Now a days there are SEVERAL paints marketed towards painting furniture. There are SO MANY, as a beginner, you may not know where to start. Luxury Furniture Paints are also pretty pricey so "testing" out different ones to find out what you like, can definitely put a hole in your wallet.
As an experienced furniture painter, I've worked with a wide variety of paints throughout the years. I've learned which ones I don't like, which ones don't stand true to their claims and which ones I have come to LOVE & will only use from now on. Needless to say...I've put a hole in my wallet so you don't have to! Let's Dive into the 4 brands I LOVE and know you will LOVE, too!
Melange Paints:
This is an acrylic water-based paint line that boasts easy soap and water clean up. That is 100% true. I can't tell you how many times I've sadly spilled this paint and it cleans right up! This paint also has Zero-Low VOC. Which is extremely important in consideration to your health.
Melange paints is only available in an all in one formula; known as Melange ONE or their Modern Cabinetry Enamel formula. Melange ONE comes in 95 colors!! Yes, you read that right!! Their color selection is by far the best out there for a luxury furniture paint brand. Available in 1oz, 8oz, 16oz, 32oz & some colors in Gallon sizes
Is Melange ONE really an all in one paint? I have used Melange for the last 3 1/2 years and I can confidently say YES! So, what is an 'all in one paint' ? Primer, paint and topcoat all in one jar. Now does that mean you don't need to prime your piece? In some cases yes, Melange's built in primer helps with coverage and adhesion when proper prep is done. BUT if you are working with raw wood you are going to want to apply a stain blocking primer first before painting. No all in one paint, or any paint for that matter is going to withstand tannin bleed through.
Do you need to topcoat Melange ONE? NO! It has a built in, very durable, topcoat. I have never used an additional top coat on the bodies of my pieces. However, for peace of mind, I have used a top coat for my painted furniture tops. Especially if it's a high traffic piece. The sheen with this paint line is the most gorgeous satin finish. I'd say it's smack dab in the middle of matte & satin. It also has excellent coverage, even for their whites!
This paint is SUPER BEGINNER FRIENDLY! It has self leveling properties for brush stroke free finishes. It just takes a little practice! I recommend using their Rachel Brush or any Zibra brand brush. It also sprays beautifully! I use the Wagner Control Spray Max.
How much paint do you need for your project? I exclusively use a paint sprayer. I can spray 1 big piece with 3 coats of paint using Melange Paints 16oz jar and still have a little bit leftover. If you are using a brush to apply, a 16oz jar will more than likely paint 2 big pieces of furniture, 3 coats each. I buy the quart jars of commonly used colors like whites, blacks and greens and can use those for at least 4 big pieces, sprayed.
Need more info on how to use this paint just CLICK HERE!
This is BY FAR my favorite paint to use for my furniture. 95% of all of my refinished furniture is painted using Melange Paints.
Price Point: $4.99 for 1oz
$19.99 for 8oz
$27.99 for 16oz
$39.99 for 32oz
$144.99 for 128oz
Fusion Mineral Paints:
Fusion Mineral Paints is another luxury furniture paint brand worth trying out! It's another all in one acrylic water-based paint line. It boasts all the same qualities as Melange Paints. I have several pieces of furniture in my home that I painted with Fusion and did not use a topcoat. They have held up beautifully with 4 kids and a husband LOL
So what's the difference?
Fusion is a matte finish paint. If you're looking for a more matte look for your furniture you're going to want to choose Fusion.
Fusion offers 50 colors to choose from vs Melange Paints 95.
They also claim 'minimal prep' but I have found this to be untrue. You need to prep thoroughly to ensure a good finish.
Fusion also claims their paints are not intended for spray applications. I have sprayed this paint numerous times and it works great! They say its for health and safety reasons, but just mask up!
Fusion is only available in 1oz, 16oz & 67oz
I don't reach for Fusion that much any more just because my personal preference is Melange Paints. BUT Fusion is still a good paint to try if you're just starting out!
Price Point: $7.99 for 1oz
$29.99 for 16oz
$88.99 for 67oz
Shackteau Interiors Milk Paint:
If you're looking to try out Milk Paint, I highly recommend Shackteau Interiors! I exclusively use this brand after trying several others. It's easy to work with, she has the BEST black milk paint out there Black Beach (ifykyk), and I love the way it applies to my pieces. There's a reason a lot of us furniture refinishers say "Milk Paint Therapy"
*I also have a 10% off discount code for you all if you want to try it! OWL10 at checkout <-- Click the Link to head to their website, discount is auto applied.
What is Milk Paint?
Milk paint comes in a powder form that needs to be mixed with equal parts water to powder. It is recommended to use distilled water. I typically mix a 1/2 Cup at a time, since milk paint is best used FRESH. I don't want to waste any product. Milk paint is also Non-toxic & made from natural materials: milk protein, lime, earth pigments and clay fillers… no petrochemicals, leads, solvents, or other harmful additives.
I use milk paint when I want that old world finish a Chippy, old, worn, distressed look. The pieces I chose for this look are usually antique pieces with already worn areas. The milk paint highlights all the imperfections in such a good way!! Shackteau Interoirs milk paint has excellent coverage, amazing adhesion properties AND ZERO BRUSH STROKES. No matter if you're a beginner or a novice there's no brush strokes with milk paint. I only apply milk paint with a paint brush. My favorite is Zibra Brand their 2" angled stubby or the Oval brush.
Milk paint does require prep work, but if you want chippy a light scuff sand and clean is all that's required. You're also not guaranteed to get a chippy finish. I think that's what I like most about milk paint, it's always a surprise! If you don't want the chippy look, but still want to use milk paint, you can use the extra bond. It's a 2:1 ratio..2 parts milk paint to 1 part extra bond.
You also need to topcoat milk paint. You can use hemp oil, wax, or poly!
If you'd like more information on how to mix, apply and general info about Shackteau Interiors Milk Paint, Click Here!
Sherwin Williams-Emerald Urethane Enamel:
I've recently discovered how incredibly amazing this paint line is. It is a water based “Best-In-Class” quality interior/exterior enamel formulated with a urethane modified alkyd resin system for premium quality and performance. It delivers the look, feel and durability of an oil based enamel with the convenience of a water based formula. That means EASY soap & water clean up! Excellent flow, leveling, & coverage!
This paint has an amazing satin sheen! It's EXTREMELY durable. I spray this paint and it is very important to mask up when using this product. I use this paint when I know I'm going to paint the top of a piece. I sell my furniture in a high end store where they display home decor items on top of the furniture. Customers are constantly setting stuff on top of furniture and removing stuff from the tops. When I use this paint, I don't have to worry about my pieces being scratched up, chipped or worn. Sherwin Williams Urethane Enamel is resistant to all of the previously mentioned. This paint does have a 4 hour re-coat time. It is very important to wait the 4 hours...trust me LOL.
This paint is only available in quarts or gallons. I strongly encourage you to create a PRO+ account at your local Sherwin Williams. You get a flat rate discount on all of their products which is SIGNIFICANT. 42%-51% off paint.
If you don't want to create a PRO+ account (it's FREE if you have a business) Sherwin Williams offers TONS of sales throughout the summer months ONLY, 30%-40% off paints & stains.
Price Point: $50.49 29oz with PRO+ $29.49
$120.49 116oz with PRO+ $58.99
If you'd like more info on Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Enamel Line, including SDS sheets, CLICK HERE.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paint for your furniture refinishing projects can significantly impact the final result, and understanding the unique qualities of each brand is essential. Melange Paints, with its rich color palette and smooth finish, is perfect for achieving a high-end look on any piece. The durabilty is great for everyday use furniture. Fusion Mineral Paint offers excellent durability and a matte finish, making them ideal for furniture that sees daily use. Shackteau Interiors Milk Paint provides a beautiful, vintage aesthetic with its natural ingredients and environmentally friendly formulation, perfect for those looking to achieve a rustic or antique look. Lastly, Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Enamel Paint stands out for its advanced durability and sleek finish, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic furniture.
Each of these four paint brands brings its own strengths to the table, catering to different styles and functional needs. Whether you're aiming for a modern, vintage, rustic, or highly durable finish, understanding these options will help you make an informed decision and ensure your refinishing projects turn out beautifully.
Happy painting!
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