Furniture & Cabinet Painting FAQs
Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint is an all-in-one furniture and cabinet paint designed for easy prep and durable finishes. Below are answers to the most common questions we hear at Revive It Decor.
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What can I paint with Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint?
You can use Rethunk Junk Resin Paint on furniture, cabinets, doors, home decor, crafts & more! It sticks to wood, laminate, metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, brick, stone, pottery & more!
How much paint should I order?
The average dresser can be painted with just one 16oz Pint of Rethunk Junk by Laura paint. One pint will generally cover any ONE of the following: a dresser, a set of nightstands, 2-3 chairs, a coffee table, two end tables, a small console cabinet, a small bathroom vanity, etc.
One 32oz Quart will cover 2 dressers OR a dining table plus 4 chairs.
For kitchen cabinets, an average project will require one quart per 10 feet of cabinetry (measure upper and lower separately). For instance, 10 feet of cabinetry - both upper & lower - is 20 total feet and would require 2 quarts of paint.
Is Rethunk Junk Resin Paint a chalk paint?
No, Rethunk Junk by Laura's Resin Paint is not a chalk paint. It's a resin-infused acrylic paint and it has no chalk or mineral (powder) additives.
How is Rethunk Junk by Laura different than chalk paint?
Rethunk Junk Resin Paint is so much better than chalk & mineral paints! It's self-leveling and self-sealing - drying to a smooth buttery finish. No wax required and you'll LOVE the durable but classy finish! Oh, and did we mention - no sanding required? It's awesome! Learn more...
Can I really skip the sanding?
YES! With Rethunk Junk by Laura's PREP Cleaner you can really skip the sanding and still have a durable, lasting finish on your project!
Just spray it on, let it sit for a minute or two, and wipe it off. The Prep Cleaner not only gets your piece clean, but it prepares the surface for amazing adhesion to the paint! You're going to LOVE how simple it is to use!
Is Rethunk Junk low VOC?
Yes, all Rethunk Junk by Laura products are low VOC and safe to use indoors.
Is Rethunk Junk's Resin Paint an all-in-one paint?
Yes, it is an all-in-one paint and does not require a sealer. However, we do recommend using Tuff Top Protectant on high-traffic surfaces like kitchen cabinets & tables.
Do I need to seal my project?
Rethunk Junk by Laura is an all-in-one paint and doesn't really need to be sealed. However, Rethunk Junk by Laura makes a protectant called Tuff Top and it's recommended on high-traffic surfaces. Apply Tuff Top on kitchen cabinets, table tops, and kids' furniture - or anywhere you want extra protection on your finish.
Tuff Top is available in 4 sheens: Semigloss, Satin, Low Lustre & Matte.
For best results, we like to apply it with a Miracle Sponge Applicator.
Can I use Rethunk Junk paint outside?
Yes! Rethunk Junk products are UV-fade-resistant and are great for outdoor projects.
How cold is too cold for painting?
For optimal results, we recommend applying the paint in temperatures above 55 degrees and under 80 degrees. You can use the paint in lower temps - above freezing - but dry time will be much longer and self-leveling may be impacted. Similarly, high temperatures will result in faster drying and may interrupt the self-leveling process.
Always store the paint at temperature above freezing.
Do you have more tutorials I can watch?
Yes! Follow Sarah on YouTube and follow the Revive It on Facebook for more live tutorials & painting tips!
Cabinet Painting FAQs
Is this paint strong enough for kitchen cabinets?
Yes! Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint is specifically designed for furniture and cabinets. It forms a hard, washable finish that holds up to everyday use.
Can I paint my cabinets without removing the doors?
Yes! You can definitely paint them with the doors in place. If that's best option for your space & project, be sure to grab a Miracle Tapered Trim Brush for the easiest trimming around hinges, in corners, and in tight spaces.
How long will it take me to paint my cabinets?
Every kitchen is different, but generally we'd say to allow one full weekend to complete this project. On day one, fully clean your kitchen cabinets and apply the first coat of paint. Don't shortcut the Prep step! Remove the hardware (if needed) and really scrub those cabinets clean. Then apply that first coat of paint.
You can generally apply the second coat and touchups plus Tuff Top on the 2nd day. If you have the time, apply the Tuff Top on the third day (or the next weekend) just to allow the paint plenty of time to dry thoroughly.
Gently replace your hardware and clean up.
Do I need to sand my cabinets?
No. In most cases, sanding is NOT required when using Rethunk Junk Prep Cleaner & Resin Paint. The Prep is an excellent cleaner & deglosser that prepares the surface for excellent adhesion to the resin paint. There are, of course, certain situations where a light scuff sand can help. For instance, if your cabinets have an old peeling finish or chips in a previous paint finish, sanding is recommended to smooth the finish. New coats of paint cannot hide texture issues so if there is chipping or peeling, here's how to prepare the surface:
Use a small piece of medium to high grit sandpaper to focus on the problem areas. Sand until edges of chips or peels are completely smooth to the touch. If you can still feel the edge, you will see that ridge in the new paint finish. Once you have smoothed the edges of the chip, use a high grit sanding block to just lightly scuff sand the entire surface (i.e. drawer front or door front). This will help smooth out the full surface so your paint is smooth. Remove dust. Lightly spritz with The Prep Cleaner and wipe immediately with a paper towel.
My cabinets are already painted and have chips. Can I repaint them?
Yes, you can repaint them, but new coats of paint cannot hide texture issues or chipping on previous finishes. You can take a few steps to prepare that surface for a fresh, smooth refinish with Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint. Here's what you'll want to do...
Use a small piece of medium to high grit sandpaper to focus on the problem areas. Sand until edges of chips or peels are completely smooth to the touch. If you can still feel the edge, you will see that ridge in the new paint finish. Once you have smoothed the edges of the chip, use a high grit sanding block to just lightly scuff sand the entire surface (i.e. drawer front or door front). This will help smooth out the full surface so your paint is smooth. Remove dust. Lightly spritz with The Prep Cleaner and wipe immediately with a paper towel.
Should I clean with TSP before The Prep?
TSP is not really needed in most cases. However, if the kitchen you're painting has a lot of grease build-up, it may not be a bad idea. Another option is to use Dawn Dish Soap & a scrubby on greasy surfaces to cut through that grease. Once grease has been removed, go ahead and clean thoroughly with the Prep Cleaner & a scrubby pad to prepare the surface for proper, durable adhesion.
Should I prime my cabinets before I paint?
Usually, primer is NOT required. Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint is designed to bond to most cabinet surfaces including:
Finished wood
Painted cabinets
Laminate
Veneer
However, Rethunk Junk's Power Primer may be helpful if:
Cabinets are dark and you're painting a very light shade of white - like Cloud.
You're painting older stained cabinets that may have begun to lose their finish coating. In this case, stains or tannins may bleed through the paint so starting with the Power Primer can help seal them back up.
How many coats of paint will my cabinets need?
Most Rethunk Junk by Laura Resin Paint colors will provide full coverage with two coats plus touch ups. Lighter shades may require a third coat.
The most difficult color for full coverage is Cloud - because it is a pure white with no undertones whatsoever. Cloud typically requires 3 coats plus touch-ups - but it's completely worth it if you love a bright, fresh white!
How long will my painted cabinets need to dry?
Dry to touch: 1-2 hours
Light use: 24-36 hours
Full cure: 3-4 weeks
"Can I use them before they're fully cured?" Yes, of course! Just use them gently, avoid heavy cleaners, and don't scrub them. The paint is very durable once fully dry, but it will continue to harden throughout the curing process.
Can I do anything to speed up the curing process?
Cure time is more of a chemical process for all paints, but you can encourage that process along by keeping humidity low and avoiding temperature extremes.
Do you have any video tutorials for kitchens?
Yes! Sarah frequently does live tutorials on the Revive It Decor Facebook Page. Check out one of them on YouTube here - https://youtube.com/shorts/uJTIZwI15KY?si=_0iMEbXG_lmTbGVD