Painting a dresser question

[Cruise04]

What type of paint is best to paint a dresser and do I HAVE to strip the varnish off it first or can I just paint right over it. We are finishing our basement and when dd got new bedroom furniture we kept the old dressers to use down in the rooms. She would like to paint the dresser she will get white and then she wants to paint the drawers the colors of what her walls will be (don't ask but it's going to be multicolor).

I just have no clue of what type of paint to use or where to start but we need to start soon - the basement will hopefully be done the beginning of May.

TIA

 

[tc]

The paint will not stick to the varnish. There is something you can put on the varnish to make it sticky (I forget what it's called, but you can ask about it at your local home improvement store). Then paint over it. Or, you can remove the varnish, but that's a ton of work. Use a satin or high gloss because it's easier to clean. If you paint it a flat paint, sometimes the dirt does not wipe of as easily.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Stripping varnish is a ton of work. Go and ask for a primer that you can put right on the varnish. You might also have to sand the whole dresser to rough up the surface. I second the gloss paint.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Very easy.

first - sand off as much of that varnish as you can.
then, wipe the dust off everything with a tacky cloth
PRIME the furniture - use Kilz (it's a brand name - found at any home improvement store - just ask a sales associate for Kilz primer if you can't find it) This apparently covers ANYTHING up.

then paint - all set!

(here's a tip for painting the hardware if you are chaning that too - get a big piece of cardboard and attach the hardware to the cardboard - then spray paint (or paint) away. easy way to "update" them w/o spending money)

can you tell I did this recently? heheh

 

[Cruise04]

Thanks much. Maybe this will be a longer project than predicted. That's okay - I'd rather make it look nice and not just do it fast.

 

[stinkerbelle]

FWIW - it took me friday night (sanding) /all day saturday (primer 1 coat of paint)/half of a sunday(another coat of paint) to do 2 dressers.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle
Very easy.

first - sand off as much of that varnish as you can.
then, wipe the dust off everything with a tacky cloth
PRIME the furniture - use Kilz (it's a brand name - found at any home improvement store - just ask a sales associate for Kilz primer if you can't find it) This apparently covers ANYTHING up.

then paint - all set!

(here's a tip for painting the hardware if you are chaning that too - get a big piece of cardboard and attach the hardware to the cardboard - then spray paint (or paint) away. easy way to "update" them w/o spending money)

can you tell I did this recently? heheh

Perfect directions! We do this LOTS since I just LOVE a good yard sale find...but have to make it look much prettier!! DH jokes "can't we just ONCE buy a piece of furniture that doesn't need some work?!?" Uh...no I'd rather spend the money on Disney trips

 

[C.Ann]

Also, if you're afraid of the paint "chipping" or "scratching" use an oil-based paint (like that which is used for kitchen cabinets) instead of latex..

Years ago I did our kitchen cabinets - they were stained with a HIGH GLOSS varnish - and by using the oil-based paint, I didn't have to sand or prime them at all.. Gosh - I think it's been 15 years or so and we're not terribly careful around the cabinets, but no nicks or scratches!

 

[RNMOM]

Just one more little tip... been there, done that too.

Lightly sand between each coat. After the primer, first coat of paint and top coat. With each coat use finer and finer sandpaper. In fact, the perfect finishing sanding can be done with pieces of paper shopping bags. It just puts a smoother finish on the paint.

Each time you us a moist product on wood it raises the grain. With each coat of paint, if you don't get rid of it, you will notice it more and more. I had a messy looking finish cause I didn't take the time to do this sanding. Now I always do. First I use very fine sandpaper like 250 or higher. Second I usually use very fine steel wool and then the paper. Have fun.

 

[pkasbohm]

have painted a dresser. I just sanded it then wiped it down with a wet cloth, let it dry then painted it with kilz(which is a stain blocker so the dark won't show through) I sanded between coats (put 2 on) Then I just put 2 coats of paint on and let it dry--worked for me--hopes this helps!
Pam