Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - painting/refinishing twin beds

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.



PDA

View Full Version : painting/refinishing twin beds

twinmom
07-09-02, 04:09 PM
I am planning on using twin beds that my Mom had as a child for my children. They were purchased in 1947. I am planning on painting them but wondered since they were built quite some time ago, should I be concerned with lead content in the current finish? If so, after I sand, primer and paint the beds will this seal the lead? Or is there a product I can buy to seal it.

Thank you for your appreciated time and advice.

George
07-09-02, 05:01 PM
The vast majority of furniture finishes (including opaque) are lacquer -not paint. That means no worry about lead contamination. You can test this by rubbing a small area with a rga dampened with lacquer thinner. If the rag starts to drag or stick, the finish is lacquer.

If this proves to be the case, sand completely, not to remove the current finish, but to rough it up for good adhesion. Then prime, then paint.