How to Apply Leather to the Top of a Chest of Drawers

Use stripper to remove the paint or varnish from the top, depending on which treatment the chest of drawers has. Follow the directions on the package. Generally, the stripper is applied to the paint or varnish and allowed to work for a few minutes before it is removed with a flat tool such as a paint scraper. Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove any paint left on the top.

Sand the top surface smooth. Use a damp rag to wipe up sandpaper dust and another to dry the surface. Once it's dry, repeat the process to remove any remaining dust and let the top dry thoroughly.

Cut the leather piece to fit the top of the chest of drawers. Create a paper template of the top of the dresser, lay it over the leather and use heavy-duty shears or a leather knife to cut the leather.

Use a paintbrush to apply an even coat of contact cement to the top of the chest of drawers and the underside of the leather piece. The cement shouldn't be too thin or too thick -- a depth of about 1/16 inch is about right.

Allow the contact cement to cure before you join the leather to the top of the chest. The curing time is affected by the temperature and the humidity. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then gently touch the glued surface. If the glue is ready, there will be no residue on your finger when you pull it away, and the glue surface shouldn't show a fingerprint.

Carefully place the leather on top of the chest of drawers. Once the glued sides meet, they bond, so you only get one chance. Line up one edge of the leather with the edge of the chest, and slide the rest of the leather piece into place.

Use a rolling pin or J roller to ensure that the glue on the leather is firmly in place against the glue on the chest along the entire surface. Start at one end and roll to the other end, working in strips until you've run over the entire surface. Apply pressure as you roll.