Your Paint Is Missing One Secret Ingredient for Scoring a Perfect Finish (Yes, Even on Furniture!)
If you have an old dresser from your childhood bedroom or a tired nightstand you found on Facebook Marketplace, a can of paint seems like the obvious way to give it a new lease on life. And it is! A vibrant coat of color can refresh even the dingiest piece with minimal effort.
The only issue? Scoring a flawless, pro-worthy finish. If you’re not careful, you can end up with painted furniture that looks more like a discarded elementary school craft project than something you’d pick up in a curated antique store. From drips to brush stokes, it can be hard to nail a flawless finish. Often, it feels like the professional furniture flippers must know some secret tricks of the trade that you do not. (Hint: That’s because they do.)
The secret ingredient several DIYers, including Marielle Conlon and Leah Hodson (@thestanleydiary), swear by is paint conditioner.
The Secret Ingredient to a Smooth Paint Finish
Conlon often flips past-their-prime furniture pieces into gorgeous lacquered treasures, which are perfect for making a bold statement but not so perfect when it comes to scoring a forgiving finish. High-gloss paint can be notoriously hard to work with, especially if you’re working with an aged surface. “I use paint conditioner every day,” she says. “It can also be called reducer or extender — either way, it’s a good idea to add to your paint when you’re redoing furniture or painting cabinets, especially if you’re working with chalk paint, latex, or oil-based paints,” Conlon says.
Hodson, who has taken on several makeovers in her home, calls paint conditioner “the single best decorating tip” she’s ever learned. She also recently posted a comprehensive reel using the technique, noting that it helps her achieve a pristine finish and banishes brush marks.
How Paint Conditioner Works
According to Conlon, paint conditioner helps to improve the consistency of the paint, sort of similar to how conditioner makes your hair smoother! In turn, it makes the paint easier to apply and creates a smoother, more even finish. In other words, it’s the leg up many amateur DIYers need, especially if you’re working without specialized tools like paint sprayers.
“Paint conditioner slows down the drying time of the paint, essentially extending its working time so it can level out on its own before drying,” Conlon explains. “It also acts as a thinner to improve the flow of the paint, allowing it to level out more evenly on the surface.” She notes that this one simple product will give you a uniform finish, a more level paint application, fewer drips, and better, more consistent coverage.
In her video explanation, Hodson gives a shout-out to her favorite paint conditioner from OWATROL, which she’s been using for years to give DIY projects around her home — including built-in storage units and IKEA hacks — a professional (and durable) finish. She often pours it directly into the can and mixes it well before tackling a paint job.
OWATROL Easy Flow Paint Additive
Amazon
$18.10
How to Use Paint Conditioner Properly
Here’s the catch: Paint conditioner may make it easier to score a near-perfect finish, but it only works when incorporated into your painting method properly. To start, Conlon suggests double-checking that the conditioner you’ve chosen is compatible with the paint you’re using. She typically relies on M-1 Extender for latex-based projects but emphasizes that it’s not a one-size-fits-all selection.
M-1 Latex-Based Extender
Lowe's
$8.98
Buy Now
“Just as oil-based paints and latex-based paints cannot use the same thinners, they cannot use the same conditioner or extenders,” she adds. “You wouldn’t thin an oil-based paint with water, so if you’re working with an oil-based paint, make sure the conditioner is also compatible with oil-based products.”
Next, Conlon recommends paying attention to the ratio of conditioner to paint. This can be determined both by the type of conditioner you choose, as well as outside factors such as the weather (dry heat means you’ll need more conditioner). Be sure to mix your conditioner and paint thoroughly, and avoid using too much product. “Whenever you ‘cut’ paint or introduce another product into your paint, you risk losing some of its original properties,” Conlon says. For example, she typically uses high gloss paint, and too much conditioner can easily dull its finish.
Lastly, even the best conditioner will have a tough time fighting against a shoddy brush. “Even with a paint conditioner, the type of brush you use will impact the final result,” Conlon says. She recommends using a high-quality synthetic or foam brush for the best results.
Further Reading
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
