Hello Friends!
I found a sweet white painted vintage dresser and, are you ready for this? I painted it white! I know, aren’t you impressed? ; ) Even though my makeover of this dresser didn’t involve a drastic color change, the many small fixes I made really add up to a big difference.
I love these little vintage cuties, and at first glance, this one didn’t look too bad. Here’s a before, or more accurately an “in process” photo. I had just begun to sand it, and then remembered to grab a photo.
Before
I found this one at a local thrift store, and it had been painted by a previous owner. Structurally, it was solid and in good shape. Here’s the problem, though. The prior owner had not primed this piece, and had painted it with a latex semigloss paint. The tell tale sign of that was the peeling rubber-like paint. The prior owner had also painted it with, I’m guessing, a rough nap roller because the texture left behind was the worst I have seen. Definitely a “just slap a coat of paint on it” situation going on. Here’s a close up.
It was like popcorn ceiling rough. And notice the painted over keyhole covers? Not good.
After
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Steps
The original drawer pulls were in bad shape, and some of them were missing, so I removed what was left. I also carefully removed the painted over keyhole covers. I did this by using a very small screwdriver, and slowly and gently prying the covers up, starting from inside the keyhole, and working my way around. Be very careful if you do this because these brass covers are really thin and can easily bend.
I gave this piece a thorough sanding with 80 grit sandpaper, getting off all the loose and peeling rubber paint. I then went over the entire piece with 120 grit sandpaper to smooth it out and get it ready to paint. Because I was planning to paint this piece, I didn’t worry about removing all the paint. I just wanted to smooth out the texture and get rid of the peeling areas. I figured if it’s not coming off with 80 grit sandpaper, it should be fine.
I primed it with two coats of BIN shellac based primer which seals the piece and creates a surface for the new paint to adhere. I lightly sanded using a 220 grit sanding sponge in between coats of primer. I then painted it with 4 or 5 thin coats of General Finishes Milk Paint using a 50/50 mix of Antique White and Snow White. I use this custom mix a lot, and it’s a great fresh cream white. Again, I lightly sanded between coats of paint. Once dry, I applied two coats of General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in flat to seal and protect the paint. No distressing on this piece, just clean, simple and fresh.
I used a bit of Citristrip to remove the paint from the original keyhole covers and then cleaned them up with Bar Keepers Friend. I put them back on, and they look so much better. It’s a small detail, and takes a little bit more time and effort, but I think it makes such a big difference in the look of the finished piece.
Since the original hardware had pretty much bitten the dust, I added these new bin pulls. They give this piece a nice clean look, and match the finish on the original keyhole covers.
This dresser was also missing its original casters, so I put on these replacement wood casters.
They are really affordable and simple to add – just twist into the original sockets. Again, it’s a small detail, but I love the look of wooden casters on these old dressers.
And aren’t those paneled sides the best?
Have a great weekend! I’ll be back soon with a vintage desk makeover that is in the works.
I love how this vintage dresser turned out. Thanks also for sharing the link to the hardware pulls. You’ve to love a Martha Stewart product that is both beautiful and reasonably priced! Keep up the good work as I can’t wait to see what you are up to next!
Thanks, Chelli. I have used these same pulls on a few other pieces and I really love them. They are sturdy, and aren’t polished brass (they are a little bit more antiqued) and look great on these old pieces. And of course, it’s always nice to find reasonably priced hardware! Susan
You saved this baby! It looks beautiful now!
Thanks, Patricia! Yes, I rescued this one from a bad paint job – it’s getting kind of addictive!
Beautiful, Susan! Did you brush on the paint or spray it on? And, what is the type/brand of brush or sprayer that you used? Thanks.
Hi Karen. I actually brushed this one. I used my tried and true favorite 2 inch angled Purdy brush. When I do spray, I use the HomeRight Finish Max.
Beautiful! Are you are aware that placing paintedhandles in boiling water for a minute or two loosens it? It simplifies removing paint as in it peels off. ☺️
Thanks, Esther! Yes, I have heard about boiling hardware to remove paint, and really need to try it one of these days. Do you know if it also removes the tarnish? Sometimes I want to keep the tarnished look on old hardware, but not the paint. I was thinking that boiling could be the way to go. Susan
Beautiful rescue, as always!! Your attention to detail with the wood casters and keyhole covers really give it a lovely finished look.
This is a beautiful make over. I love the plant you have on top of the books, could you tell me what the name of it is?
Thanks, Izzy! The little plant is a faux fern that I recently picked up from Pottery Barn.
Susan,
Your renovated pieces are always beautiful. Do you sell them? If so, where?
Kay
Thank you, Kay! Yes, I do sell some of my pieces locally in Seattle. Susan
Hi Susan,
Any particular shops? I live in Seattle too!
Kay
Beautiful.
Thanks for the clarification on sanding between primer coats. I do it but have never read if I should or not.
Hi Janie – I always lightly sand between coats. I think it helps to get that nice smooth finish.
This dresser is beautiful! You do beautiful work! I have 2 questions. Did you paint the back the same as the front, top and sides or did you leave it the way you found it? Also, how were the insides of the drawers when you found the dresser? Did you paint those as well? Thank you!
Thanks, Loren! I don’t paint the backs of dressers. The back was never finished originally or intended to be seen, so I just clean them up and leave it as is. I don’t paint the insides of drawers either. The drawer interiors on this one were in great condition, so all I had to do was clean them. When drawers have stains that won’t come out, I line them with fabric or paper. Susan
And she is just beautiful now!!! I love General Finish everything!!
Thank you, Vivian. General Finishes paints and products are the best. I can’t recommend them enough.
What a great job. It’s beautiful and I congratulate you for NOT destressing it. Why paint a piece of furniture and then distress it? I don’t get it.
Thanks, Rita. I think this piece looked best without distressing, too. I’m so happy you like it!