This post is sponsored by Modern Masters. However, all opinions are 100% my own.
As promised, I’m revealing a fabulous metallic furniture makeover with you today. This is a faux-wood laminate 80’s-type French Provincial set that was begging for a glam makeover. I’ll show you exactly how to paint furniture silver the right way.
I got this set for a great deal, but they were not in the best shape. Years of wear and tear on laminate furniture isn’t usually pretty. See the faux wood grain below?
Silver painted furniture is so chic, but you need to make sure you prep correctly first. Grab my free printable guide here for how to properly prep furniture. I applied two coats of Zinsser Primer as recommended. (The handles – except for the small round ones – were not removable, so I had to paint right over them.)
I ordered Modern Masters Metallic Paint in Platinum, Silver, and Oyster, and MasterClear Topcoat (which is specially formulated to protect the surface while keeping the metallic shimmer). They are low VOC which I love! (No stinkiness) And even though I’m painting laminate furniture today, I do believe this is the best silver paint for wood too.
I painted the pieces in Platinum because I thought it was more of a light silver like a mirror, but after two coats you could still see through to the primer beneath it. I think the laminate faux wood was not a friend to my semi-opaque color choice.
I decided to switch to Silver (opaque) and you can tell below that even one coat made a big difference. (I did paint two coats of Silver just for uniformity.)
The hardware also got two coats of Oyster (on top of the Silver) – which is also semi-opaque, so it’s not an obvious difference but you can definitely tell there’s a bit of brighter shimmer there. When you’re choosing a metallic color for your project, be sure to choose the correct coverage/hide: opaque, semi-opaque, or sheer. Then it was all sealed with the MasterClear Topcoat for protection.
Just look at that gorgeous shine!
What a huge difference, right? Who would guess how shabby this set looked before! I love the look of silver painted furniture.
You can see all of the available metallic paint colors and other products that Modern Masters has to offer HERE.
Now the BIG QUESTION – Will I use it again? I’ve already ordered another color and I can’t wait to use it! 😉
What do you think of silver painted furniture? Will you try this silver paint for wood furniture?
– Jen, Girl in the Garage
Carole H says
So much better…They look fabulous!! I love metallic paint and you did a super job!
Leanne says
I love metallic paint! They turned out beautiful!
Susan Ballard says
As an Interior designer I have known about and used Modern Masters Metallic paints for 15 years. Love them! I just did two round end tables which were walnut formica using antique bronze on the top, then chalk paint on the second shelf. The tables have 3 colors now instead of one! I’ll post them on my Facebook page so that you can see them.
Facebook/SecondHandRose-deleon
Try using the antique bronze, antique copper, and antique brass too on some of your furniture pieces. I usually accent a section of the furniture with the MM paints and use regular or chalk paint with it.
Happy painting!!
Dawn says
Gorgeous Jen! I love the metallic color!
Jen says
Thanks so much Dawn! 🙂
Sherry Fram says
Wow the transformation is awesome!! Love the metallic paint!!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Wow! What a transformation! I love the color too.
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms says
Love the color, Jen! Looks great!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
Awesome! Happy blogiversary! And I love me some Modern Masters Metallics.
Big Fan; it goes on like Butah, butter 😉
Jen says
Thank you so much Therese! I love it too… I can’t wait to try it in gold!
Christie says
I really do love this transformation! I have a piece of furniture I’ve been thinking about painting, so I will have to check out this paint. Awesome job!
Susan says
It will add class to any room!
Karen Wheeler says
I love the finish. Gave me ideas! GREAT! BEAUTIFUL JOB & THANK YOU!!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Beautiful makeovers, Jen!
JaneEllen says
Love look of that furniture, so pretty to have in a room, any room. Sounds like it was lots of work to get right but worth the efforts. Now I’ll be looking at furniture in different way, see if I can find a piece I’d like to use metallic on. Great post and project, love your blog. Happy weekend
cassandra says
Did you sand the furniture before you primed it?
Jen says
Cassandra, I did not sand this set since it was not real wood and would’ve just flaked off. Normally I would sand before priming.
Jackie says
Just bought metallic paint for a night table. How did you apply it? I want to get it right 1st time. This has been a horrible DYI experience for me
Jen says
Hi Jackie, with metallic paint you definitely want to make sure your table is smooth (sanded if necessary) and then primed well. Otherwise any little imperfections or bleeding will make it difficult to get the nice metallic shine you’re trying for. It will probably need 2-3 coats of paint and then a good topcoat for protection. I don’t know which products you’re using but I’ve been quite happy with Modern Masters when I’ve used them on my projects. Good luck with your table – I hope it turns out like you want it to!
Jackie says
Bought Modern Masters. Thanks for you help!
Jen says
You’re so welcome! Good luck! 🙂
Romona says
I repainted some lamps with this metallic….refreshed my living room more than I can imagine…so beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration
Freida pantos says
Love the effect….I did something very similar, accidentally I might add…..I used Annie Sloan’s chalk paint in a gray hue and then topcoated it with a mix of pearl modern masters metallic paint watered down a bit…I used a spong brush to easily apply the topcoat….then I used a waxed finish and buffed it ..your pieces are more “metallic” looking…if interested I’ll send you pictures. The chalk paint eliminates the priming….it will need 2 coats…once you start using it, you morph into whatever works for you…..I do love the look….
Jen says
Oh that sounds cool! Sure you can send me photos to [email protected] 🙂 Thanks Freida!
Jody says
After using primer can I just go right to the silver metallic then seal it? Or do I have to use opaque and oyster too?
Thank you!
Jen says
Yes you can prime, then apply silver metallic, then seal. Just make sure your primer has a nice, smooth finish before applying the metallic paint or you may see little imperfections underneath. Hope that helps- good luck!
Kate says
I just painted my first piece with metallic paint and had a hard time getting even coverage . Any advice?
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Kate,
Metallic paint can be pretty tricky. First, make sure your surface is very smooth. Then prime it enough so that there’s even coverage (maybe a couple coats). My favorite is Zinsser BIN shellac primer (it has a red label). Finally, you may need to apply many coats of metallic paint based on how opaque the color is – usually the more coats you paint, the better it looks. Also the brand of paint can make a big difference. I personally like Modern Masters, but I think Fusion Mineral Paint offers metallics now too. Hope that helps!
Leah Warney says
Do you recommend any specific brushes? Also do you recommend sanding the table before primer?
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Leah, my favorite brushes for painting furniture are Purdy. They’re available at pretty much any home improvement store. I like the 3-pack that comes with a few different sizes. Generally yes, it’s a good idea to sand before priming. With this particular makeover and the fact that it was cheap laminate and not wood, sanding wouldn’t really have been possible. Hope that helps!
Renee says
Who was the manufacturer of this style furniture? I have a dresser exactly like it with no name printed on it.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
I’m sorry Renee, I have no idea!
Barb says
I’m looking at different ideas before I paint the furniture in my bedroom which is 40 year old Drexel French provincial so it’s a nice piece of furniture but just a little too dated. Anyway you mentioned that you did it first with the opaque and it wasn’t covering very well so I would prefer not doing that step. Do you think it really helps you at all to have done that or can I just buy one type of paint and do three coats?
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Barb, no you don’t have to do it exactly the way I did. You do need to prime it really well first though with several even coats before using a metallic paint though. And then do several coats of the metallic. Hope that helps – good luck! French Provincial furniture looks so pretty glammed up. 🙂