How to paint a metal bed frame

Video: My DIY Metal Bed Frame Painting Process

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 2: Spray-paint the metal bed frame
Method 2 of 2: Painting the metal bed frame with a brush
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

Knowing how to paint metal elements will come in handy when you want to update your bedroom color scheme and need to paint over scratches or completely polish an old metal bed. Anyone who knows how to use a few simple tools and is willing to invest their time and patience in such a project can do this. You can achieve what you want in two ways: painting with a brush or using a spray.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Spray-paint the metal bed frame

Choose spray paint if you want to paint the bed frame in one color and it is in good condition. This is the ideal method for flat surfaces, as the various appliqués and carvings will make the job much more difficult.

1 Find a suitable spot to paint.
- A dry, well-ventilated room with a temperature of 7-29 ° C is suitable.
- The paint room should be as clean as possible (minimum of dust and insects). You also need to make sure that cats, dogs and other pets do not enter while the paint dries.
- There should be some kind of paintwork in the room, against which you can lean the parts of the disassembled bed. You can use the tools at hand: trestles for sawing wood, a ladder, an old chair, etc. If nothing fits, you can stick a piece of fabric to the wall and lean the bed frame against it.
2 Take the bed apart. Pay attention to how they were connected together to avoid difficulties when reassembling. Use a box to store bolts, nuts, and other small parts.
3 Wash the frame elements with water and kitchen detergents, wipe and dry thoroughly. Pay attention to the corners and grooves in the designer pieces. There should be no dirt left.
4 Sand the entire frame with a medium grit sandpaper.
- It is necessary to sand all areas of old paint and completely remove the rust.
- Large areas of rust may require a coarse grit or wire brush, but after that a final sanding with medium grit is required.
- Any loose pieces of old paint should be removed, but it is not necessary to remove all old paint.
5 Remove the area to be painted so that there are no pieces of old paint and rust particles. Cover the area to be painted with old newspaper or unnecessary cloth.
6 Run a sticky cloth (available from hardware stores) over the frame to remove any particles left over from sanding.
7 Go over the frame again with a dry, soft cloth.
8 Install the parts to be painted onto the paint stand (wood sawing trestle, wall, etc.)etc.).
9 Use a spray gun to apply a coat of primer paint.
- After one side is dry, turn the pieces over and work on the opposite side.
- To avoid a thick layer and smudges of paint, the movements should be smooth and wide.
- The primer must be completely dry before proceeding with the next step.
10 Use a spray gun to paint the frame with base paint.
- The paint must be rust resistant and designed for metal.
- In order for the coverage to be uniform, hand movements must be smooth and wide at all times.
- Wait for the paint to dry completely on one side, and then turn the parts over to paint the other side.
11 Apply a second coat of paint using the same sequence as for the first coat. Pay attention to the corners and grooves in the design elements. There should be no accumulation of paint, and there should also be no unpainted areas.
12 If you want a completely smooth finish, apply another coat of paint after the second coat has dried.
13 Screw the bolts and screws into the cardboard box so that only the heads protrude out, and paint them with the same paint to match the color of the main frame. Wait until dry.
14 Apply a layer of clear varnish to the frame to protect the paint for long-term use. Wait for the varnish to dry.
15 Assemble the metal bed frame and headboard pieces.

Method 2 of 2: Painting the metal bed frame with a brush

This painting method is preferred for those with respiratory problems. The ingress of small drops of paint and its vapors into the respiratory system can cause complications, so it is better to refuse to use a spray bottle. In addition, the brush is more suitable for painting beds with patterns (flowers, stripes, etc.). You should also opt for a tassel if the headboard is decorated with carvings and ornaments. In this case, hand painting will make it possible to apply the paint more evenly and keep the clear boundaries of the pattern.

1 Follow the steps in the previous method to prepare the frame for painting.
2 Take a paintbrush and apply a coat of primer paint to the bed. Do not paint too much and use smooth strokes to avoid streaks.
3 Wait for the primer to dry and turn the part over to the other side. Apply a coat of primer and let it dry.
4 For basic painting use acrylic or oil paint for metal. Make sure that the movements are even, then there will be no drips and spreading of paint. After the first side is dry, turn the pieces over and paint the back side.
5 Repeat the above operation to apply a second coat of paint. The next layer should be applied after the previous one has completely dried. This gap may vary from ink to ink, so check the package insert or ink container to give the ink enough time to dry. Some paints require a 3-coat application.
6After applying and drying the paint on the main part of the frame, you can start painting the design elements.
7 To paint bolts and screws, use the above technique, using a brush instead of a spray gun. If desired, this technology can be used for other elements from the bedroom, if you want to paint different things in the same style.
8When the last coat of paint is dry, apply a coat of clear varnish over it.
9Wait for the varnish to dry and start assembling the bed frame.

Tips

Use multiple brush sizes to improve the effectiveness of your hand paint job.
When disassembling the bed, pay attention to the condition of the bolts and screws. If the threads are knocked off and / or the caps are worn out, it is best to replace them with new ones.
Car polish can be used instead of varnish to protect the paint.
Use a stiff toothbrush to clean dirt and rust from cavities.
It is better to remove dirt and rust in a separate room, and not where you will paint the parts. This will protect the painted surface from micro-inclusions of dust and dirt.

Warnings

Use protective goggles when working with the spray gun.
Make sure the paint you like is for metal. You will not get the desired effect using emulsion paints and some other types of paints.
Wear a respirator or bandage to protect your respiratory system while cleaning the bed from rust and old paint.If you have asthma or other respiratory problems, this is a must.
Copper is the most difficult to paint. It is better to entrust this work to professionals, or to polish the metal, and not paint such elements.
Always paint in a well-ventilated area while wearing a respirator. You can use a fan to clear the fumes from the room faster.