Best paint for toddler bed?

[carlygutman]

Hi,

Looking for a non-toxic zero-VOC paint for my toddlers bed.

The white has a few marks so hoping to re-paint.

Unsure what the material is, see image.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @carlygutman. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting a bed.

Products like Dulux Super Enamel are a very good option in situations like this because, although they are an oil-based coating with VOCs when first applied, they become completely non-toxic once fully cured. That curing period is up to seven days, and after that point, there is no off-gassing and the coating is considered safe even if a toddler were to chew on it. The only thing to keep in mind is that VOCs continue to release during that curing window, so the bed should ideally be kept in a well-ventilated area, or even outdoors under cover, until that week has passed. This is simply to ensure the VOCs dissipate completely. Before that point, they are unlikely to pose any meaningful risk, but waiting the full curing time gives you complete confidence.

On the question of truly zero VOC or non-toxic paints straight out of the tin, there really are not any that are appropriate for a toddler bed. The only zero VOC products available are mineral-based coatings that are not durable enough and are not suitable for furniture that may be chewed or bumped. Modern water-based paints can be very low in VOC, though they will not give you the hardness or long-term durability you want for a cot or bed.

The finish you have in the photo is almost certainly a two-pack spray coating. These are very smooth and resist top coating, so preparation is important. You will need to sand every surface lightly with 240-grit paper to remove the gloss and give the surface a key. Once you have a dull, uniformly scuffed finish, you can apply Dulux Max Adhesion, which is designed for difficult surfaces and helps the top coat bond properly. After that primer has cured you can apply your Super Enamel and let it harden for the full seven days. This process gives you a durable, long-lasting and safe finish for your toddler’s bed.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[carlygutman]

Thank you that's so helpful.

It says the primer is no longer available, can you recommend an alternative?

[JacobZ]

Hi @carlygutman,

The Dulux PRECISION Maximum Strength Adhesion Primer that @MitchellMc linked to is definitely still available; it may just be out of stock at your local store, or the above link is broken. If this is the case, you could always head to the Special Orders desk to place an order for that specific primer or speak with the Paint team to find out when their order will be coming in to replenish the shelves.

Alternatively, you could use another high-adhesion primer, such as this Zinsser Extreme Adhesion Primer White.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Jacob