You do not have to remove the hinges and clasp from the box if you want to paint them the same color as the wood. If your box doesn’t have any hinges or clasps, you may skip this step.
Be careful as you work around the corners or edges since you could make them rounded and affect how well the box closes. Avoid using lower grit sandpaper since you could leave scratches or marks on the surface that become more noticeable after you paint the box.
You can buy farmhouse or acrylic paints from your local craft store. Avoid using oil paints since they take a long time to dry.
You do not have to use a primer on the box before you start painting it.
For example, if you painted horizontally across the box for the first coat, then paint them vertically on the second coat. Additional layers of paint will make the color stand out more and ensure the wood grain doesn’t show through to the final piece.
You do not need to paint the inside of the box if you don’t want to. Try using a different color of paint if you want the inside of the box to add an accent. For example, you may paint the outside of the box white and the interior a metallic gold color.
You can buy paint markers from your local craft store. Experiment using the paint markers on a scrap piece of wood or paper before using them on your box to ensure they’re the color you want.
You do not have to distress the wood if you want your painted box to have a clean, finished look.
If there are bumps or uneven surfaces, lightly sand the varnish smooth with 220-grit sandpaper. You can choose glossy or matte varnish depending on how much you want the box to shine. Varnish can create harmful fumes, so be sure to work in a well-ventilated area to avoid any irritation.
You can choose to leave the box unpainted if you want. You do not need to prime the box before you paint it. Avoid applying thick layers of paint since they will dry unevenly and may affect the color of the box.
Avoid using sandpaper with a lower grit since it will leave scratches in the paint that could affect how the decoupage adheres to the surface. If you don’t blow the sawdust off the surface, it’ll get stuck in your glue and create a textured surface—you don’t want that.
If you don’t have access to a printer, try going to a library or local print shop to print the image for you.
You can buy decoupage glue from your local craft store or online. Decoupage glue will start to dry within an hour, so work quickly when you start applying it.
Make sure the image you’re using doesn’t have any wrinkles or creases, or else it may not lie properly on the wood.
Decoupage glue dries clear so you’ll still be able to see the image when you’re finished. Carefully wipe off any excess decoupage glue with a paper towel if there are still large drops left on the box. Always apply the glue in thin layers rather than applying it thickly. Thick layers of glue won’t dry well or will take a super long time to dry. Don’t overbrush the glue! Those extra brush strokes will get dried into the surface.
You can also try using 220-grit sandpaper, but you may also scratch off some of the paint from the box.
Work in a well-ventilated area while working with varnish since it may create harmful fumes that cause irritation. Make sure that the glue is completely dry before you add any varnish.
You may also draw your design by hand if you don’t want to print one out. If you don’t have access to a printer, check for local print shops or libraries to see if you can print your design there.
Carbon paper has a dark layer of carbon on one side, so when you write or draw something on the light side, the image will transfer onto the surface underneath it. You can buy carbon paper from your local hardware store or online.
You may also use a pen or any other sharp writing instrument. Be careful not to rip through the paper since you could damage the wood.
Dremel rotary tools have small spinning heads that make them easy to work with for carving designs into wood. You can buy them from your local hardware store. You may also hold the tool sideways so the wider end presses against the wood if you want to make larger recessed areas in the wood. You can carve into the wood as deep as you want, but be careful not to punch through to the inside of the box. Never touch the rotating head while the Dremel tool is on since you could seriously injure yourself.
If there are still rough edges, try using 220-grit sandpaper to smooth it out more.
The stain will usually look darker in engraved areas, which will help your design look more prominent.
You can apply a second layer of wood finish if you want additional protection. Wood finish creates harmful fumes, so work in a well-ventilated area while using it.
