As a professional furniture painter for the last 5 years (and an amateur before that!), I’ve tried A LOT of products and brands. I’m often asked what I use, so I’ve compiled a list here for you.
These are my go-to products,and I wouldn’t recommend them if they weren’t the BEST of the best!
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Prep Products
Bondo
Bondo is fast-drying and super durable, so I use it to fill in big gaps and deep scratches. You can even use it to mold a whole missing section of moulding or a buffet leg!
White Lightning
You mix this granulated cleaner with warm water, and spray or wipe it onto your piece to wash it. Use gloves, and rinse with clean water. This is the most important step in your makeover!
Dixie Belle Mud
This wood filler is the easiest by far I’ve ever used. It stays pliable in the jar, and sands beautifully once dry. Plus, it comes in black, brown or white.
BOSS
This priming product blocks odors, stains and stops bleed-through. It does as well as shellac, without the major fumes.
Shop Towels
Stronger than regular paper towels, these are great for cleaning pieces, wiping back stain, and cleaning up messes. Then you just toss them for easy clean-up.
Sanding Sponges
I love these ones with a padded back because they are easier on your hands, and they mould to the surface you are sanding.
Dixie Belle Mud Spatula
This is the perfect little tool for spreading Dixie Belle “mud” wood filler where you need it. It’s plastic,so it won’t damage wood. And it washes off easily.
Slick Stick
Another primer, but this one is best for ensuring paint sticks to a slippery smooth or shiny surface. I’ve used it over laminate with great results.
Paint Products
Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint
Available in over 60 colors, this paint glides on easily, has great coverage, and sands butter smooth. You will need 1 coat for dark colors, and 2 coats for light colors. A little paint goes a long way!
Synthetic Brushes
These brushes give a smooth finish with no brush marks, and they wash out easily. Of all the sizes and shapes, my favorites are the large round and the mini.
Stains & Glazes
No Pain Gel Stain
Gel stain is the easiest way to get a stained top on your farmhouse pieces. You can also use it to create layered old world finishes. It is oil-based, though, so use an old chip brush or sock to apply it so you can toss it after.
Glaze
Glazes can be what adds that uniquely artistic hand-finished touch to your piece, and separate it from factory-finished furniture.
Voodoo Gel Stain
I love this stain for raw wood, especially to create a barnwood look using Tobacco Road and Up in Smoke. This one is water-based, so easy soap and water clean up.
Patina Collection
It’s so fun to experiment with these products to get rusty metallic finishes in all different colors. Hardware, decor, picture frames, or even furniture!
Top Coats
Gator Hide
Easy application, smooth durable finish, slight satin sheen. This is my favorite top coat of all time!
Blue Sponge
This tool is deceptively simple. It’s a handle and an applicator all in one. Just dampen it, and apply your top coat in smooth even strokes.
Clear Coat
This clear coat comes in Flat, Satin and Gloss. I have used all of them, depending on the finish I’m going for.
Easy Peasy Spray Wax
I don’t usually top coat my pieces with wax, since the paint is self-sealing. But if I want a little more shine, I’ll use this super easy spray wax.