Chipboard, which is also known as paperboard or cardboard, is a type of thick paper material that consists of pressed fibers. Chipboard is a material that comes from 100% recycled materials and can consist of different levels of recycled paper that are commonly used to make lightweight furniture including stools, benches, and bookcases.
Besides being used to make a variety of homeware, chipboard is also a popular type of flooring that is commonly used while making laminate flooring.
Besides being super affordable and a cost-effective way of decorating floors, it’s also one of the most eco-friendly materials in the flooring industry, so it’s easy to see the appeal.
Besides all of that, thanks to the smooth surface of the chipboard, it means that it’s also relatively easy to paint – so long as you know how!
Whether you’d like to spruce up your flooring or update an item of furniture, below, we’re going to be talking you through how to correctly paint your chipboard, as well as some additional helpful insights along the way. Let’s jump right into it.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Chipboard?
There are a variety of benefits of choosing to use a chipboard. Besides being an extremely affordable material, chipboard is specifically designed to be smooth, chip-resistant, and safe to use, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy a long service life without the need for frequent replacement.
Plus, if glued correctly while creating flooring, the chipboard has the ability to offer a stable and secure floor that won’t buckle or bend, and the best part? You can get it for a fraction of the price of other flooring materials.
How To Paint Chipboard Furniture Items:
If you have chipboard furniture or homeware items that you’d like to rejuvenate with some paint, then the first thing you should do prior to painting is preparing the space you plan on painting the item.
Keep in mind that paint contains VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can be potentially dangerous to your health if inhaled, so we strongly recommend that you choose an area of your home that is well-ventilated with windows, and even a few fans if possible to help create a consistent airflow.
Besides this, you should also consider laying down an old sheet or plastic covering on the floor and over any surrounding furniture that you are unable to temporarily move to a different location.
By doing this, you will make sure that you do not accidentally get paint anywhere it shouldn’t be! Then, last but not least, make sure that you are wearing old clothing that you do not mind getting stained with paint, as well as wearing gloves that you can dispose of once you have finished painting.
When you’re ready to begin painting your chipboard item, begin by first coating the chipboard with a layer of primer, such as this one.
Chipboard is a very porous material, so it’s important that you make sure to use a primer prior to painting, as this will help to create a protective layer that will seal the surface of the chipboard, while also increasing the adhesiveness so that the paint will be better able to bond when painted over the top.
Once you have given your primer enough time to dry, the next step will be to then begin painting your chipboard item. Ideally, we recommend that you opt for latex paint (this is a great one) rather than oil-based paint, as heavy oil-based paint has the tendency to sink into the surface of the chipboard, even with a primer applied.
Once you have finished applying your coats and you’re happy with the finish, you can then leave the paint to dry, before then applying a sealant to give your paint job a glossy finish.
- Related Post: Can You Paint Over Chipped Paint?
How To Paint Chipboard Flooring:
If you’ve got some chipboard flooring that you’d like to transform with a lick of paint, then the process required to correctly do it doesn’t differ too much from the process required to paint chipboard homeware or furniture.
To begin, make sure that the surface of the chipboard flooring is clean and free of any debris. Then, carefully remove any surrounding objects or furniture that may get in the way of painting the entirety of the floor.
Once you have done this, take some sellotape and carefully trim out the edges of the floor, as this will help to prevent you from accidentally painting outside the lines of the chipboard.
When you’re ready to begin, start by gently sanding the chipboard flooring with a piece of medium-grit sandpaper, as this will help to roughen up the smooth surface so that the primer and paint will have something to stick to.
Then, once you have done this, go ahead and apply your latex primer, and then give it time to dry. Once dry, gently sand the surface and apply the first coat of your chosen latex paint, before once again giving the coat time to dry.
As a side note, many people opt to use a roller while painting flooring, as they are able to cover larger areas of the surface more quickly than a paintbrush.
Once you have given the coat of paint enough time to dry, you can then go ahead and gently buff the surface using your medium grit sandpaper once again, as this will ensure that the next coat of paint that you apply will be able to bond to the surface of the dried coat of paint.
Keep repeating this process until you have painted your desired amount of paint layers onto the surface of the chipboard, before then finishing it off with one coat of sealant. It’s very important that you don’t forget to seal your painted chipboard, otherwise, you’ll likely find that the dried paint coats will be more prone to peeling, stains, and surface scratches.
If you need a recommendation, then we suggest using this one designed specifically for flooring.
Best Paint for Chipboard
Acrylic and latex paints are the best paints or chipboard painting projects. The key to ensuring that you get the best outcome on your chipboard painting project is to ensure that you prime the surface thoroughly. I would suggest letting the primer sit for at least four hours before you begin painting.
Particle (chip) board tends to absorb paint if it is not primed first.
Best Primer For Chipboard
Adhesion primers work really well for chipboard projects. They do a great job of sealing the porous surface while also allowing the paint to grip properly to the surface. For the best results, allow the primer to sit for at least four hours before painting.
