How to Paint a Church Pew

Clean the surface of the pews with a simple solution of soap and warm water--dish soap and water works well for this. Use a soft cloth like an old washcloth or t-shirt to clean with. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth that will not leave lint behind.

Remove pealing paint with a paint scraper. Run the scraper gently over the surface initially--you don't want to nick the wood surface.

Sand the surface with 150-grit sand paper. Apply steady pressure to the areas you're sanding. Run your hands along the surface of the sanded area--you should feel smooth wood beneath your hands.

Wash the surface again to eliminate any saw dust from the sanding. Dry the surface thoroughly. Run your hand over the length of the pew, or area you're working on. Repeat the sanding and washing steps if there are remaining rough areas or if you feel splinters.

Locate any gashes in the wood that need to be filled. Squeeze a small amount of wood filler onto a putty knife and smooth the filler into the hole in the wood. Scrape away any filler that rises above the surface of the pew to create a bump. Allow the filler to dry completely. Sand the areas that have been filled.

Apply a primer coat to the entire surface of the pew with a soft-bristle paint brush. Move the brush in the direction of the grain. Allow the primer to dry completely.

Apply the finish coast thickly to the pew. Brush the paint on in long strokes with the grain of the wood. Brush out any air bubbles with the brush by pushing the brush in one continuous stroke from one end to the other if possible. Allow the paint to dry completely before using the pews.