How to Paint the Structure of a Metal Bed

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Knowing how to paint the skeleton of a metal bed is important when you want to remodel your bedroom with a new color scheme, repair damage, or totally refurbish an old or recycled bed frame. With a couple of simple tools and a little time and patience, repainting a bed frame is something anyone can do. There are two methods of finishing metal bed frames, with spray paint or with a brush.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Painting a Metal Bed Frame with Spray Paint

Choose to spray paint your bed frame if the skeleton is already relatively good, and needs a simple one color varnish, with no details such as etched or embossed designs on the frame.

Step 1. Find a good place to paint

• It must be a well-ventilated, dry place with temperatures between 7 ° C and 29 ° C.
• It should be relatively free of dust and insects, and inaccessible to children and animals who could disturb the structure as the paint dries.
• There should be something in the area against which the parts can rest as you paint the paints and let them dry. You could use a sawing stand, ladder, or an old chair. You could also attach a painter's sheet to a wall and lean the bed frame against it.

Step 2. Disassemble the metal bed frame into as many pieces as you can

As you work, pay attention to how the bed is assembled so that you can reassemble it correctly. Store the screws, bolts, and other small hardware in a secure container.

Step 3. Wash the frame pieces with water and dish soap, and dry them with a cloth

Pay attention to corners, crevices and designs, Make sure all dirt is blown away.

Step 4. Sand the entire surface with medium grit sandpaper

• all old paint must be scraped off and all rust removed.

  

• You might need rougher sandpaper or a wire brush for extremely rusty areas to start with, but finish with medium-grained sandpaper.

  

• All crumbling and peeling paint needs to be removed but not all of it needs to be removed.

  

Step 5. Clean up any chips of dust and rust or old paint from the area before you begin repainting

Cover the area you will be painting with painter's canvas or old newspapers.

Step 6. Wipe the structure with a tack cloth (available at hardware stores) to remove any particles left over from sanding

Step 7. Wipe the framework again with a soft, damp cloth

Step 8. Sort the bed frame pieces against your stand (easel, wall, etc.)

Step 9. Spray metal paint primer all over the structure

• When one surface is dry, turn the pieces over and spray the other side.

• Use slow, sweeping motions with the spray and avoid heavy dripping hands.

  

• Let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.

  

Step 10. Paint the frame with the spray paint

• This paint should be rustproof, and suitable for use on metal.

• Use the same soft, stable sweeping motions for even coverage.

  

• Let the first surface dry completely, then turn the pieces over and paint the other side.

Step 11. Apply a second layer exactly like the first

Pay attention to corners and decorated areas to make sure they don't hold too much paint or remain empty.

Step 12. Let the texture dry and apply a third coat if you want a smoother finish

Step 13. Push the frame screws and bolts into a cardboard box, with the heads on the surface, and spray paint them so that the heads are the same color as the bed

Let it dry.

Step 14. Apply a coat of clear fixer to the framework to ensure the longest durability, and let dry

Step 15. Reassemble the metal bed frame

Method 2 of 2: Paint a Metal Bed Frame with a Brush

Paint your metal bed frame with a paintbrush if you have breathing problems that could get worse with inhaling spray particles or fumes. You'll also want to use a paint brush if you're working on a design (e.g. making stripes or adding out). If the structure has many ornate designs such as swirls, hand painting will give you more coverage and better detail.

Step 1. Follow the previous steps required to prepare the metal for painting

Step 2. Apply a coat of metal paint primer

Use soft strokes and do not overload the brush to avoid drips and drips.

Step 3. Let the surface dry and then flip the pieces over and paint the other side of each

Let it dry.

Step 4. Apply an acrylic or oil based paint to the metal, using soft and stable strokes, and avoiding drips and drips

Let one side dry, turn the pieces over and paint the other side.

Step 5. Apply a second coat of paint as above when the first one has dried

Check the paint label to find out how long to allow the paint to set between coats. A third coat may be required with some paints.

Step 6. Paint designs such as flowers or stripes after the last coat of paint has dried, and let the details dry

Step 7. Paint the screw heads as described above, using the brush rather than the spray

This process will allow you to incorporate other details if you want.

Step 8. Apply a coat of clear varnish fixer to the bed frame after all layers of varnish have dried

Step 9. Let the fixative dry before reassembling the metal bed frame

Advice

• As you disassemble the frame, check the screws or bolts to see if the threads are worn or the heads are damaged, and replace them.
• Have different sized brushes ready when you paint a bed frame so you can paint all areas effectively.
• Use an old toothbrush to scrub dirt or rust out of crevices.
• Sandblasting the structure in a place other than where it will be painted keeps dust chips and old paint away from the repainted surface.
• Car polish can be used instead of clear fixative to protect bed frames.

Warnings

• Wear goggles when using spray paint.
• Make sure you buy a suitable color for metals. Latex and some other paints don't work well.
• Wear a mask when sanding if the paint may be old and contain lead. Similarly, anyone with asthma or other respiratory problems should wear a protective mask for sandblasting.
• Repainting on brass is not easy and should be left to the professionals. Brass is better polished than repainted.
• Always paint in a well-ventilated place and wear a protective mask. Fans can help disperse paint fumes.

Things You’ll Need

• Screwdriver, pliers, wrenches and other tools to disassemble the bed frame
• Painter's towels or old newspapers
• Medium grain glass paper
• Adherent cloth
• Soft and clean cloths
• Dish soap
• Primer for metal
• Paint for metal
• Brushes if you paint by hand
• Protective mask
• Goggles
• A small cardboard box to paint the heads of screws and bolts