7 Tools You Need for Furniture Upcycling

Today’s guest post has some great tips if you’re up for doing a little furniture upcycling, particularly in terms of the tools you’re going to need. Enjoy!

If you want to get into furniture upcycling, then you will first need the right tools to complete the job. A good starting point is Anglia Tool Centre particularly if you’re wondering which tools might be the most helpful. These are the basics, and while there are many others that you might need, depending on the job, these tools are ones that will always come in very handy indeed.

Paint Stripper

You need two types of paint stripper to get rid of anything that you don’t want on the surface of your furniture piece. Thick, gloopy paint stripper will get rid of thick coats of paint, and thin one for removing old finishes that don’t so much staying power.

Power Sander

After stripping the piece, you need to smooth the surface by sanding it. A power sander can make light work of any surface. Apparently you can sand at 100 – 200 strokes per second (and inconsistently, too), whereas a power sander can sand at 600-800 strokes per minute.

Sandpaper

Good sandpaper will last a long time and still stay sharp. Sandpaper is needed on top of a power sander for fiddly areas.

Stains and Finishes

If you’re new to upcycling furniture, then opting for wipe-on products, as opposed to brush on products will give you a lovely finish. Brush on products, while they are thicker and require fewer coats to create a tough surface, take longer to dry, so you may get drips, sags and brushstrokes in the finish. Wipe on products avoid these problems.

Paint Sprayer

Paint sprayers make painting quick and easy. There are lots to choose from, including airless paint sprayers, self-contained HVLP paint sprayers and HVLP paint sprayers with an air compressor. Which you choose is up to you, as they seem to work for different people and projects. If you’re planning on upcycling a lot, then this could be the perfect investment tool for you. It will save you a lot of time.

Brushes

Brushes are a really important tool for upcycling furniture. Buy the best brushes that you can afford, as it will make a real difference to the quality of your paintwork. They will last a long time, and they will lay down a smoother layer of paint, reducing the appearance of brush strokes.

Cloths

Not a particularly glamourous tool, but cloths are an essential. There’s no need to buy new cloths, though. Instead, use old cotton t-shirts that are lint-free.

Images: Tools via Shutterstock