How to Refinish Furniture Using Good Bones Paint

What is Good Bones Paint?

Good Bones Paint is a high-quality, durable “chalk type” paint created for DIYers, painters, and contractors. More durable than traditional chalk paint, it can withstand wear and tear, requires no priming, no sanding, no sealing, and is made to stick.

The company was founded by Charlie Davis, a Charlottesville native and owner of Piedmont Paint and Finish and Pigment: The Paint Workshop. Through running these companies, Charlie discovered that he needed a paint that performed better, was more durable, and more adaptable than what he could find in the market. An experienced team of designers, artists, chemists, and professional contractors came together, and Good Bones Paint was born.

What makes it Good?

Good Bones paint has superior bonding qualities, is fast drying, and cures to a durable finish. With zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), Good Bones is eco-conscious and safe to use. And Good Bones paint is made to stick. That’s right, no sanding, or very little… take your pick. And Good Bones is formulated to be suitable for exterior and interior applications.

Good Bones. It refers to furniture you want to paint, furniture that has “good bones.” It also refers to our high calcium carbonate content—It’s what gives us a superior “chalk-like” finish.

How do I use Good Bones Paint?

Good Bones Paint can be applied using different techniques. A synthetic brush and a reasonable amount of paint are optimal. But go ahead, wipe, roll, or spray. Clean your surface with a damp cloth and allow it to dry. If you have a high gloss surface or bits of peeling paint, you will want to sand with light grit sandpaper to remove loose paint. Then apply Good Bones Paint. Good Bones Paint is self-priming, so typically, a primer is not needed. (VERY rarely, old stains can bleed through. Test a small area of your piece first to determine if extra priming with a shellac-based primer is required.)

Good Bones paint can be used on raw wood, metal, and most other surfaces. When painting on natural wood, we recommend a light wash of color first. The wash is simple: add a small amount of paint to some water (look for a milky consistency), lightly wipe over the bare wood, and let dry. The wash will bond to the wood, allowing you to do a full coat after, which should be sufficient — no need to buy an extra primer. When painting on metal, remove old paint and rust. Use a wire brush to remove flaking or loose pieces. Then go ahead and paint. Allow time for the paint to cure.

Let’s Get Creative

Although Good Bones Paint requires no sanding or sealing, feel free to get creative. You can seal and sand to distress, etc., for specific looks. Good Bones Paint also carries its natural, handmade furniture waxes in various colors to add that wow factor to pieces. Wax has become a popular topcoat for furniture projects with a chalk-like paint base. Why? Because chalk furniture is porous – wax quickly absorbs into the surface and seals painted surfaces with a beautiful, natural-looking soft sheen when the wax hardens. Customize and re-fab cabinets, furniture, and decor in your home and yard. Use wax sparingly and buff it well after. It shouldn’t feel tacky. Always give it time to cure.

Good Bones’ home base is Charlottesville, where every paint is hand-poured and hand-tinted. Cardinal Homes Center is proud to support local businesses that are invested in our community, such as Good Bones Paint. Visit one of our three locations in Madison, Charlottesville, or Crozet, and our paint experts can answer any questions and help get you started on your Good Bones project.