ascertain how to refinish a chest — and give your onetime wood furniture an update look — using our easy footfall - by - stone’s throw guide .
When you eff how torefurbish a dresser , you may give raw living to that vintage small-arm from your nanna orthrift storehouse find .
For this project , westripped a woodwind instrument dresserof a tedious coat of key so its lustrous graining and elegant lines could shine . Next , weadded painted hardwarefor a contemporary touch and cease with a coat of polyurethan .
Credit: Jay Wilde
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that consumers anchor dressers to the wall to prevent bakshish - over death and injury . you could buy an anchoring or anti - tip outfit to help secure your vanity .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
Apply Wood Stripper
Scrape Off the Paint
Once the entire surface has bubbled , use a shaping putty knife to scrape off the blusher . Discard the paint remnants in a scrap bucketful . If stain continue , the wood is profoundly grained , or the piece is in particular ornate , you might require to apply a 2nd coat of stripper and repeat the scratch process . habituate a small wire - bristle encounter to remove any rouge from scissure .
Remove Residue
Using a piece of sword wool and rubbing along the focussing of the grain , wipe the wood down with mineral flavour to take any stripper and blusher residue . You might see bits of key still on the open , but that ’s OK . let the wood aerofoil to dry out for about 15 minutes .
Sand the Dresser
sandpaper the dresserusing medium - sand sandpaper , displace with even pressure along the commission of the cereal . gumption thoroughly , including all the detail . pass over with a mainsheet cloth to slay any dust . Sand again withfiner - moxie emery paper , and pass over with a clean tack fabric . If you ’re unsated with the wood ’s appearance , sand again , using the okay - grit paper . Wipe it down again .
Stain the Dresser
Thoroughly stimulate the wood grime and apply it , using a paintbrush or stain pad , work out in the focusing of the grain and make out small area at a time . After applying the discoloration in one section , waitress about five minutes and then wipe the incision with cheesecloth to remove any excess spot or until youachieve the shade you wantfor refinishing the dresser . Continue applying the stain over the relief of the dresser . restate the steps for a darker shade . Let dry according to the manufacturer ’s directions , from eight to 24 hour .
Before you add the stain , test it in a place that wo n’t be obtrusive such as the inside of a draftsman or the back of the chest , and let it dry out to check that you like the elbow room it looks .
Apply Polyurethane to Complete Refinishing the Dresser
pass over down the dresser with a clean shroud cloth or cheesecloth . Working first on the horizontal surface , moisten a light line of polyurethan onto the dresser . Using a bristle brush , scatter it in the direction of the metric grain , working quickly and brushing over the same region only as much as demand to annul bubbles , streaks , or imperfections . Cover the intact dresser . have it dry out completely , about 12 to 24 hours .
If a second pelage of polyurethane is desire when refinish the dresser or imperfections appear , gently sand with very o.k. grit sandpaper , then pass over with a shroud or cheesecloth . reprize the polyurethan physical process . While the polyurethane dries , spray - paint the hardware . Allow it to dry out completely , then reinstall .
If you ’re using a bristle brushwood , watch for loose brush hairs . Also , depend for any bubbles and brush marks by shining a light at a downcast angle across the surface .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure . you’re able to just sand down the former scratches and apply a thick-skulled key or decorative stencil . Another way to get a new expression is to sum passee pull and pommel , or update brass hardware .
When you are sandpaper , a NIOSH - sanction gasmask for wood dust is your good wager . When you are using blue devils and pigment , practice a cartridge - style respirator that has dust tribute .
“ CPSC Adopts Final Consumer Product Safety Standard to Prevent Tip - Overs of Dressers and Other Clothing Storage Units . ”U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission .
Credit: Jay Wilde
“ anchor Kit Basics . ” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission .
“ 4 steps to a double-dyed polyurethane close . ”WOOD .
“ Before and after : restore vintage furniture and antiques . ” Habitat for Humanity .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Jewitt , Jeff . “ Safety Equipment for Finishing . ”Fine Woodworking .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Credit: Jay Wilde
