How to Refinish Dresser Paint in Shabby Chic

Create a Shabby Chic dresser.

• 1

  Clean your dresser thoroughly. Use trisodium phosphate and a cloth to wipe down the furniture piece. Allow to dry.

• 2

  Remove all hardware and hinges.

• 3

  Remove drawers and set them aside.

• 4

  Sand all areas of the dresser and drawer fronts with 120-grit sandpaper. Go with the grain of the wood.

• 5

  Wipe dresser and drawers down with a tack cloth.

• 6

  Prime your dresser and drawers. Paint on a water-based, stain-killing primer. Allow to dry.

• 7

  Rub the dresser with steel wool. Lightly go over the dresser with steel wool and wipe with a tack cloth when finished.

• 8

  Paint with a water-based paint. Apply a coat of paint to the dresser front, sides and drawer fronts. Allow to dry thoroughly.

• 9

  Sand paint off selected edges. To make your dresser look worn and aged, take your sandpaper and gently sand off some of the painted edges of the furniture.

• 10

  Wipe your furniture piece with a tack cloth.

• 11

  Re-assemble your Shabby Chic dresser. Slide drawers back into the dresser. Replace the hardware and hinges or add antique or reproduction hardware.

• 12

  Apply furniture paste wax. To protect your Shabby Chic furniture piece, apply 1 to 2 coats of paste wax to the dresser front, sides and fronts of the drawers. Enjoy.