Repainting an old chest of drawers is a fantastic way to give it a totally new look and cleanliness for the next decade of use. It's not technically difficult to repaint a dresser, but it takes elbow grease and takes a reasonable amount of time, like a weekend or several hours from time to time.
Steps
Method 1 of 9: Remove the old surface
Step 1. Determine what the old surface is made of
It is usually paint and maybe enamel paint, but it could also be just one or the other. Or, the old paint could be wax, dye, shellac, or something else. If you can't figure out what it is, ask someone who might know and help you. It is important to be sure, different paints will require different removal techniques.
Step 2. Choose the method to remove the old surface
Once you understand what the old paint is made of, choose the right way to remove it:
- Remove it with wood paint products
- Remove it with paint solvents
- Remove it with lacquer paint products
- Remove it with shellac products.
Method 2 of 9: Prepare the dresser for the new surface
Step 1. Take the chest of drawers to a place where it can get messy. This could be a backyard in good weather, the garage or a work room with lots of ventilation and tarpaulin on the floor
Step 2. Remove all drawers from the chest of drawers
Place them on the ground individually (do not stack them). so that they can be treated one at a time.
Step 3. Start sanding
In addition to each specific method of removing the old surface of your dresser, sand the surface. Even if you've used a paint stripper, hot air welder, or whatever to remove the bulk of the old surface, sanding is still important to remove any stubborn residue or bumps, as well as smooth the surface and make it ready for repaint. In general, all of the following are applicable to the sanding process:
- If you are removing the old surface entirely with glass paper: sanding an entire chest of drawers takes a lot of time. You may want to take several days or moments from time to time to complete this part. It starts with a fine grain, like 150, and then goes up to 200 or 300, depending on the surface. Each grade will remove different parts of the paint, so don't skip gradual changes when changing paper types.
- While a grinder is usually fine for larger parts of the dresser, you'll still need a sandpaper-wrapped block for narrower, hard-to-reach areas, such as corners or burns, and for delicate surfaces, such as decorative parts.
- More stubborn areas of an old paint job may require special attention with tools such as a rasp, chisel, iron wool or the like, to remove stuck or stronger portions. Use them carefully. If you were using a paint stripper or hot-air soldering iron, any loose, sagging paint or glaze should be removed first.
Method 3 of 9: Making repairs
Step 1. Make any necessary repairs before repainting the surface
For a chest of drawers, check that the following things are in order (and, if they aren't, repair them):
- The drawers go in and out without getting stuck.
- The drawers are intact, have no nails or other sharp objects coming out somewhere and have no broken spots.
- Check that the legs are firm and that the dresser does not wobble. Check on a flat, even surface, or you may think the dresser is lopsided when it is the floor.
- There are no visible scratches or dents. If there are, cover them with an appropriate wood filler, and sand them down before repainting.
- If the dresser has a mirror, check for cracks, chips, or stains. Mirrors can be repaired at home to some extent, but you may want to seek expert advice.
- If the dresser has knobs, make sure they are in good condition, no nicks or cracks, etc.
- If a chest of drawers has doors, check that the hinges are in good condition. If they aren't, replace them with new hinges.
Method 4 of 9: Repaint the dresser
Step 1. Decide how you will repaint the chest of drawers
Once the hard preparatory work is done, the fun part begins. What repaint will you use? Each finish has its own particular aspect, and some are more complicated to apply than others. Some suggestions are:
- New painting (acrylic, enamel, double colors, a pattern, a drawing, etc.)
- Spray paint
- Faded paint
- A paint wash
- Dye for wood with wax
- Just wax
- Enamel or enamel paint
- Oil
- French enamel
- Lacquer finish (difficult for non-professionals but Asian-like black finishes are a possibility)
- Decoupage
- Tissue.
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The following sections deal with painting, wax and the use of oils as a finish.
Refinish a Dresser Step 8
Method 5 of 9: Painted finish
Paint is probably the most versatile type of finish you can use. It can be a single color, two colors, or many colors. It can have a shiny, matte, or faded appearance. You can also add a drawing, stencil or pattern.
Step 1. Choose a type of paint
The most popular type for wood surfaces is water-based acrylic. It is easy to apply, the brushes clean easily in water and the finish is smooth and durable. Enamel paint can give a nice glossy finish but is slower to apply and brushes need to be cleaned in white spirit, which means more effort, bad smell and longer drying times.
In general, enamel paint should be preferred on occasions where the chest of drawers will suffer a lot of abuse (such as in a kid's room or retail outlet) Acrylic paint will do just fine for a chest of drawers that won't take too many hits
Method 6 of 9: Repaint the dresser with acrylic paint
Step 1. Prepare the chest of drawers as described above
Step 2. Apply the first coat of acrylic paint
Paint the entire skeleton of the chest of drawers, then paint the individual drawers. For the drawers, only the outer portion needs to be painted. Let everything dry.
Step 3. Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe over the painted parts of the dresser
It will remove any dust or dirt that may have stuck to the surface while it was drying.
Step 4. Fold next hand
This is the second coat of paint. Let it dry.
Step 5. Sand the paint
Use 240 sandpaper and sandpaper all over the finish. Dust with the clean rag.
Step 6. Pass the next hand
This is the first coat of the external level and must be perfect; remove lumps if they form while painting.
Step 7. Use a smaller brush for the decorative parts of the dresser
Let it dry.
Step 8. Sandpaper again
Dust with the clean rag.
Step 9. Switch the last outer hand
Let it dry.
Step 10. Reassemble the chest of drawers
It should look like new and ready to use.
Method 7 of 9: Repaint the dresser with enamel paint
Step 1. Prepare the chest of drawers as described above
Step 2. Apply the first coat of acrylic paint
Paint the entire skeleton of the chest of drawers, then paint the individual drawers. For the drawers, only the outer portion needs to be painted. Let everything dry, this is the first inner coat.
Step 3. Just sand the first coat with 220 sandpaper
Don't go too hard or you'll sand through the wood. dust with a soft, clean rag.
If you squeeze too much, reapply the first coat where it is needed before moving on to the next
Step 4. Fold next hand
This will be the first exterior finish. Let it dry.
Paint with long strokes and light pressure. Use only the tip of the bristles
Step 5. Sand lightly with 320 sandpaper
Again, don't press too hard or you'll have to reapply the paint if you reach the inner coat or wood.
Step 6. Pass the last hand
Use the same long, light strokes from the tip of the brush to achieve a perfect finish. Let it dry.
Step 7. Reassemble the chest of drawers
The finish will be shiny, shiny and durable.
Method 8 of 9: Wax finish
This is a simple finish that works well for wood that feels like it has an interesting texture, color, or appearance.
Step 1. Prepare the chest of drawers as described
Step 2. Choose a wax
furniture wax is a good option, or you could try beeswax. You will also need a nylon scouring pad or an iron sponge with which to apply the wax (an "applicator").
Step 3. Put a lot of wax on the applicator
Rub on the wood of the chest of drawers, passing over the grain of the wood.
Use even strokes to prevent wax from building up in a single part
Step 4. Let it dry for a few minutes
Step 5. Rub the waxed area with a clean rag
Constantly scrub the surface until it stops being sticky and is smooth. It will take a while, so pick up the pace and scrub steadily.
- Always keep your hands behind the tea towel; so that the oils from your skin do not transfer to the surface. As for the hand holding the chest of drawers, wear a cotton glove or hold the cabinet with another clean rag between your hand and the surface of the wood.
- Flip the rag regularly to move to the cleaner part. Sooner or later the rag will have its lumps of wax, and you may need several mops to top it all off.
Step 6. Repeat for the individual drawers
Step 7. Repeat one more time
Add another layer of wax, and then rub it constantly to smooth it out. The surface of the chest of drawers should have at least two layers of wax, more would be even better if you can, because the more layers you create, the better the finish will look.
Step 8. When the look of the finish is to your liking, stop adding layers of wax
Consider leaving the finish as it is, or adding a glaze. Both options are good, but remember that an unglazed wax is more brittle and can be indented easily.
Step 9. Reassemble the chest of drawers
Carefully return the chest of drawers to its place, ready for use.
Method 9 of 9: Oil finishes
Oil finishes are used when you really want the grain and texture of the wood to be the main attraction. You can't clean oil finishes with furniture cleaners, and stains tend to stick around if they happen, so keep that in mind if you choose to do this type of finish.
Step 1. Choose an oil finish
Flaxseed oil is the most common oil used for oil finished furniture, but there are other oils you can use - ask your shopkeeper for specific advice.
Step 2. Prepare the dresser as above
The dresser should be carefully sanded and any dents treated with a fill that looks exactly the same as the wood.
If there are stains or color variations in the wood, color them so they are the same as the rest of the wood before proceeding
Step 3. Brush the chest of drawers and drawers with oil
Use a regular large brush that you would use to paint the dresser. Make generous passes - the wood will tend to absorb oil initially.
Step 4. Wipe the oil over any area that dries
Those areas need more oil.
Step 5. Let the oil absorb
The time needed for this varies between 15 and 45 minutes. depending on the wood, its age and condition, and the oil. Humidity and temperature will in turn have an effect on the time it takes for the oil to penetrate the wood - it will likely be faster in hot weather than in cold weather.
Step 6. Repeat the operation
Apply a new coat of oil. The chest of drawers will need 5 or 6 coats of oil to have a sufficiently durable surface. The finish will also look better if done with multiple layers.
Step 7. Reassemble the chest of drawers
Return it to its place, ready to use. Keep an eye on its condition, oil finishes are the only type of finish that needs regular maintenance to maintain its appearance. Apply a fresh coat of oil after a few months or every semester to keep the oiled look looking its best and continue to protect the dresser.
When cleaning, rub according to the texture. Add a few drops of oil to restore the shine while cleaning, and strengthen it
Advice
- Do not forget the knobs of drawers and / or doors of a chest of drawers. Exchange them with new knobs and the chest of drawers will look like new.
- Some dressers have doors as well as drawers. Treat them as you would treat the skeleton of the chest of drawers, unless you want to take them apart, in which case you will treat them as drawers.
- By sanding, remove residues from the old finish that fall on the paper using a rasp, pliers or iron wool.
- Fabric can be applied to the fronts of a chest of drawers if desired. These can liven up a boring chest of drawers and can go with a theme, such as the style of a children's room.
Warnings
- If you work with chemical solvents, read the instructions for use carefully and follow them carefully. Work in a well-ventilated area at all times.
- For sandblasting, it is advisable to wear a mask and goggles, to protect your respiratory system and your eyes from dust and other dangers.
- Treat used furniture for woodworms and other insect damage before finishing it. If you ignore the signs of infestation, you may be bringing an insect into the house that will not only continue to burrow into the wood of the dresser, but also move on to other furniture. Use professional solutions to defeat destructive wood bugs.
- Do not oil or wax the base of the chest of drawers. It will make the dresser slippery and the oil or wax will stain the floor.
