painting furniture

Ep20 The Technical Side of Primer — Resins, Stain-Blocking Chemistry & What Really Creates a Durable Finish

The Technical Side of Primer Resins, Stain-Blocking Chemistry & What Really Creates a Durable Finish Welcome to the 5th and final part of the Primer Power Series. I’m glad you are here and hope you’ve benefitted from the series. If you thought primer was just “that stuff you put on before paint,” Episode 20 of Flipping Furniture for Profit is about to blow your mind — in the best way. This episode dives into the technical side of primer: resins, solvents, stain-blocking chemistry, bonding strength, and what really makes a finish durable (or not). It’s nerdy… in a fun way.It’s advanced… but still totally understandable.And yes — even seasoned flippers will learn something they’ve never heard before. You’ll finally understand why some primers cure harder, why some block stains better, why adhesion varies, and why your finish sometimes behaves like an angel… or like a toddler with glitter. Click below … Read more

Ep 19: How Primer Actually Works — Adhesion, Bonding & the Science Behind a Solid Finish

How Primer Actually Works Adhesion, Bonding & the Science Behind a Solid Finish If you’ve ever finished a furniture flip, stepped back proudly…and then watched yellow spots, pink haze, or peeling paint ruin the moment — you’re not alone. Every beginner battles bleed-through.Every flipper eventually faces bonding failure.And the good news? Both issues are completely fixable once you understand why they happen in the first place. In today’s episode of Flipping Furniture for Profit, I break down: what bleed-through actually is (in simple, non-sciencey language) the ONE type of primer that stops it why paint sometimes peels right off even when it “looks” like it stuck the real reason your finish might fail — even when your prep was good why cure time matters more than people realize how to protect your projects (and your reputation!) with a client care sheet when to brush primer, when to spray, and why … Read more

Ep17: The 5 Types of Primer Every Furniture Artist Should Know

Which Primer Will Work Best for Your Project? The 5 Types of Primer Every Furniture Artist Should Know Primer shouldn’t feel like a trip through a chemistry lab — but sometimes the names alone can twist your tongue! In Episode 17 of Flipping Furniture for Profit, I break down the five primer types every flipper runs into and explain what each one actually does in real-life projects. You’ll finally understand which primer helps with adhesion, which one stops bleed-through, which one blocks stains, and which one is your best friend when nothing else seems to work. And yes… by the end you’ll be able to say “shellac-based stain-blocking primer” with confidence (maybe even twice in a row). I created a free workbook to go with the series — because teaching is my love language. Click the link to request the workbook >>> ValFrania.com/PrimerWorkbook Click below to listen to Episode 17 … Read more

Ep16: The Beginner’s Guide to Primer — When You Need It… and When You Don’t

If you’ve ever stood over a piece of furniture wondering, “Do I really need primer… or is this just one more thing people say I should do?” — this episode is your new best friend. Episode 16 of Flipping Furniture for Profit kicks off the Primer Power Series with a clear, beginner-friendly breakdown of when primer is essential — and when you can skip it without guilt (or fear… or a paint-peeling disaster). You’ll hear real stories from my early projects, simple guidelines you can use today, and a few “learned it the hard way so you don’t have to” moments that might make you laugh… or nod a little too hard. And because I know you don’t want to listen with a pen clenched in your hand, I put together a companion workbook for the whole 5-part series. It lets you relax and enjoy the episodes — then flip … Read more

Furniture Flipping for Beginners: The Hidden Opportunity Most People Miss

What If the Next Piece You Flip Could Change Everything? There’s something about standing in front of an old, tired dresser that stirs up both excitement and doubt. You can see what it could be – even if no one else can. You imagine the color, the finish, the new hardware. But right behind that spark of creativity comes the little whisper: “Can I really do this? Will anyone even care?” That’s how my journey started — brush in hand, heart pounding, not sure if I was making a masterpiece or a mess. And if you’ve ever felt that same tug of what if, this one’s for you. The Power of Possibility Furniture flipping isn’t just about paint and sandpaper — it’s about potential. Every piece has it. And so do you. But before you can see transformation in your work, you have to see opportunity in yourself. When I … Read more

Tomorrow’s the Big Day 🎉 My Podcast Launches!

Tomorrow’s the Big Day My Podcast Launches! I’ve been hinting at it all over cyberspace… and now it’s almost here. Tomorrow, I’m officially launching the FlippingFurniture for Profit Podcast—a place where beginner flippers can get simple, step-by-step help to start their flipping journey with confidence. To kick things off, I’m releasing not just one… but three episodes right out of the gate: Episode 1: We All Start at the BeginningI share how and why I got started flipping, what I’ve learned along the way, and why I’m so passionate about helping you build your own flipping journey. Episode 2: 3 Easy Flips You Can Do This WeekendYou don’t need a workshop full of tools or tons of experience to start. These simple flips will give you a quick win (and maybe even some quick profit!). Episode 3: Top 5 Mistakes New Flippers Make (and How to Avoid Them)Learn the pitfalls … Read more

A New Podcast for Beginner Furniture Flippers

A New Podcast Just for Beginner Furniture Flippers If you’ve ever wanted to start flipping furniture but felt overwhelmed by where to begin… you’re not alone. I hear from so many women who dream of turning outdated, forgotten pieces into something beautiful (and profitable!), but instead they get stuck: Not knowing where to start Unsure where to sell their finished pieces Afraid of wasting money on products that don’t work Not knowing what tools they really need I get it—I’ve been there. That’s why I’ve been working behind the scenes on something special just for beginner flippers. Next week, I’m launching a brand new podcast designed to take away the overwhelm and give you a clear, step-by-step path forward—so you can stop second-guessing and start flipping with confidence. I can’t wait to share the first episodes with you! Until then, keep an eye on your inbox (have you subscribed yet?) and … Read more

Furniture Flipping Bad Advice Alert #3: Repaint!

Don’t be a Confidence Killer Recently I came across a post by a flipper asking advice about her finished project. Jade wasn’t sure about her design. We often go through that, second guessing ourselves. It’s a real thing, but usually unfounded. We want to turn out a beautiful piece and sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. If we look at it through the eyes of our customers, we would see it differently. Let’s talk about Jade’s post on FB. This is Jade >>> This piece is an example of a very fine redesign that needed NOTHING else to make it desirable to a future client. Yet, comentors jumped on it and recommended some very bad advice… I say, be careful who you listen to. Here is the original listing. I tried to comment, but once again, the comments were turned off. URGH! I ended up messaging Jade to let … Read more

Stop Watching, Start Flipping: Why the Best Way to Learn Is by Doing

We’ve all done it… Hours (okay, weeks) of watching YouTube videos, scrolling Pinterest boards, and bingeing makeover reels on Instagram. It’s exciting. It’s inspiring. And it feels like progress. But let me ask you something honestly: How many pieces have you actually flipped? And how much closer are you to making money from your skills? If the answer is “none yet” or “not really sure,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. Most new flippers fall into what I call “learning limbo.” Learning Limbo: When Research Turns into Procrastination Watching tutorials is great. In fact, I teach and share them myself. But there comes a point where watching becomes a way to avoid the doing. You start believing: “I’m not ready yet.” “I need to learn just one more thing first.” “What if I mess it up?” Here’s the truth no one talks about: You’ll never feel 100% ready. You will mess up. … Read more

Bad Advice Alert #2: The Oil-based Over Water-based Debate

The Oil Over Water Debate AND…once again I came across some BAD advice given to a new flipper on FB that could derail her – all because the commenter couldn’t admit she needed to reconsider her facts. (I grayed out the names of those speaking or who was being tagged other than my own comment) Honestly, it’s not that hard. Just say, “Oh, OK, that’s news to me. Thanks.”  But no, that’s not possible, ESPECIALLY when the admin closes out comments before I could “bring the receipts.” That’s just a nice way of saying I couldn’t tell her she was wrong. So, here’s a break down about it all – oil-based over water-based products and water-based over oil-based products, focusing on primer. Enjoy. And btw, “I’m a furniture artist” doesn’t cut it. We all need to keep learning and can NEVER say we’ve arrived. We’re just regular people trying to … Read more

Love My DIY Home