For your desk. I recommend using a primer like Kilz, Zinsser 123, or Zinsser BIN to start. With furniture, I have found that latex paints seem to stay a little sticky so I would recommend buying an oil base for the top coat. Most states have banned oil based paints in 1 gallon or larger containers, but you should only need a quart for a desk. Rustoleum is readily available in most hardware stores. Don't be scared off because it is advertised as a metal paint. It does have rust inhibitors but is essentially the same forumla as a standard oil based house paint. Make sure you buy some mineral spirits to clean up.
for a dark red color you will need a GOOD primer coat something along the lines of a product called Kilnz wo cover the red enough THEN paint with the paint you have if not you will be back at the store buying more paint because it may take 3-5 coats to cover that red if not. the desk is another issue not knowing colors but a coat again of kilnz will cover just about anything even cigarette smoke and pet odors and it drys fast..
You might need a second coat to get the right color.
paint it white first to lighten it as much as possible, let it dry and then go grey
My room is currently a dark red. More like burgundy. I'm painting it a light grey color next. I heard it was very hard to paint over dark colors. I've already bought my paint. The can says it's Primer & Paint All-In-One. So does that mean I don't have to buy a seperate can of primer. Also, I'm painting my wood desk. I'm painting it black. How do I do that successfully? Thank you for any answers.
