How to Repaint & Distress a Dresser

When you have a dresser that doesn’t match your decor anymore, or that has sustained stains, dents or other damage, refinishing the dresser can give it a facelift. Instead of just painting the dresser a flat color, you can distress the dresser to give it an old world charm. Distressing will make your dresser look worn and well-loved while adding visual interest.

Dresser
Drop cloth
Screwdriver
Chemical resistant gloves
Paint stripper
Paintbrush
Plastic putty knife
Trash can
Sandpaper
Tack cloth
Base coat
Paint tray
Roller
Top coat
Polyurethane sealer spray

Instructions

- 1
  Place your dresser on a drop cloth. Remove any hardware with a screwdriver. Put on chemical resistant gloves.
- 2
  Apply paint stripper to the dresser with a paintbrush. Allow the paint stripper to sit until the paint begins to bubble.
- 3
  Scrap off the paint with a putty knife, and dispose of the paint into a trash can.
- 4
  Sand the entire dresser until all of the remaining paint has been removed. Wipe away any dust with a tack cloth.
- 5
  Paint the dresser with a roller using the color you choose as a base coat. This color will show through when you are distressing, so pick the color accordingly. Let the base coat dry.
- 6
  Sand any drips or uneven areas of paint smooth with sandpaper; wipe away dust with a tack cloth.
- 7
  Paint the dresser with the top coat and allow the paint to dry completely.
- 8
  Rub sandpaper over areas of the dresser you want to show the base coat or wood grain. Sand along the edges of the dresser and the drawers. Wipe away the sawdust with a tack cloth.
- 9
  Spray a coat of polyurethane onto the dresser. Allow the polyurethane to dry.
- 10
  Attach the hardware back onto the dresser.

How to Distress Furniture With Sandpaper

Painting & Distressing Laminate Furniture

Faux Finishing