Bois Impérial No. 52 Lacquer

A very dark, warm brown with a hint of nut: Bois Impérial No. 52 sits closer to oiled hardwood than to earth. The tone feels deep and self-assured, turning a simple piece of furniture into something with real weight. re-box protect applies it in a satin sheen.

How deep Bois Impérial No. 52 looks on wood

With very dark browns, it's the sheen level that decides whether a surface looks refined or flat. The satin finish of re-box protect draws a narrow streak of light across every edge, letting the depth of the tone come through. On a flat cabinet front, Bois Impérial No. 52 looks almost like dark veneer, only more even. On turned legs or profiled frames, it creates a play of near-black shadows and warmly lit ridges. Next to a light oak floor the tone stays warm; next to grey concrete it turns a touch more austere.

Preparing the surface before the brown goes on

The surface must be clean, dry, load-bearing and free of loose material. On old furniture, that means: remove any flaking varnish, sand glossy spots matte, wipe away sanding dust, and clean off grease and polish residue. Then comes re-box core as an adhesion primer, followed by the colour in two thin coats. Paint the edges and profiles first, then the surface in one direction. Where glass, fittings or wall meet the piece, the masking line makes all the difference – Masking without bleed-through: how it's done.

Doors, stairs, built-ins: where it works

The paint is made for furniture, wood and interior surfaces and stands up to mechanical stress as well as everyday dirt.

• Stair treads, stringers and handrails
• Door leaves and frames in older buildings
• Chests of drawers, trunks, writing desks
• Wall panels and wooden skirting boards

For wooden staircases, it's worth reading Painting stairs: a guide for wooden staircases, which explains the order of work and which sections stay walkable.

What pairs well with the dark brown

Bois Impérial No. 52 needs room to breathe. A second dark piece next to it swallows the space, while a lighter partner sets the tone off beautifully. From Brown Paints, these work well:

• Chêne Antique No. 51 Paint – a lighter oak note as a counterpart
• Velours Brun No. 50 Paint – a velvety mid-tone
• Brun Moka No. 53 Paint – a related coffee depth for a second piece
• Charbon Nuit No. 49 Paint – an almost black finish for trims

The matching wall colour comes in the same tone as Bois Impérial No. 52 wall paint – ideal, for example, for the back wall of a niche in front of which the lacquered piece stands.

How far a 750 ml tin goes

One litre covers approx. 6 to 8 m² per coat, so the tin covers approx. 4.5 to 6 m² for a single coat and approx. 2 to 3 m² for two coats. A chest of drawers with four drawers, a top and sides falls within this range. For a room door on both sides – approx. 3 to 4 m² – it's better to use two tins for two coats. For a straight staircase with thirteen steps, it's best to work it out beforehand, step by step.

Frequently asked questions about Bois Impérial No. 52

Won't such a dark brown feel overwhelming in a room?
On individual pieces of furniture and doors, Bois Impérial No. 52 tends to look refined rather than heavy. It only becomes tricky when wall, floor and furniture are all dark together – then you need a light counterpoint.

Can I paint over old, varnished wood with it?
Yes, as long as the old varnish is firmly bonded, sanded and degreased. Then comes re-box core as an adhesion primer, and only after that the colour coat.

Does the paint hold up on stair treads?
Yes, re-box protect is designed for wood and interior surfaces subject to mechanical stress. Two thin coats over the primer are more durable than one thick one.

Is Bois Impérial No. 52 also available as a wall paint?
Yes, the same tone is available as a wall paint in 2.5, 5 and 10 litres. The paint is designed for 750 ml, since furniture surfaces are smaller than walls.