Painting wood veneered furniture?

[Paddingtonthebear]

We have a tv unit that is part solid wood and part oak veneer. It is too modern for our home and we are thinking of painting it. Have been reading about chalk paint and think this is the way to go. Is this a mistake? Does anyone have any advice? TIA

I've used chalk paint before and it will work but it's not my favourite way to do it. If you wanted to use eggshell paint, you just need to prime it first and there's a way that doesn't even involve any sanding to get a key. I'm doing it on my kitchen cupboards at the moment and have painted various pieces of furniture in the house over the years (wardrobes, chests of drawers, computer cupboards....)

Step 1
Prime with Zinsser Bullseye 123 Primer (1 or 2 coats)

Step 2
Paint with your topcoat (I love Farrow and Ball eggshell colours)

Step 3
Stand back and admire your handywork

Oh ok great, thank you. I didn't know if normal paint would work on a veneered surface. This is the unit, need to decide what colour!

You'll be amazed at how it will transform it!

The only time I use chalk paint now is if I'm painting waxed pine furniture. Not sure if the Zinsser will stick to that as you usually have to strip wax first which is a pain to do.

I realised chalk paint can go straight on top of waxed furniture, so I used this as a "pre-primer", and the Zinsser primer can then be painted on top of that, followed by the Farrow and Ball eggshell paint.

So you think the Zinsser and then any normal paint will work on our unit?

We have another piece of furniture that has been redone (by someone else) in a laura ashley paint, so I may look there for a colour to compliment it

I also heard of chalk paint but never tried it. I used a primer and Farrow&Ball eggshell on dining room display cabinet and the finish is perfect even after 2 years. I also put a top coat on it to protect the surface which I think helped too.

Yep, I reckon Zinsser and your paint of choice will work a treat. That particular formation of Zinsser (there are another two) is very good at sticking to smooth surfaces (it can even stick to glass according to the side of the tin). Just give it a really good stir before you start applying it. It just looks like white paint. Two top coats of your chosen colour, and voila, bobs your uncle