PREP FOR SUCCESS
“Normally” when painting most wood furniture no sanding or priming is required but in cases where the surface is extremely smooth, rough up the surface area lightly with 120 or 220 grit sandpaper.
Always clean your work by scrubbing it using the green side of a Scotch Brite Sponge with Krud Kutter Gloss-Off or Simple Green, then use a damp cloth to wipe it dry.
For MDF (medium density fiberboard) plastic laminate and IKEA furniture – scuff sand with 220 grit sandpaper, apply a coat of XIM UMA primer.
For Thermafoil (thin vinyl film on cabinets) remove the Thermafoil film by peeling it off, scuff sand with 220 grit sandpaper, apply a coat of XIM UMA primer.
NOTE: if you are painting on Oak, Cherry or Mahogany wood there are tannins that can leach out. In this case, add two coats of a stain blocking primer to prevent the tannins from leaching out. Let your work dry a minimum of 1 hour before proceeding.
Over raw wood the grain will raise, to overcome this apply 2 coats of a Sanding Sealer prior to painting. Otherwise you will need to sand with 220 grit sandpaper between paint coats.
On kitchen cabinets in addition to cleaning with Krud Kutter Gloss-Off or Simple Green use denatured alcohol, this will remove grease that has accumulated in the kitchen.