How to Refinish an Antique Wood Dresser

Painting Your Wooden Antique Dresser

• 1

  Place the dresser on a plastic or canvas sheet to protect your floor. Remove all hardware. Repair any damage noticeable damage to the wood by filling the cracks with wood putty. Sand all surfaces with a coarse sandpaper and then a fine sandpaper until it feels completely smooth to your touch. Carefully wipe off all dust with a tack cloth.

• 2

  Paint on a thin layer of primer, using a roller on flat surfaces and a brush on the edges. When the primer is dry, sand lightly with the fine sandpaper and remove the dust thoroughly. Repeat with another layer of primer, let it dry and sand lightly again.

• 3

  Paint a thin layer of the final paint on the dresser. If necessary, sand lightly once it dries and paint another layer on top.

• 4

  Once the final coat of paint dries, wax the surface and buff the wax. Put all the hardware back on the dresser.

Restoring a Natural Wood Finish

• 5

  Place the dresser on a plastic or canvas sheet to protect your floor. Remove all hardware. Apply a paint stripper, following the directions on the bottle or can. When the surface is soft, use a putty knife to carefully scrape off the dissolved paint or varnish. When you have removed as much of the finish as you can with the stripper, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove it entirely. Allow the dresser to dry completely.

• 6

  Repair any damage by filling cracks or holes with wood filler. Once the wood filler is dry, sand all surfaces with a coarse sandpaper followed by a fine sandpaper until it feels completely smooth to your touch. Carefully wipe off all dust with a tack cloth.

• 7

  Apply the stain with a paintbrush or rag, depending on the instructions on the can or bottle of stain. Wipe off any excess and make sure the finish looks smooth. Allow the surface to dry.

• 8

  Apply a coat of varnish or shellac with a roller on the flat surfaces and a brush on the edges. When the varnish or shellac is dry, sand lightly with the fine sandpaper. Remove all the dust. Apply a final coat of varnish or shellac. Allow the surface to dry completely, for at least 24 hours.

• 9

  Apply furniture wax and buff the wax. This protects the finish from light scratches, liquids and other stains.