How do you paint an old wood dresser
Andrew White
Published May 06, 2026
Prime the dresser with Zinsser Cover Stain oil-based primer using a paintbrush for small areas and a foam roller for large areas. Begin painting by using a paint brush for edges and small details, and a foam roller for large, flat surfaces. Allow paint to dry and add a second coat.
Can I just paint over my dresser?
In conclusion, yes you can paint over painted furniture at your own discretion. … Keep in mind that your paint will only stick to the paint that is on the furniture. If the existing paint is peeling and chipping off you may need to remove it before repainting.
Can I paint over varnished wood without sanding?
Can you paint over varnished wood without sanding? Yes. … The oil based primer will stick to varnished or sealed wood. And then you can paint over it with latex paint.
How do you paint an old dresser?
- Sand the Existing Finish. If your dresser has a smooth finish and is in good shape, feel free to skip this step if you are using chalk paint. …
- Clean the Dresser and Let It Dry. Remove any dust and debris from the surface. …
- Roll on a Coat of Paint. …
- Trim With a Brush. …
- Buff on a Wax Finish. …
- Reattach Your Hardware.
What kind of paint do you use on a wood dresser?
For furniture, it’s best to use a satin or semigloss finish in either a latex or an oil-based paint. Never leave primer unpainted. If you choose a latex paint, a latex primer is an excellent choice for most uses.
Do you need to sand a dresser before painting?
As with any paint job, clean the surface well before beginning (and if you’re not sure which method to use, test a few in small patches before committing to the whole job). …
What kind of paint do you use on a dresser?
Materials for painting a dresser Any furniture paint will work including chalk paint and latex paint.
Will paint stick to varnished wood?
You can paint over varnished wood as long as you use the right materials and painting process. The best paint to use is a water-based acrylic one. If you’re using an oil-based paint only use an oil-based primer, not an acrylic one. “Sweet, this means it can be done!How can I paint an old dresser without sanding?
- USE A MINERAL PAINT. Mineral paint is very similar to chalk style paints in that no prep or prime is required. …
- USE MILK PAINT + BONDING AGENT. As I already mentioned, the antique desk in this post was not prep-sanded. …
- USE A BONDING PRIMER. …
- USE A LIQUID SANDER/DEGLOSSER.
Best Primer for Varnished Wood When painting over varnished wood, my go-to primer is the oil-base product Cover Stain by Zinsser. Yes, it’s oil and it smells horrible, but it seals wood to prevent bleed-through from tannin. Cover Stain is also an excellent bond coat for paint. It dries in one to two hours.
Article first time published onHow do you paint over finished wood?
- Step 1: Start by sanding the wood. “Can you paint over stain without sanding?” is a common question. …
- Step 2: Wipe down the wood. …
- Step 3: Add a coat of primer. …
- Step 4: Wipe the wood with a cloth. …
- Step 5: Paint your wood. …
- Step 6: Apply the finish.
Can you paint a wooden dresser?
If your wood isn’t dark or knotty, a regular primer is perfectly fine. When the primer has dried, begin painting. … The oil-based primer is what will prevent stains from the wood or previous varnishes from seeping through. You don’t want to use a water-based paint over an oil-based paint, however.
Is there specific paint for wood?
Generally, you can use just about any kind of paint on wood surfaces, whether it’s wood furniture, wood trim or other wood surfaces. Oil-based paint is great for furniture makeovers in terms of durability over time. However, it’s not as easy to deal with as latex and other specialty furniture paints are.
What happens if you don't sand furniture before painting?
Sanding also removes any bumps and impurities from the wood which would make it look uneven and messy. If you don’t sand before painting you will likely end up with an uneven finish and a paint job that will likely end up peeling after a few months.
Do you have to strip wood before painting?
If you are painting as opposed to staining, there is no need to strip the finish or sand it down to the bare wood. Simply removing the glossy finish will suffice. If the surface is already dull, you can skip this step.
How do you paint over wood without sanding?
Chalk paint is the best way to paint practically anything without sanding. It offers a gorgeous matte finish and no need to prepare the surface. Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint was the cornerstone of the painted furniture industry as we know it.
What grit sandpaper should I use before painting wood?
Sanding is critical to creating a smooth surface. For wood that is going to be painted, use 120-grit, followed by 150-grit. For closed-grain woods (such as Cherry, Pine, Maple, Birch or Alder) that will be stained with water-based products use 150-grit followed by 180-grit.
What sandpaper should I use for wood?
Primary sanding of rough wood and the removal of planning marks on wood is often best done with medium-grit sandpaper. Fine sandpapers range from 120- to 220-grit. For most home workshops, this sandpaper will suffice for final sanding before the work is finished.
How do you make an old wood dresser look new?
- apply wood stripper. Apply Wood Stripper. Remove hardware from the dresser and place in a safe spot. …
- scrape off paint. Scrape Off Paint. …
- remove residue on dresser. Remove Residue. …
- sand dresser. Sand Dresser. …
- stain dresser. Stain Dresser. …
- apply polyurethane to wood. Apply Polyurethane to Refinished Dresser.
Is it better to sand or strip furniture?
Stripping is Faster and Often Safer. Stripping a finish is faster than sanding to remove it. But more importantly, sanding cuts through stain and patina (the color changes in wood caused by light and oxidation), and it does so unevenly. …
How do you paint a painted dresser?
If you’re painting over painted furniture, make sure to sand down any drips from the previous paint job. I recommend lightly sanding the entire piece of furniture, as it will help the new paint stick. Use sandpaper between a 120 and at least 220 grit.
How much do I need to sand varnished wood before painting?
Lightly sand all the wood trim using a 220 grit sandpaper. This should help break up the varnish and give the primer a solid base to adhere to. Vacuum up as much of the dust from sanding as possible. Then, wipe down each surface with a tack cloth to ensure no dust was left behind.
How do you paint over stained and varnished wood?
- Clean the trim with general-purpose household cleaner. …
- Sand the trim with a 180-grit sanding sponge or sandpaper. …
- Remove all sanding dust. …
- Apply stain-blocking primer to the trim. …
- Allow the primer to dry, following the primer manufacturer’s recommendations. …
- Paint the trim with a water-based or oil-based paint.
Is Primer the same as undercoat?
Decorators often use the terms interchangeably but in simple terms, an undercoat is always a primer, but a primer is not always an undercoat. … Primers act as a foundation for your paint to stick to while undercoats create a flat and level base for topcoats.
Can you use wall paint on wood?
When using emulsion paint on wood, it is important to consider: Emulsion paint is only suitable for interior woodwork. Exterior wooden surfaces require the durability and weather resistance that exterior wood treatment can offer. Preparing the surface when painting wood is crucial.
How do you paint a dresser like a pro?
- Start with a plan – distressed or smooth. …
- Know when to sand. …
- Use high quality paint brushes. …
- Use a roller for flat surfaces. …
- Use the right primer. …
- Getting a smoother paint finish. …
- Save time on clean up. …
- Keep any distressing natural-looking.