A guide to paint your bookcase in white

Bookcase designs cover many patterns. Painting your wooden bookcases in white can give a new look or appearance even to old book display units. It is important to give your white shelf, or shelves, a professional look. To learn how to do this fairly simple task, read the article below.

Preparation for painting

Remove any attachments Begin by removing any attachments, such as the back panel. If you want to paint this, it is easier to do so by separating it from the rest of the unit. It is usually held in place by small nails or tacks. Once removed, set it aside for later use. Cover any fittings that cannot easily be removed with tape. This will protect it from the paint when you begin applying it. Plug holes Cover any screw hole so as to avoid accidentally covering them with paint. Remove any adjustable shelves, as these are easier to paint separately from the main bookcase unit. Clean the bookcase Dust or clean every surface of the unit with a damp cloth. This will help to eliminate any dust or dirt that may have built up on the shelves and walls. Applying paint to a dirty or dusty surface, will result in a poor finish. It may even prevent the paint from adhering to the surfaces on which it is applied.

Applying the paint

Understanding the grain Every piece of wood has grain going in only one direction usually. It is important that you paint each piece separately and in the direction of the grain in the wood. You must never attempt to paint across the grain as this will leave you with a poor finish. The first coat of paint Begin with an undercoat or wood primer by using a suitably-sized roller or paintbrush. If this is the first coat of paint ever applied to the wood, it may require a second coat as the paint will be easily absorbed into the wood. Paint evenly and leave the surface to dry, before applying any additional coat of paint. Final coat of paint Apply the white-coloured topcoat of either a matt or gloss finish, whichever is your preferred type of finish. Allow all surfaces to completely dry before you begin the task of reassembly. Always reassemble the unit in the opposite order to the one in which you dismantled it.