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My finished bench! I LOVE the glossy look, and the color is perfect! I made the pillow to go with the living room décor, but it looks great here in the dining room…another DIY project I’ll be sharing with you![/caption]
Many of us have at least one piece of furniture hanging around our homes that could use a bit of “sprucing up”….ok, ok….the truth is my Mr. D thinks everything in our home is “perfect” and doesn’t need a changin’, but hey, DIY is really THERAPY for me! Long, long ago, when our children were still in diapers, I was learning that spray paint, and paint in general could give me instant gratification and satisfaction that I could have “new” things out of my “old” things any time I wanted! More than that, I found that the labor I put into these changes has a soothing effect on me, regardless of the color choices! Ha! Win Win!
I think my first project (long before cell phones & their GREAT pics! I had a “real” camera, with film and everything! Took MONTHS for me to take enough pictures/keep a good battery/remember where I put it so I could get the film developed!) was actually spray painting our 1981 GOLD washing machine (sorry, no pictures…..GOLD floor model was cheaper!) WHITE for about $3…not a bad transformation, but I have learned so much MORE about painting since then, and I want to give YOU the confidence to give it a try! After all, it’s ONLY paint, right?!? RIGHT!
Let’s get started! First off is to find a well-ventilated space to paint in…I use the good ole outdoors as much as possible, weather permitting. You can easily find the conditions needed for successful spray painting on the can of paint you choose. Here in Charleston, SC, the weather is still perfect for outdoor painting….since this project is “small”, I’m using an opened cardboard box to paint on, but I also use an old plastic shower curtain for the larger projects. Mr. D hates to see paint on the grass (which currently has a lovely shade of blue…), so I try my best to be tidy about my overspray. We have a great big garage, but I almost never paint in there, I worry too much about the paint getting into places where I don’t want it! You can always use a drop cloth, like the one here
You can see in my pictures that I have a “can gun” that I use for the top of the spray can nozzle…if your spray can doesn’t have a built-in “can gun” get yourself one! You will save your “trigger finger” from going numb and turning the color of the paint you are using! I have had mine for YEARS and it is so valuable…I wish I would’ve invented it! Seriously, this is a NECESSITY if you are going to paint more than one project in your life…trust me on this one! There’s many choices, but I linked to the one I have, very simple, and for just about $3 it’s done me proud for years. Now for the paint choices… I LOVE Rust-Oleum’s “Painter’s Touch” 2 X ultra cover paint + primer…this paint bonds to just about everything without adding an extra step…priming! I’ve used it on wood, metal, plastic, even laminate! Here’s the link to the color I used for this project… gloss Deep Blue…at the best price! 
My bench only needed one can of paint since it is about 12 x 20″, I try to always buy more paint than I think I’ll need, I use the “leftovers” for another fun project! Wipe off your furniture and allow to dry well. Follow the can instructions to apply the paint…my tips?? Pick the best time of day, not too hot, not cold, not in the sun, no wind if possible, and with enough daylight left if working outside to allow for drying time. I have and do paint near the end of the afternoon small projects that I can easily move to garage to dry overnight. Hold can 8-10″ away from surface and move hand back and forth horizontally slightly overlapping each spray stroke. You’ll appreciate the spray can trigger cap right about now! If you linger too long in one place you can get your paint running…so you start running if that happens and grab a damp rag/damp sponge brush and dab or brush the paint drip. Sometimes I remember to bring that with me BEFORE I start to paint, but sometimes I have to run! All will be well…drips are part of “shabby chic” anyway!
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Nice start…didn’t notice I was painting the grass too!
The pictures don’t show when I turned the bench over after the first coat of paint was dry to paint the underside…about 20 minutes after I started. I picked up this sweet little bench at my fav GW store a few years ago for about $5, it’s solid enough for an adult to sit on, and fits perfectly in the smidge of a wall I have in the dining room. I wasn’t looking for a bench, but after I saw it, I just knew I could put it to good use. We use it many times to take photos of the kids and grandkids. Many a youngin’ has pushed this bench around the hardwood floors of our home as they were learning to walk…priceless memories for sure!
Sometimes I will lightly sand a few areas with a fine grit 220 sand paper to expose some of the old paint underneath, but this time I want it to look “new” so I will leave it intact. I moved it into the garage so it could dry well overnight, then I brought it inside to it’s home! An easy, beautiful update any time I want/feel/need a change! I hope you’re inspired to try some “instant gratification” with spray paint yourself!
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