Learn how to refinish a dresserand give your old wood furniture an updated lookusing our easy step-by-step guide.
Next, weadded painted hardwarefor a contemporary touch and finished with a coat of polyurethane.
Discard the paint remnants in a scrap bucket.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Use a small wire-bristle brush to remove any paint from crevices.
You might see bits of paint still on the surface, but that’s OK.
Allow the wood surface to dry for about 15 minutes.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Sand thoroughly, including all the details.
Wipe with a tack cloth to remove any dust.
Sand again withfiner-grit sandpaper, and wipe with a clean tack cloth.
Credit: Jay Wilde
If you’re unsatisfied with the wood’s appearance, sand again, using the finest-grit paper.
Wipe it down again.
Continue applying the stain over the rest of the dresser.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Repeat the steps for a darker shade.
Let dry according to the manufacturer’s directions, from eight to 24 hours.
Working first on the horizontal surface, drizzle a light line of polyurethane onto the dresser.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Cover the entire dresser.
Let it dry completely, about 12 to 24 hours.
Repeat the polyurethane process.
Credit: Jay Wilde
While the polyurethane dries, spray-paint the hardware.
Allow it to dry completely, then reinstall.
If youre using a bristle brush, watch for loose brush hairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure.
When you are sanding, a NIOSH-approved respirator for wood dust is your best bet.
When you are using vapors and paint, use a cartridge-style respirator that has dust protection.
CPSC Adopts Final Consumer Product Safety Standard to Prevent Tip-Overs of Dressers and Other Clothing Storage Units.U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
4 steps to a perfect polyurethane finish.WOOD.
Before and after: Restoring vintage furniture and antiques.
Safety Equipment for Finishing.Fine Woodworking.
