Tips for Refurbishing Wardrobe and Dresser

[misspaf]

Hi guys,

Well I was in a furniture shop today and seen these gorgeous wardrobes and dressers which are basically the same as the one we have in the bedroom except for the colour.

Currently I have the dresser and the wardrobe in all brown, but I want to change them to be a bit like the cream ones... Is it an easy job? What kinda paint will I use?

[Purplerain]

hi you could use dulux satinwood with a mini roller which wont leave paint brush marks or spray paints.Ihave used both on projects and they have turned out fine.

[misspaf]

Do I need to prime it???

Also, for the 4 drawers, I can't use a roller as it's got grooves in it...

[Purplerain]

I didnt prime mine just wiped them over with soapy water. you use a small brush to paint the detail bits first and then roll all over may take a few coats of paint,you need to be patient and take it easy as theres no going back once you have started.you could try it out on an old locker first might get one on jumbletown

[valjoyce]

Hi Misspaf, great idea! Really worth the effort. First I'd unscrew any handles, wash the piece and dry it.
Next sand lightly with fine sandpaper , it wont need priming if it was varnished before, then one undercoat and two coats of satinwood/gloss. I'd suggest a small brush for any grooves/recesses and a little mohair roller for the rest.

An undercoat and at least two satinwood/gloss coats will prevent the paint from chipping. Well worth doing if the job is worth doing at all, you'll have a piece of furniture that suits your needs and your taste.
Good luck, valjoyce

[magda_ola]

Hi misspaff,

the surface might be lightly sanded or cleaned with soapy water and primed with ESP. It's special primer for shiny surfaces. Perfect for veneer furniture.

Then one coat of undercoat and two coats of paint.

Dulux or Johnstone's. Johnstone's is really good.

For drawers use a brush.
For plain surfaces you might use a small roller. After second coat use a brush to give the same effect for all surfaces.
And it will last for a long time.

Using only paint without undercoat and primer will do not be longlasting.
Well after ESP it's possible to paint only with paint without undercoat but to be honest I'll use the undercoat to have it done really good.

Regards,
Magda

[misspaf]

Have bought some satinwood paint, so guess I'll go and buy the ESP primer and an undercoat. What kind of undercoat? Any cheap bog standard one?

[wise old owl]

The best and easiest way to take of the varnish is dilute 2 parts of turps to 1 part water and using steel wool. Dip the wool in the liquid and go only with the grain,start at the top and work in small strips all in a straight line down, do not go acroos. As you get each section done dry it off with a dry cloth. Are the for your room or for the kids, i say an article in the paper about stickers you can buy or make your self

[misspaf]

It's for my Mam's room, we painted the room a warm cream and put up some wallpaper which is a pinkish/black. We're getting in vinyl flooring which is an oaky colour along with skirting. I thought that having the furniture a cream colour would brighten up the room and match it more.

[wise old owl]

I dont think your ma would like stickers on he wardrobe..best of luck. Bernie

[magda_ola]

misspaf,
any undercoat is ok.
I'm buying ESP and paints in Paintworld in Robinhood Industrial Estates. they have good prices.

Steel wool is ok as well. But with ESP it takes about an hour to clean the surface and prime it.

[squeegeyflap]

If you give it a light sand before starting to paint it gets rid of any flaky paint and allows the paint to adhere better, giving it a smoother finish :)