Painting wood furniture has its difficulties! Learn to permanently block tannin bleed-through from wood stains and knot holes with these two tried and tested options.
Also helpful: How to choose the best paint for furniture – How to Repair Wood Wood (no sanding!) – Must Know Equipment Preparation and Repair Tips
Painting Wood Furniture: Preventing Tannin Bleed-Through
(How to Permanently Cover Knots and Old Stain)
of Elisha in Addicted to pneumatic
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I love to build DIY furniture. Sometimes it was new, raw wood and sometimes I covered the old finish.
Either way, I’ve painted wood furniture projects that look great ever since, especially white or light paint, the tannins start to bleed. Nasuko!
So what are tannins?
Brass naturally occurring ingredients found in wood and other plants, including those in coffee, tea and grapes / wine. They help prevent disease and control plant growth.
Due to their chemical nature, tannins penetrate the surface, even when the wood is completely dried and well painted. Wood stain chemicals do the same.
Stained wood, like the mahogany finish pictured below, is the worst culprit. The holes in the will are also repeatedly guilty!
More than once, I went through the recommended steps for painting wood furniture: sanding, applying primer, two coats of paint AND 2-3 coats of clear finish, just to see the small pink spots that come to the top.
It’s annoying! Sometimes it’s even large, colorless blanks from wood knots.
I’ve tried almost every type of primer you can buy, even the “stain first blockers” and the only product that hasn’t failed me yet is my old standby shellac.
Painting Wood Furniture: Preventing Tannin Bleed-Through in Shellac
I first used shellac on get a smooth finish to paint the MDF, but it also makes a strange first that inhibits tannin as well. It comes in a brush-on formula or a can be aerosol.
Shellac can be covered in any different finish (oil -based paint, water -based paint, stained, etc.).
I had already started applying a coat or two before painting each time I use a bright color.
It dries very quickly so you can continue painting without losing a ton of hours. It’s worth a little extra time, trust me!
Note: As always, follow the application instructions that can be on the can, following all instructions.
How to Cover Knots When Painting Wooden Furniture
Now what if you have one or two problem areas, like knot holes?
When I built mine modern single breasts, I first put the raw wood with the BIN stain blocking the primer and thought I was fine. Unfortunately, after a few months, the knots are already starting to show!
My secret weapon? Clear nail polish! 
Painting Wood Tools: Preventing Tannin Bleed-Through with Clear Nail Polish
For a piece that has only a few problem areas such as wood knots or spots that have been covered with a stain pen or wood repair marker (which I have discovered to be almost impossible to cover), the simple top coat you use for your manicure will do the trick!
Brush one or two coats of clear nail polish in areas, not necessarily covering the entire surface. Then fill in any gaps or gaps (such as around a willow tree) that are filled with wood.
On the sample board at the bottom, all dark pigment is securely sealed under nail polish and a pre -paint. The indentation from the knot can now be easily fixed with the wood filler.
The next time you apply white paint, remember to tackle the tannin blood first! A simple cover with shellac or a few spots with clear nail polish gives you a simple prevention for bleeding.
More tree tips and finishing tips and inspiration:
Please pin it for future reference!
Originally published 04.11.2018 // Updated 04.16.2021
