This is totally not quilting related except that I’m going to use this dresser in my studio…I purchased this solid wood dresser and I don’t want to refinish it. I want to paint it, all cool and funky.
I loved the look of it as soon as I saw it and then when it turned out to be solid wood, not particle board and veneer, I just had to have it.
It has all these drawers in it, not just shelves. Even a divided drawer on top.
Now comes the new adventure part! I’ve painted walls…and walls…and walls, but I’ve almost never painted furniture. Remember the cool carved furniture I loved at that Mexican restaurant?
That colorful feeling is what I would like to end up with on this dresser. But what’s the best way to achieve that?
I know that the first step is to clean and prime. It’s not rough or dinged up, so I shouldn’t need to sand or repair anything. Or does everything wood have to be sanded first? I need to figure this out because I have cabinets inside the house that I want to paint also!
After the primer, I want a white or light background and then I want to play with my stencils and bright colors. I’m assuming the final coats will be polyacrylic or polyurethane to give it a nice finish, but should I start with a gloss finish paint for that background?
I’m looking for any advice you have to give. I’m eager to get it done, but I don’t want to mess it up and have to start over. On the other hand, it’s only paint…
Looks like loads of fun. One gadget I ‘had’ to buy for a similar project was a mouse sander – the powered sander that has the pointy nose on it for getting into corners and tight spaces. What a great project. Enjoy.
Don’t have one of those tools, but I think I might just have to get one now!
In short, yes you have to sand it. How much depends on the look you want to achieve. Removing all the existing finish and creating a very smooth surface is necessary in order to have the paint adhere properly and not peel or flake later.
If memory serves me, there is (or at least was) a show on HGTV that showed you the different ways to repaint furniture. I’m sure the directions are still on their site.
Polyurethane (or other) finish is optional.
Since sanding is not an option, I’m glad this piece doesn’t have any fancy carving or small, picky places! Thanks.
how old does it have to be to be an antique? these came out of the law quad, which was built around 1930. Anyway, you need to check these out before you do anything: http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/upcycled-dressers-painted-wallpapered.html
What a great site! Now I have too many ideas! But I think I will have cloth drawer liners–since I have a bit of fabric available!
Do a search for “Telavera” pottery to get some ideas for your decorative painting.
Oooh, more pretty things to look at!!!
I have painted many furniture pieces ( two bedroom sets, a crib, a high chair, kitchen cabinets, blah, blah, blah) as well as wood paneling on the walls. I use something from Sherwin Williams called Preprite but it’s really just sand paper in a can or liquid sand paper and you can get it almost anywhere. It achieves the same thing the sand paper does (unless you have a ton of nicks and uneven stuff going on) by “softening” the finish on the wood so that the primer adheres better. The trick is to put that on and then paint right away with an alkyd (oil based) primer/enamel undercoater. After that it’s clear sailing and you can do whatever else you want! You might want to use an enamel for the base coat because it leaves less brush strokes in the finished product. Good Luck!
Okay–new products mentioned here and process! I need to talk to you more about it next time I see you!!
I think you have a good handle on this. The only advise I could give is on the polyacrylic or polyurethane. I would suggest the polyacrylic instead of polyurethane. You will get a truer color with acrylic then with the urethane. polyurethane has a yellow tint. I love the dresser by the way…
Super! That’s what I had read about the polyacrylic…glad to have it confirmed from soneone who knows!
I hate sanding too, but it really makes a difference, especially if you are painting on top. Don’t forget to look at all the wonderful drawer knobs available now, including colorful ceramic ones that can be part of your design.
I’m looking forward to checking out cool hardware. We have a great store here in town for that kind of stuff and I’ve always wanted a reason to buy some. Now I need them!
Light sanding–with a sanding block or very affordable belt sander will do the trick: need not be a major drudge. Love your vision…but maybe consider a time-worn patina? Rubbing some paint off the edges, revealing another color underneath; sanding edges back to show the bare wood even, no wood filler on those imperfections, less gloss, more satin finish? (Country Living’s Country Paints book was my little foray away from quilting how-to books.) Any way you do it, it’ll be fantastic!!
Oh, I have all the tools I could possibly need! I’m thinking I don’t want too distressed of a look, though, and not too primitive or folksy either. I think by the time I get it cleaned, sanded and primed I should be able to narrow it down to what kind of a style I want. Hope so, anyway!
Everyone is saying Prime,,, but what Primer do they recommend??? I have things I want to paint also!
For all the walls I’ve painted, I don’t think there’s anything better than Kilz. If someone recommends something different, I’ll pass it on!
I would second the KILZ for a primer… if there is any chance of color from the finish on the piece or the wood itself bleeding through new paint, the Kilz will be sure nothing gets through (the oil based one is smelly, but best). I painted a very water stained ceiling that also had bad stains from a smoker who lived here, many, many years ago and no bleeding… other areas that I just primed with a regular latex primer, not so good… some color eventually bleeds through from stains, knots or other things.
Good info! I have used the latex Kilz before over dark wood and could have used 3 coats of that alone!!! I don’t mind the smell as I’ll be working in an open garage. I’m ready to go on it, but tomorrow is 3 yr. old grandson day and I’m not ready to have him help!
You do know that any painting you do to this piece with take away any of its antique value…. Do you know how old it is?
It’s not too old–came from UM Property disposition and I’m not collecting for antique value! If I even sand and re-finish, that can hurt antique value, so not something I’m worried about! I got it for the usefulness and the cool factor!
What a wonderful find!! Being the wife of a contractor and wannabe cabinet and furniture maker, I always love to see old pieces refinished to show off the wood. I do love the idea you have for painting this, though and as Karen wrote, definitely sand and prime before painting. If the prime coat is a bit rough, sand lightly with a fine grit to keep things smooth as you go (wiping with a tack-cloth after sanding). If you plan to use a very glossy finish when done, I don’t think the base needs to be glossy since the gloss will be added later. Sanding lightly between layers of the poly or whatever final coat you use will also help to get that glassy, smooth finish. I look forward to seeing what it looks like when you get done! All those drawers are fantastic!
I love beautiful wood too, but this piece is just not destined for re-staining! I love the drawers and the doors and…the whole thing! Thanks for the technical advice…even though I hate sanding, I guess I just cannot avoid it!
I’ve painted lots of furniture and it can be lots of fun. You first need to lightly sand, prime it, draw if you want then paint! If you make a mistake, it’s easy to fix. Just paint over it. Let me know if I can help with any questions. Have fun! Great piece of furniture!
Aaah-I just knew there would be sanding! But painting over the mistakes I can handle!