11 Must-Have Furniture Flipping Supplies

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Close up of the corner of a beige dresser drawer with Hepplewhite style hardware.
A close up of a desk and chair painted in navy with gold hardware.

Let’s get beyond the paint! Furniture flipping is more than just slapping on some paint and calling it a day. There is so much work that goes into it, and of course, with that work, there are supplies. Over the years I’ve tried a lot of different products and supplies and I wanted to share what I think is most important to have on hand. Whether you’re flipping for profit, or just as a hobby, this list of must-have furniture flipping supplies helps get you to the finish line of your project.

When preparing to start a new furniture project, it’s a great idea to ensure you have everything you need to complete the project well! There is nothing worse than having to stop in the middle and make a run to the hardware store or order something online. Having these supplies on hand will help you get to the finish line faster.

11 Furniture flipping supplies

This list goes beyond the main products needed for a given project, such as primer, paint, paintbrushes, stains, or strippers. These 10 products are things I use for almost every project and in my opinion should be on every refinisher’s shelf.

1. Wood filler

Common wood fillers used in furniture flipping.

There are 4 wood fillers I have on hand at all times:

2. Wood glue and clamps

Wood glue and clamps used for furniture flipping.

Wood glue is a must-have if you are dealing with vintage furniture! Wobbles, loose veneer, moving drawers, and drawer slides can all be fixed with glue. Clamps are also very important – the glue works best when it bonds tightly with both parts of the wood. While the clamps can be a bit pricey they are worth having several on hand, that way you aren’t waiting around for glue to dry if you need to clamp more than one area.

3. Shellac

Shellac can be used as a primer to prevent bleedthrough and I use it often for this purpose. You can read more about primers, including shellac here. It is also great at sealing in odors and can be used as a coating on the insides of drawers.

4. Chip brushes/rollers

Chip brushes and rollers for flipping furniture.

While it’s great to have fancy brushes on hand for your paint and topcoats, there are times when you need something more disposable. These chip brushes are my absolute favorite because they are inexpensive but they still brush on smooth and don’t lose bristles. I use them for applying shellac, primers, and wood bleach.

Inexpensive foam rollers are great for applying primers. Similar to a chip brush, they are disposable after a few uses, but they leave a smoother finish that a chip brush does.

5. Microfiber cloths

I use microfiber cloths when I’m cleaning my piece, to wipe down after sanding between coats, to apply oils and salves, and even to buff out a finish when my piece is completed.

6. Steel Wool

I have 0000 grade steel wool on hand and use it mostly when I’m cleaning hardware. I also use it to apply Restor-A-Finish, It’s also great to use when stripping furniture and can help with general cleaning on a really grimy piece.

7. Painter’s Tape

Three rolls of painters tape.

Want a clean paint line? Then having painter’s tape on hand is a must-have. I also use is with plastic to protect areas when I am using a paint sprayer. In a pinch, it can be used to hold glued pieces in place in an area where a wood clamp doesn’t fit

8. Mister Bottle

Using a mister bottle helps tremendously if you hand-paint furniture. Misting the surface helps the paint level and gives more dry time. It is also needed if you want to do a paint wash or some other specialty finishes.

9. Furniture Salve

Melange Paints board and boot quenching balm with yellow microfiber cloths.

The wood on vintage furniture has been around a while and can get pretty dried out. Using a furniture salve or wood conditioner will revive and nourish the exposed wood on the drawer sides and insides. As a bonus, some are scented and add a wonderful smell to your finished piece. Find the salve I use here.

10. Drawer slide lubricant

This stuff is gold. Seriously. I have used many things to help vintage wood drawers slide more easily, such as soap, candle wax, and furniture wax or salve. While these things all help, the drawer slide lubricant works better, is less messy, and lasts longer. Find it here.

11. Respirator Mask

A 3M respirator mask.

While not a supply you use on your piece of furniture, it is absolutely necessary to have a good respirator mask. Furniture flipping creates sanding dust and chemical vapors that you need to protect yourself from. I use this mask by 3M with these cartridges. And make sure you are changing out the cartridges at the recommended intervals. Find the mask and cartridges here.

Summary

There are so many products out there that can help you when flipping furniture. While I’ve tried many of them, these are the ones I reach for the most and are great to always have on hand. I’d love to hear your must-have furniture flipping supplies. Are there any you would add to this list?

If you’re interested in more products that I used often and would definitely recommend to others, I have them all in my Amazon Storefront. And I also have a post that covers my favorite tools. Be sure to check these out!

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