How to Paint a Shelf
- 1). Place a strip of masking tape along the edges of any surfaces adjacent to the shelf you intend to paint to protect the surfaces from errant brush strokes. Place a drop cloth onto the floor beneath the shelf to avoid drip damage.
- 2). Remove any paint already present on the shelf with paint stripper. Brush the shelf with a thick layer of stripper and let it dwell on the paint for the length of time suggested by the stripper manufacturer. Remove the stripper with a putty knife, then rinse the stripper residue away with a water-dampened sponge. Allow the shelf to dry completely before continuing.
- 3). Check the shelf for cracks. Fill any cracks found by packing them with wood filler. Scrape the top of the filler with the putty knife to level the patch with the surface of the shelf. Allow the filler to dry.
- 4). Sand the shelf smooth with medium-grit sandpaper attached to a sanding block. Make sure all patched areas are even with the surrounding wood. Wipe any sanding residue away using a clean cloth.
- 5). Apply a layer of primer to the shelf to aid in paint adherence. Brush the primer onto the shelf following along with the grain of the wood. Build up a solid coat of primer by applying two light layers of the primer to the shelf. Allow the primer to dry overnight.
- 6). Sand away any imperfections in the primer coat using a fine-grit sandpaper. Remove high areas of primer and signs of brush strokes with the sandpaper, then wipe the residue away with a clean cloth.
- 7). Paint the shelf with a top coat of paint. Brush the paint onto the shelf along with the grain of the wood. Apply two coats of paint, allowing a two-hour drying period between coats. Wait for the second coat to dry completely before removing the masking tape and using the shelf as normal.
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