How to paint an unfinished spice rack? Spray or latex? Primer?

Question

I have 3 unfinished pine pieces I'll use as a spice rack (they're like open-top boxes to be mounted on the wall). I'd like to paint them but i wasn't looking for a huge, costly project. I thought I could just spray-paint them. Is primer absolutely necessary? Would it be just as easy to use brush-on paint and primer? I'm not looking for perfect results and I don't want to buy lots of tools & such.

Answer 1

Primer is necessary on any bare surface. You could paint these without primer, the paint will probably stick but you will have to use several coats to get a consistent coverage. Best to go ahead and use primer. Buying the primer will be cheaper than using several coats of paint.

Spray paint should be fine for this project, both the primer and the paint. Make sure the products you select are designed for use on wood. This will likely end up being oil based paint, there are few if any latex based spray paints that work well. Oil based paint is a bit messier to clean up, but you would not have any brushes to deal with. Spray outside if possible, use paper or plastic to catch the overspray and cleanup should be minimal.

If you don't want to spray, a good latex paint would be a good choice as well. Latex primer for wood, not drywall primer. You should be able to buy a quart, maybe even pint or half pint. Paint should be an acrylic latex.

Answer 2

The easiest and probably least expensive way is to use a can of spray primer (preferably not in the house) then get a couple cans of spray paint to finish it. You can get the finish coat (spray) in flat, semi-gloss or hi-gloss. Whatever you prefer! Try not to spray if it's windy, wait for a calm day. Easy job, good luck, Jim

Answer 3

you need to use kilms primer ,two coats let the first coat dry over night , latex doesnt tend to apply well to oil base primers,it will peel off ,the spots i asume are oil come ing thru the paint , if all else fails , try again sorry ....., oil primer has oil in it ,latex is rubber based right , like a car slipping on a wet oily road , just wont do

Answer 4

You usually need to prime unfinished wood first and pine is porous so you should or you'll just be wasting paint. I use a brush because I always make a mess with spray paint.

Answer 5

I found if the item has a lot of "nooks and crannies" its always easier to spray,basically it depends on the intricacy of what your painting. As far as primer or no primer thats your call.

Answer 6

there are many ways to do this if you're not looking for a professional result. priming makes for a smoother result. you could try just cleaning it (may be a little sanding) and then just spray paint.. see how it turns out .. if it doesn't look too good, them sand it again and re-paint.

Answer 7

Would you be open to natural wood look, or will it clash with your cabinetry?

If going natural, sand the wood then use spray varnish. If you want a different color than the natural wood, stain can be found with or without varnish mixed in.

If you want to blend with your cabinetry, sand, prime, sand, and then use a finish coat.

Answer 8

without the prine the wood would suck up the paint unless they are old but either way could be done