Spray Paint Your Shelf For A Fast And Fabulous Makeover With No Sanding Required

Unsure what to do with an old shelf? Don't toss it out just yet. Taking advantage of the extra storage, that old shelf can be the perfect addition to your home office decor. Sometimes, all an older piece of furniture needs is a good cleaning and a pop of color. However, considering the prep work, not to mention buying brushes and paint cans, the project may already sound too messy and time-consuming. Fortunately, spray painting cuts down on the time (and mess). It helps you achieve even coverage without the stroke of a paintbrush and has a much faster drying time. Not only that, but with a good primer, you may not even have to sand down your shelf before spray painting it.

In a YouTube video, user @ColtonCrumpDIY demonstrates how the right primer and spray paint combo helped revitalize the look of a wooden shelf without needing to sand it down. For the demonstration, the DIY-er used the Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Primer followed by the Rust-Oleum American Accents 2X Spray Paint for a stronger bond and glossy finish. This brand of spray is designed for wood — which is key to achieving a perfect finish — as well as metal and other materials. So, if you're ready to bring your shelf back to life, here's how to do it.

To start, you want to choose a spacious, well-ventilated area of the home, such as your garage (with the garage door open). To protect the floor, you can lay down a tarp, old newspapers, or old sheets you don't use. Before applying the primer, you'll want to prep the shelf's surface. Even though you're skipping the sanding step, a good cleaning or wipe down will help remove dust, dirt, and other debris that can prevent the paint from sticking and drying smoothly. Once your shelf is clean and dry, it's ready for primer.

When applying the primer, @ColtonCrumpDIY recommends doing so in a brushing motion to prevent finger fatigue and keep from overspraying. The YouTuber also used paint stands, which can come in handy if you'll be covering the bottom side of your shelf too. Coverage is another top advantage spray paint has over regular paint, as you can spray in and between every nook and cranny of a furniture piece. (No spotty cracks or corners over here!)

After about half an hour of drying, spray paint your color of choice. To ensure a smooth, even color and coverage, spray in a sweeping motion, overlapping about ⅓ of your spray pattern after each pass. Wait about an hour for the initial coat to dry before applying your second coat. Follow it up with a protective sealant — an often forgotten, yet essential step when painting furniture — to shield your shelf from moisture, scratches, and wears and tears.