Home Garden
# Home & Garden >> Furniture >> Bedroom Furniture

How to Make a Wooden Dresser Look Like Metal

Add some style and flash to your bedroom with a metallic dresser. Metal dressers look shiny and stylish, but can often cost a pretty penny. You can save a lot of money by coating a plain wooden dresser with aluminum leaf. Save even more money by using an old dresser you find at a thrift store. You'll be completely covering the dresser with the leaf, so it doesn't matter if the original paint is chipped on the dresser. The shape of the dresser will still shine through, so choose a dresser that has an appealing size and shape.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
  • Sandpaper
  • Primer
  • Paintbrush
  • Dark-colored paint, such as black or deep brown
  • 16 oz. gilding size
  • Aluminum leaf sheets
  • Wooden ruler
  • Leaf sealer (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Unscrew the drawer pulls from the front of the dresser. Take the drawers out of the dresser.

    • 2

      Sand the surface of the dresser, including the front of the drawers, until smooth. Brush or vacuum away the dust.

    • 3

      Apply a coat of primer to the surfaces of the dresser, including the front of the drawers. You can paint the inside of the drawers too, but you don't need to. Let the primer dry for several hours.

    • 4

      Apply a coat of the dark-colored paint to the dresser and drawer fronts. If you want, paint inside the drawers as well. Let the paint dry for at least three hours.

    • 5

      Coat the dresser and drawer fronts with the gilding size. Let the size sit for at least an hour. It will become sticky when it's ready.

    • 6

      Place a piece of aluminum leaf on top of the dresser in one corner. Keep the wax paper backing on top of the leaf. Use the edge of the wooden ruler to smooth the leaf onto the surface, then carefully peel off the backing. Place another piece of leaf, somewhat overlapping the first piece, then smooth with the ruler and remove the wax paper. You don't have to be precise when you position the aluminum sheets since they will meld together. You may even want some of the paint to show through if you want a worn look.

    • 7

      Continue applying the aluminum leaf to the top of the dresser, then cover the sides and feet. Cover the drawer fronts last.

    • 8

      Apply a coat of leaf sealer to the dresser if you don't want the leaf to flake.

    • 9

      Re-attach the drawer pulls to the front of the drawers, and slide them into the dresser body.

Previous:

Next:

Bedroom Furniture
  1. How to Make a Sofa Table Look Like a Chest
  2. How to Make Drywall Mud Look Like Stone
  3. How to Make a White Metal Door Look Like Wood
  4. How to Make Paint Look Like Corrosion
  5. How to Make Siding Look Like Brick
  6. How to Make Concrete Look Like Slate
  7. How to Make a Bed Look Like a Carriage
  8. How to Make a Dresser Look Like a Toolbox
  9. How to Make a Wooden Dresser
  10. How to Make Concrete Look Like Limestone
  11. How to Make Wooden Dresser Drawer Close Easier
  12. How to Make a Metal Headboard Look Antique

Home Garden © https://www.98905.com