your are spraying.

TIPS:

-Use protective eyewear (and mask if you have it) during use to protect your eyes and airways from the very fine paint particles that get in the close-proximity air when spraying.

-Keep a wet rag handy to clean off the spray nose. It slowly accumulates with paint, inhibiting the spray area after awhile. It wipes off easily though.

 -Plan on doing at least 2-3 coats, since the thinned down paint evenly sprayed on makes for thinner coats.

-For bookcases and most furniture, if you use a satin or semi-gloss paint, you do NOT need a topcoat. Just let the paint cure (harden, completely) for 21 days before using regularly. I brought these inside after a couple days drying and was just gentle with them for a few weeks (but I still set things on them in the mean-time).

-After washing out paint after use, fill container with water, turn on and spray water in your sink or tub (or wherever you clean it out), until water is completely clear.

Here’s a refresher of what that bookcase looks like now:

Bookshelf-5

 Like I mentioned above, I’ve used it many times, but my favorite projects to use it on are:

anything needing a perfectly smooth, modern finish

dining chairs 

ANYTHING with spindles!! (I used to want to poke my eyes out if I had to paint some… not anymore!)

book cases (or anything with lots of shelves and small, annoying corners!)

kitchen cabinets

trim and woodwork

Finally… Giveaway Time for the HomeRight Finish Max Pro!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Design, Gallery, giveaway, Photography and Staging, Tutorials

Comments

  1. Alison S says

    March 20, 2015 at 8:18 am

    I have a dresser I’d like to try this out on.

    Reply
  2. cassie says

    March 20, 2015 at 8:43 am

    it’s gorgeous and perfect! i love a nice smooth modern finish!

    Reply
  3. Traci says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:01 am

    I would LOVE to have a sprayer! My first project would be my soon to be installed front porch spindles and railing. And I have the exterior of my house that needs painted and this would make the job so much easier! I love that this doesn’t need a compressor either!

    Reply
  4. April Rutherford says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:49 am

    How beautiful! This looks like a very handy tool to have!

    Reply
  5. Diane Wall says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:01 am

    I’d like to try it on a table and chairs.

    Reply
  6. Korrie says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I have a hall tree I would like to paint.

    Reply
  7. Laurin says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:15 am

    I would love to paint my china cabinet

    Reply
  8. Breanne D says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:21 am

    I’d love to refinish my bed and end tables, as well as my daughters’ bunk bed. Love your work, Rachel!

    Reply
  9. Ann Dees says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:24 am

    Love the smooth finish!

    Reply
  10. Christi champagne-thornton says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:43 am

    I am a builder, designer & decorator. This would make my life easier & everything I paint more beautiful! It be beneficial for everyone

    Reply
  11. Anna Lena R says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:43 am

    We are going to buy a house within the next couple of months and will need lots of (new) furniture. I am buying lots of things from CL and thrift stores so I could use it for lots of projects from dressers to shelves over chairs and tables. This spray painter would make things so much easier.

    Reply
  12. Cheryl Lewis says

    March 20, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    I have two end tables, and two twin headboards to paint. I would love to have this sprayer!

    Reply
  13. Miranda Durbin says

    March 20, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    Would love to use this for projects this summer! Would something like this work for stain on outside furniture?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 20, 2015 at 3:26 pm

      Yes it works great for stain!

      Reply
  14. Patty Page says

    March 20, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    I’d love to do my dining room chairs!

    Reply
  15. Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says

    March 20, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Great post, Rachel! I love that machine. Like LOVE love it. I’m so glad to read about the top coat too – refinishing my kitchen table is on my list and I wasn’t totally sure what to use.

    Reply
  16. stephanie says

    March 20, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    I would use it on bookcases and table and chairs in kitchen. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. theresa J says

    March 20, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    We are buying a new house soon and I am sure there will be many painting projects

    Reply
  18. p Boszko says

    March 20, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Thanks for the great tutorial and a chance to win!

    Reply
  19. Kat Wynveen says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    I have a small dresser I’d like to do, and I also have a bookcase.

    Reply
  20. Jess Brooks says

    March 21, 2015 at 1:06 am

    My closet!

    Reply
  21. Wendy R. says

    March 21, 2015 at 2:14 am

    I have a bunch of furniture that I would love to paint!

    Reply
  22. Beth Vermeulen says

    March 21, 2015 at 5:05 am

    my dining room chairs!

    Reply
  23. Diane says

    March 21, 2015 at 7:11 am

    I have an old caned living room chair that is begging to be refinished in GF Antique White. This sprayer would make life a whole easier.

    Reply
  24. Sarah says

    March 21, 2015 at 9:34 am

    I want to try that

    Reply
  25. Patricia C says

    March 21, 2015 at 10:54 am

    I would like to paint my fences and repaint my hallway

    Reply
  26. Lani says

    March 21, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Thanks for the easy tutorial. I would paint my kitchen table, chairs (with those awful spindly legs), and the hutch that goes with it.

    Reply
  27. Dianne says

    March 21, 2015 at 11:29 am

    Oh I could conquer the world with the Homeright Finish Max Pro.
    Kitchen table, hanging bar stools,
    front door, antique dresser, antique kitchen table chairs,
    sofa table, and then I would find more.
    Thanks for your blog, I love it!
    You’re inspiring!

    Reply
  28. adrienne z says

    March 21, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    I have Many projects waiting in the wings and this is JUST the tool I need to get them done! I have a glider, a bookcase, 2 dressers, basement furniture that ALL need a professional finish! I
    REALLY hope I get this! This is right up my alley!

    Reply
  29. Janet says

    March 21, 2015 at 11:07 pm

    I would love to use the HomeRight Finish Max Pro Fine Finish Sprayer to refinish my kitchen table and chairs, it would make the job so much easier! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂

    Reply
  30. nicole dziedzic says

    March 22, 2015 at 3:42 am

    I would use this paint sprayer to paint our kitchen walls and hallway by the front door in our home.

    Reply
  31. Heather Dawn says

    March 22, 2015 at 8:32 am

    I have a bench that I would love to use this on!

    Reply
  32. gayle gildehaus says

    March 22, 2015 at 9:23 am

    We are getting a new house.Can i use this on the kitchen cabinets?I sure hope so!

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 22, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      Absolutely! Wouldn’t use anything else!

      Reply
  33. Helen Schlueter says

    March 23, 2015 at 7:30 am

    I would use it on everything!! Well, mainly big projects because I love to hand paint.

    Reply
  34. Danielle says

    March 23, 2015 at 10:42 am

    LOVE this sprayer and your projects with it look amazing! x

    Reply
  35. Brittany Koelmel says

    March 23, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    I would re paint my coffee table and my kitchen table. Recently, a piece of paper got stuck to my kitchen table and it totally RUINED it.

    Reply
  36. susan ross says

    March 23, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    how many can I name? I will start with kitchen cabinets, den wall of bookshelves, armoire, and dresser being converted to an entertainment center… I can keep going, too.!!

    Reply
  37. Patrycja Chudziak says

    March 24, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    I would start with my bedroom, but then literally paint every room in the house!

    Reply
  38. Karen U says

    March 24, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    I have a basement full of furniture wanting paint. But I would definitely start with the gorgeous French hutch I have down there!
    Karen U

    Reply
  39. LaTanya says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    our front door and bathroom

    Reply
  40. Tim says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    We have a spare bedroom in our home that needs to be painted.

    Reply
  41. Geraldine manossa says

    March 25, 2015 at 1:17 am

    great information!I have a media centre that I would like to try this on!

    Reply
  42. Holly B says

    March 25, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    I have a mid century vintage cabinet that really needs a new coat of paint– this would be perfect!

    Reply
  43. michal k says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:14 am

    I’ll respray my front entry door,and some furniture.

    Reply
  44. Trinh L. says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:52 am

    I would like to use it on my old sturdy dresser that needs new makeover.

    Reply
  45. Anita L says

    March 26, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    This would be great to stain our wood privacy fence!

    Reply
  46. Angela Cash says

    March 26, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    I have several furniture pieces that I would love to refinish with this paint sprayer. One is a bamboo room divider that would take forever to paint with a brush. It would be so much easier and quicker to spray it.

    Reply
  47. Kathy DeLacy says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:05 pm

    I have a garage full of projects to be painted!! This would make the job a lot easier!!

    Reply
  48. Kathy DeLacy says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    I have a garage full of projects waiting to be painted. This would make things much easier. And definitely more fun!!

    Reply
  49. Mandy Campbell says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    We have a banquette we just built, that I would use it on.

    Reply
  50. Erin says

    March 26, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    I love how the table turned out! I have a very similar black table that needs to be refinished just like that one.

    Reply
  51. Jessi says

    March 26, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Chairs make me want to poke my eyes out too!

    Reply
  52. Leia @ Eat It & Say Yum says

    March 26, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    I have several dressers that need to be painted, this would make things go much faster!!

    Reply
  53. april b says

    March 26, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    I have a dresser, chester drawer, and an antique table I would use this for!!

    Reply
  54. beverly e says

    March 26, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    I would love to use this on a lattice screen… almost impossible to paint with a roller or brush. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  55. Athena says

    June 28, 2015 at 5:16 am

    I have a basement full of furniture wanting paint. But I would definitely start with the gorgeous French hutch I have down there!

    Reply
  56. Linda says

    October 6, 2015 at 9:32 am

    wow! I have to buy this paint sprayer. Thank you so much for the detail instruction.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi! I’m Rachel.

Subscribe

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Category

[footer_backtotop text="Top"]
Copyright © 2023 Shades of Blue Interiors · Customization By: Creative Kristi Designs