How to Redo Old Furniture With a Funky Water Paint Look

Preparing the Wood

• 1

  Remove drawers, if applicable. Clean the furniture thoroughly with a clean cloth. Use an old toothbrush to loosen dirt from crevices and grooves.

• 2

  Remove handles and knobs by loosening the screws that hold them in place. Keep all hardware together in a plastic bag.

• 3

  Strip the old finish from the furniture using a commercial stripper. Formulas that require no cleanup or are washed away with water are easiest to use. Wear protective eye gear and gloves when handling these chemicals and only work in areas with plenty of ventilation. Follow manufacturer directions for applying stripper and set time.

• 4

  Scrape old finish off with a putty knife and steel wool. Some finishes may take more than one stripper application.

• 5

  Clean the stripper from the wood according to manufacturer guidelines. Let furniture dry overnight.

• 6

  Smooth the wood surface using 120-grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper in the same direction as the wood grain until there are no rough spots or old varnish. Sand the clean surface again with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth surface ready to take paint.

Painting the Wood

• 7

  Apply a base coat in white or the lightest color in your palette. Cover all exposed wood with one coat evenly applied.

• 8

  Allow paint to dry overnight.

• 9

  Dilute latex paint by mixing 1 part paint with 8 parts water in a painting tray or other container. Stir.

• 10

  Apply one coat of the diluted paint using light, horizontal strokes. The base color should show through.

• 11

  Allow paint to dry overnight before adding a second coat.

• 12

  Preserve the look by applying a coat of polyurethane varnish. Dry overnight.

• 13

  Reattach knobs or handles and slide drawers back in place.