The best tip I got before starting this project was to make sure to do the prep work right. It makes all the difference. What they didn’t tell me was how frustrating and how much longer the prep work makes the project, but it was worth it in the end.

Must have tools

1. Sandpaper
2. Primer
3. Undercoat
4. Paint
5. Paint brushes or rollers
6. Top coat or varnish
7. Turpentine
8. Drip sheet

Firstly, I used the sand paper to smooth the shelf and remove the layer of varnish already on the surface. Next I applied a layer of pink primer. Interestingly, the primer is pink to defuse the red lead in timber, this might not be in the wood anymore but the pink still helps to neutralize the colour.

Next I applied a layer of undercoat over the primer. Make sure to leave enough time for the primer to dry properly.

For the primer and undercoat I used a paint brush to cover the sides and corners and a roller to give it a smooth finish. I enjoy the look of the rolled paint much more than the paint brush. Remember to have a paint pan for this.

A day later I did the final layer of paint. Thanks to proper prep with primer and undercoat I only needed one layer of the final paint. I used Builders Warehouse Fired Earth House brand for Walls and Wood in the colour Shadow Beige and I am in love with this colour.

Finally apply the top coat and you can clean your brushes with the turpentine.

I watched many many many videos on how to clean the brushes and nothing I did worked out the same way, so if you are like me, you want to DIY but you don’t want the hassle of too much clean after, make sure you do the following things.

Number 1, make sure you lay down a drip sheet. You will mess. Don’t lie to yourself. Secondly, if you get 3 sets of brushes. One for each layer, especially if the cleaning of the brushes fail you like it did for me.

That’s it.

I had a serious love, hate relationship with this entire process. I loved how soothing it was to apply and smooth each late, I hated how long paint takes to dry.

BEFORE

AFTER