Painting With Very Dark Colors

shapeshifter

I have this ugly, icky, cheesy, 1980s, crummy oak bathroom vanity that I decided to paint. I chose the color called espresso or black rose [that very dark shade of brown.] The reason I chose it was so the vanity would coordinate with a purchsed wall cabinet, also in the espresso color. I cleaned it really well, sanded lightly with an electric palm sander, wiped it down really well with a pre-paint deglosser and primed it. I'm now on my 2nd coat of paint and I was wondering if it is usual for it to take several coats when going that dark? I was not able to prime with a tinted primer so I bet that's the answer to my question, isn't it?

Concordseeker

Yes. Tinted primer.

slickshift

A very dark color could easily take three coats of premium paint
A less than premium paint could easily take 5 or more to achieve the proper color

A dark tinted primer would have helped

concretemasonry

When you think you have a good coating, add one more coat and you will be surprised - The coloor will seem much richer and another foot deeper.

I hate it when I put it on, but I llike the look enough to use it more oftten than most people. Latest colors were a very dark teal in a small bathroom and black olive in a den/TV room.

shapeshifter

Thank you all for the information.

Was wondering, is there any advantage to a light sanding either with 150-180 grit or steel wool between coats? Right now there are two coats.

Also was wondering about putting a couple of coats of satin poly over the paint.

Loved your idea about the dark teal. This is also a very small bath with icy blue walls and the dark accent color. I was able to find a towel rack and TP holder that had both chrome and brushed nickle, so I am able to mix a chrome faucet that I love with brushed nickle hardware and light switch covers.

slickshift

It could smooth out any imperfections or contamination
But I'd go with 220

....I'm not sure why you would want to do that
That won't help the color
In fact, it'll yellow it a bit
And the labor/product cost is the same as painting a few more coats of paint

...so...I'm not sure what your are thinking it would do, but it's not a good idea really

shapeshifter

Just a thought to better protect the finish in the bathroom but really, it was only a thought. Thanks for the info.

slickshift

Ah, I see....no...not really

Poly over stain can protect a stained piece better than a stain alone would (interior stain colors, doesn't seal or protect very well at all)

Poly won't protect a premium quality paint any better than the paint itself (paint colors, seals, and protects)
So poly over paint really won't help

shapeshifter

Hi, all.

Took the advice offered: 4 coats of paint, light sanding with 220 grit between coats, the doors and vanity look really awesome. There is very little difference between the purchased cabinet and the newly refurbished vanity. Also, no poly either