Waxed Cabinets Painting Advice

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taxboy

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We've got a couple of waxed pine bedside cabinets that higher management was planning to sell but after trawling the Internet has asked me to paint. She's asked for a standard decent paint finish so no shabby chic, crazing or anything else fancy.... phew.

So to all the skilled painters out there can you please offer advice on the preparation techniques for doing this task and if I need specialist primers undercoats etc

All advice appreciated
 
Good luck!!! I would ask her to get the correct paint and primer to do the job (and, ideally to do the job herself). Sanding back through the wax will be a biatch of a job and I'm not sure if there are any paints that will stick properly to a waxed surface.
 
The wax will need removed before painting, I'm currently removing wax from doors to redo with Danish oil. Colron wax remover from b&q is as good as any, use a medium steel wool with wax remover. It might need a help gently scraping the gunge off. Once I cleaned up the mess I gave a dry rub with medium grade steel wool then fine grade. It came up a treat.

Tip: take it outside if you can ...it stinks and will probably make you high:)
 
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Several years ago we used something called ESP. It's supposed to prep pretty much any surface - I know it worked on some old melamine cabinets. I also really like Leyland Acrylic primer from Screwfix. I bet those together would give you a good surface to start from.
 
zinsser bin shellac primer will prime just about any surface. Check if it will work with wax.
 
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FWIW, if a cabinet needs painting to make it saleable, the cost of the paint will probably be more than the cabinet will fetch after refinishing, especially if your time is taken into account.
 
Your problem will not just be wax it wil also be the silicone used in many household polishes.
I have usually used acetone to remove varnish and wax down to the bare wood. (But use all solvents outside)
As some one mentioned wire wool is a great help, but never use it on oak as it stains it black, where the particles lodge in the grain.

unless you can take them apart, sanding down a bedside unit can be a nightmare and not worth the trouble.
 
Nod said:
FWIW, if a cabinet needs painting to make it saleable, the cost of the paint will probably be more than the cabinet will fetch after refinishing, especially if your time is taken into account.
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No its not for sale. Higher management thought about selling it in its natural waxed state but then had her head turned by pictures of painted furniture. So I have a horrible feeling this could turn into a big job for a couple of small items [emoji1]
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
Your problem will not just be wax it wil also be the silicone used in many household polishes.
I have usually used acetone to remove varnish and wax down to the bare wood. (But use all solvents outside)
As some one mentioned wire wool is a great help, but never use it on oak as it stains it black, where the particles lodge in the grain.

unless you can take them apart, sanding down a bedside unit can be a nightmare and not worth the trouble.
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Thanks for the tips but they're pine so shouldn't have that problem
 
taxboy said:
No its not for sale. Higher management thought about selling it in its natural waxed state but then had her head turned by pictures of painted furniture. So I have a horrible feeling this could turn into a big job for a couple of small items [emoji1]
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DEFINITELY get her to do it herself then!!! :D
 
taxboy said:
horrible feeling this could turn into a big job for a couple of small items
emoji1.png
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Let her see you take them into your shed/garage & pretend to spend a couple of hours sussing them out.

Wait until she's out ................... then sell or charity shop em! ;)
Then purchase similar painted ones. :cool:
 
OldCarlos said:
Let her see you take them into your shed/garage & pretend to spend a couple of hours sussing them out.

Wait until she's out ................... then sell or charity shop em! ;)
Then purchase similar painted ones. :cool:
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I like a man with a plan [emoji1]
 
yeah you need to get the wax off before prime and paint.
I would get them outside on the patio with some sort of solvent and get high.
 
A good dose of organic solvent and a match - problem solved!!!
 
You HAVE to remove the wax first, and Meths is the thing you need in my opinion.
Try to remove as much of the wax as possible first - a decent scraper like this -

http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/v...FBhflj9LBAIZrMF00ToffGRacs2QxDJsQEhoCb6vw_wcB

followed by sanding and wire wool and then use meths.

As for painting, once you have a clean surface it won't be hard. Zinsser make a few products, and as mentioned above by rjbell there is BIN, which is overkill for this I would think. Coverstain is a solvent based primer and 123 plus is a water based - I would expect both to be up to the job, with 123 being way easier to use.
As for paint - whatever you want, but try to avoid buying from the 'sheds' and go to a decent paint shop. If you want to try some really decent paint then give Benjamin Moore paints a go -

https://www.benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk/

The people there are very helpful, know their products and sell very good paint which is not cheap, but is worth every penny in my mind - on my current job it will save me a day as one less coats is needed and I know the difference between the cost of my time and a tin of paint...!
 
taxboy said:
he's asked for a standard decent paint finish so no shabby chic, crazing or anything else fancy.... phew.
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taxboy said:
had her head turned by pictures of painted furniture.
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.. check if it's not chalk paints she's seen, they seem to be the current fashion for this sort of thing..
 
Not sure if there is anywhere in your area, but you might be able to get them `dipped` at a reasonable cost.
 
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