Dresser Makeover

 

Found this beauty at the lake a couple weeks ago.  The only problem is that it had this musty lake cabin smell that would not go away so anything you put in the drawers would take on that smell.

After I removed the hardware I sanded it down with 150 grit sandpaper using an electric hand sander.  Then I taped off some of the internal boards as I think painting the inside might make the drawers sticky when I put them back in.

 Then I got out the odorless spray can of Kilz.  I am hoping this takes care of that musty smell.  I even sprayed the back. One coat took an entire can.  After it dried I applied about a 1/4 of a 2nd can.   Then after that dried I sanded it again to make it smooth.

Next I sprayed it with a Rustoleum Blossom White satin spray paint.  It took 2 coats and less than one can.

Next I sprayed the drawers with Rustolum Aqua Satin spray paint.  Took just one coat.

Next I sprayed the hardware with a black spray paint that adheres to metal.

After it dried I got out my sander again to distress it.  This is always my favorite part.  Time to add a little character.  Then put back on the hardware.

Here's what it looks like next to my previous two pieces.  I might put these all in my daugher's room as she just turned two and is in the process of moving out of her crib.  The aqua and white will go perfect with her new big girl bedding.

Finally I found some translucent glaze and added a tiny bit of black paint and applied the glaze to the areas I distressed or wanted to stand out.  Notice how the details of the dresser start to stand out with the glaze.  You would barely have noticed the design on the drawers without it.  Then used a foam brush to put on the waterbased polyurathane which helped protect it and make it feel smooth.

 Then I ordered this beautiful contact paper from Wal-Mart.  Can't wait until it arrives and then I will be lining the drawers.

 

Welcome to my first-ever furniture makeover project full of information so you can try it yourself. First I went hunting for some ugly beat up solid wood furniture. I found the twin nightstands at our church annual garage sale.

Next I sanded these down with some 150 grit sandpaper and I used an electric sander I bought for about $30.

Then I removed the hardware and sanded there too.

Then I taped up the edges and bought a spray can of Kilz and started spraying.  If you use too much it will start to drip so do a do a few light coats.  I ended up doing three.

Next I used Rustoleum spraypaint in satin bloosom white and did 2 coats over the top of the Kilz.

 

 Once dry it was time to start sanding with my electric sander anywhere I wanted that distressed look or wanted a smooth finish.This was way too much fun and the best part of the process.  Totally therapeutic!

 

In the meantime I had spraypainted the hardware black.  Then I went to to the hardware store and bought a small can of translucent or opaque glaze.  I took a plastic cup and dumped in two parts of the glaze with 1 part of black satin Valspar latex paint and stirred it up with a paint can stick.  You just need a tiny bit.  A half cup of glaze and a 1/4 cup of paint was WAY too much for this project.  Next I took a foam brush and dipped it into the mixture and then started applying it where I had sanded and distressed the furniture. I just did one small section at a time. Then I took a wet rag and wiped off the excess.  The glaze/paint mixture adhears to the places you sand and distress.  If you want it darker just redo it again and then let it dry.  Then I replaced the hardware.

 Here is comparing the two.  Once I am done with the painting I want to put a fun contact paper or liner in the drawers.  I am from a small town in northern Minnesota.  We have no Home Depot, Menards or Lowes.  I use True Value and Ace Hardware on a regular basis.  Contact paper may be hard to find here so I'll need a few more days before I can show how the drawers turned out. 

This is a list of my supplies.  I ended up using Zinsser primer in a spray can for the 2nd dresser as the hardware store was out of the Kilz.

Here is both of them.  I still need to add some water based Polycrylic later this week.  I will post more photos of the liners once I get those done as well.