HOW TO PERFORM A SCRATCH TEST ON YOUR PAINTED FURNITURE TO TEST ADHESION | QUICK TIP TUESDAY + VIDEO TUTORIAL
Hi, sweet #sifamily! I hope you are well and enjoying this summer weather. I had to take a trip to ER over the weekend for kidney stones…ugggh. It’s been painful so I didn’t get a chance to finish the dresser I was working on. But I didn’t want to leave you empty-handed so I’m throwing it back to our Quick Tip Tuesday (QTT) format and sharing How To Check Paint Adhesion using this simple scratch test. If you’re unfamiliar with the scratch test, this is the BEST way to confirm your freshly painted furniture will not scratch, chip or peel. Because let’s face it, after putting in ALL that work, we want to be confident our gorgeous finish will stay put when using or selling it! 🙂
So here’s what I’m working with. It’s a SUPER boxy and glossy dresser I picked up for $30.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
Glossy Dresser – SALVAGED
Paint Roller
Shop Towel
White Lightning (Cleaner)
Dewalt Orbital Sander
Sandpaper | Tack Cloth
B-I-N Shellac Base Primer
HOW TO PERFORM A SCRATCH TEST
A scratch test is a simple way to ensure your primer or paint has adhered 100%. Once you’re confident your base primer (or paint) has adhered to the furniture, you don’t have to worry about chipping, peeling, or scratching once it has cured and you start using the piece.
I ALWAYS do a scratch test when painting glossy pieces! When I first started painting furniture, I made my fair share of mistakes including skipping this step only to be utterly disappointed when my freshly painted finish started peeling off. All my hard work for not because of course, I wasn’t going to sell a piece like that!
All this is easily avoided by following these steps.
• Clean your piece of grease, grime, and dirt for the best adhesion. I like this cleaner or TSP.
• Scuff sand your surface. For this piece, I used my Dewalt and 80 grit sandpaper.
• Prime a glossy finish with a BONDING PRIMER! I used this primer here but here is a great water-based alternative.
• Once the primer has dried (according to the instructions) perform an adherence scratch test.
Take your nail and scratch the surface with some force. The primer or paint should stay put and NOT come off.
I’ve also used a nail, screw, paint can opener, etc to perform a scratch test. But just a heads up, if you’re using anything made of metal, the metal will leave marks (they look like pencil marks) that you will have to wipe off before painting.
Another good alternate tool is a wood craft stick which doesn’t leave any marks. But I find my fingernail works the best and I always have it handy. 😉
This scratch test works on primer OR paint. For instance, if you’re painting with chalk or chalk mineral paint that suggests NO primer, yet you’re unsure whether the paint will stick to your project, I suggest painting a small inconspicuous area and come back in 24 hours to perform the scratch test. If all is good — paint away! If it scratches off like in the image below, the prep work I listed above is required.
I really hope this is helpful especially if you’re just starting out. If I can save one person from all their hard work from peeling off…this post is well worth it!
I hope you join me this Thursday when I’ll be back with my Furniture Fixer Upper Crew sharing how this dresser all comes together. I still don’t know what I’m going to do with her yet but hopefully, some inspiration will strike soon. 🙂
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the step-by-step on Youtube. If you have any problems viewing below, feel free to watch it on my Youtube Channel here… and don’t forget to subscribe! 🙂
LET ME KNOW IF YOU’VE FOUND THIS HELPFUL OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy furniture painting friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
PAINTING OVER LAMINATE
HOW TO PAINT LAMINATE W/O SANDING
HOW TO USE B-I-N BONDING PRIMER
SLICK STICK BONDING PRIMER
HOW TO DO A SCRATCH TEST – YOUTUBE VIDEO
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I found your video super helpful, thank you! I know this is an old post but I had a question. My piece isn’t glossy and I used BIN 123. It passed the scratch test in all areas. I then sanded with a fine grit, vacuumed and dry wiped clean. I painted 1 coat of melange one. All areas on my drawers passed the scratch test. The top and sides and most everywhere did as well except for the edges of my nightstands. The paint scratched off. I sprayed the primer but brush painted the paint. I’m assuming the scratch test should be done in all areas including edges. I waited 2 days after painting to scratch test. Any advice?
Denise, hi!
I know this post is older, but im hoping you can help me! I used BIN primer on a laminate table. I lightly sanded, washed, dried, and allowed time to cure for each coat. Then I painted atop the primer with a regular latex house paint. After over a week of curing, when I scratch test, the primer is locked in and rock hard (woohoo!) but the colored paint immediately scratches, separating from the primer! As I mentioned, I followed all steps to prep each coat of primer before painting.
I was planning on finishing with some sort of clear poly, but I don’t want to continue if I’ve made a mistake with the paint. I don’t know if the poly sticks to the paint, but the paint doesn’t stick to the primer, if I’d still have peeling.
I cannot for the life of my find anywhere on the internet where this has happened! I did use a sample size paint, so my only guess is perhaps something about that formula is different from if it were mixed as a bigger gallon size.
Any suggestions?? Thanks so much in advance!
Hi Annie! So sorry to hear this. Been there and it’s not a good feeling after putting in all the work. That said, this is NOT your fault. You are absolutely correct – sample paint usually does not contain the performance-enhancing components found in regular paints. They match the pigment perfect, but not the actual formula and I’m guessing this is to cut down on cost. If it were my project, I’d sand the paint off, give it another coat of BIN Shellac Primer and switch up the paint youre using. I hope this helps.
Hi Denise! I had the same exact problem on my end tables as this lady Annie. I did ask the prep steps. My bin shellac passed the scratch test. Then I asked my Benjamin Moore advanced paint. I let it dry for a few days as I wasnt able to get back to it until then. The paint is Scratching off most areas I did a scratch test on. I’m not sure why this is happening. I’m wondering if I sanded the primer too smooth ? Do you think it could be my paint? I went with this one because I heard great things about it.
Thank you so much for your videos! They are sooo helpful.
Hi Tara! So sorry to hear this. I did a little research and found this forum/article for you. It’s weird. Some ppl are having issues and some are not???
Hi Denise! I messed up and used Zinnser Bullseye 123 primer on varnished wood :(( Do I need to strip everything? Can I do anything to recover my work? Thank you!!
Hi Karen! Is it sticking? If so, go ahead and paint. 🙂 Nothing messed up as some ppl do use it over varnished wood as seen here. If it’s not passing the scratch test, then I would go ahead and sand it off and try another primer such as BIN Shellac Based Primer. I hope this helps and good luck! 🙂
I’ve just found your blog AFTER painting some glossy furniture. My guess (even though it’s not fully dry yet) is that it will scratch. I’m happy to go back and use the primer but do you reckon I can put the primer on the paint I’ve just used? I’d like to avoid having to sand it down…
Thanks!
If its a BONDING primer like BIN Shellac Based Primer or Slick Stick or something with bonding qualities, you should be able to just prime. That said, I always give my pieces a light sanding prior to priming. It takes 5 minutes tops (I run a 120-180 sanding pad over the finish as though I’m wiping down my kitchen counter) and then I know 100% everything will adhere because it has some tooth to stick to. Hope this helps.
Hi thanks for the tip! I just have one question: if painting with just chalk or mineral type paint (no primer) is 24 for hours enough time? What about sealer protection? Or cure time? Doesn’t paint (and primer) cure over more time? And then won’t scratch off? Not in every case I’m sure, but in some? Thanks!
Ok. Bought the cleaner. You are emboldening me lol. I have a piece I have been wanting to do forever but terrified of messing it up. I bought it years ago. It was very expensive. I still love it but it needs redone.. now I just need to decide on a color. Thank you for all the vids
Be BOLD Tracy!!!!… I’m so glad you’re giving the piece a go!!! I’m cheering you on from this end!🤗
Sorry to hear about your painful kidney stones, I hope you are doing much better my friend. Sending hugs from out west. xo
I’ll take that hug… I need one!🤗
Hi Denise. Thanks for the great tip. I wish I had known this a few years ago before I painted my staircase railing. I’m forever having to touch up scratches. Hope you are feeling much better and I can’t wait to see what you do with the boxy dresser.
Sorry to hear that. 🙁 And thanks. The dresser is still in the works but she’s looking good.
I have learned so many helpful tips from you. Hope you’re feeling better soon. I know you must be miserable 😩.
Aw, thanks my friend! I’m plugg’n away doing what I can…lol. XOXO
Hope you don’t have to experience that kind of pain again and the medical team come up with a quick solution. I always look forward to your posts. They are so inspiring.
Thanks so much, Char…and I hope so too! x
Great tip! I hope you pass your stones quickly and without pain.
Thank you, Lizzy!!! XOXO
Hola Denise, te sigo desde España, me encanta tu blog. El consejo de hoy es muy útil. Muchas gracias.
¡Hola Mercedes! Gracias por seguirme y estoy muy feliz de que le haya resultado útil. Me ENCANTARÍA visitar su hermoso país algún día … está en mi lista de deseos. 🙂
I hope they crushed your kidney stones and you are feeling better !!
I love all you do and paint . You are gifted. for sure.
Cheers
Barbara
Thanks Barbara! 🙂 And as for the stones I have an upcoming specialist appointment so I’m hoping he suggests some options. xo
Hi Denise,
I hope you feel better soon.
Kathleen
Thanks so much, Kathleen. I hope this passes (literally…lol) soon as well.💕
Thanks, I do find this tip informative and helpful. Yes, please do more!
I’m so glad!… thanks for the feedback. 🙂
Super great information! Thanks for sharing! Hope you are feeling better. Ouch!
Hi Linda! Thanks so much. 🙂
I learned another technique years ago for testing adhesion. This we used in a factory setting and it is easy.
Take a piece of 3/4″ masking tape and apply it to your test surface, leaving one end loose (long enough to grasp) . You need at least an inch adhering to your surface. burnish the tape with your finger or a flat tool to get best adhesion. Grasp the end of the tape and yank it up rapidly. If your coating comes up on the tape you need better surface prep.. Simple.
I enjoy your blog and have been learning from it. Thank you
Michael Christie
Hi Michael! Yes, thanks for this! I’ve seen your technique testing automotive paint as well… except they had a metal tool with some teeth. They actually scratched the paint to the metal surface and THEN did exactly what you just described! I was just thinking if you were to use duct tape and it doesn’t budge, it’s above and beyond adhered…lol. 😉