Refinishing a Dresser with Black Paint
Step-by-step guide made from Black Sheep House's YouTube video.
Learn how to refinish a wooden dresser with black paint for a smooth, streak-free finish. This guide covers specific techniques for prepping the surface, applying paint with a brush and roller, and using an innovative method to apply a matte topcoat without brushstrokes.
- Difficulty: beginner
- Time: about 4 hours
Must know before you build
- Avoid chalk paint for dark colors; it reactivates with water-based topcoats.
- Brush details, then immediately roll flat surfaces with a high-density foam roller.
- Keep foam roller damp, not dripping, when applying topcoat to prevent bubbles.
- Lightly use tack cloths; heavy pressure leaves waxy residue affecting paint adhesion.
- Add Floetrol to paint for extended working time on large surfaces, preventing quick drying.
- Thoroughly mix water-based polyurethane with a drill mixer for an even matte finish.
Tools
- Screwdriver
- Sanding sponge (400-grit)
- Shop vacuum (optional)
- Paint brush (Medium, stiff-bristled)
- Foam roller (High-density, Whizz)
- Paint tray
Materials
- Dish soap
- Tack cloths (HDX)
- Interior Paint & Primer (1 quart, Acrylic-based, HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, Ovation Plus, Satin finish, Color: Caviar)
- Water-Based Polyurethane (Varathane, Ultimate, Crystal Clear Matte)
- Drawer Pulls (10, Wood)
Step by step
Step 1: Prepare the Dresser
The old hardware is removed, the entire piece is scuff-sanded, vacuumed, cleaned with soap and water, and wiped down with a tack cloth.
- Remove Old Hardware. Using a screwdriver, remove all the original drawer pulls and hardware from the dresser.
- Tip: Even if you don't like the old hardware, save it. Vintage hardware can be sold or might come back in style for a future project.
- Scuff Sand the Surface. Lightly sand the entire surface of the dresser and drawers with a sanding sponge. This is just to scuff the old finish and give the new paint something to grip, not to remove the finish completely.
- Clean the Dresser. First, use a shop vacuum to remove all the sanding dust. Then, wipe the entire piece down with a cloth and a mixture of dish soap and water. After it dries, go over it one last time with a tack cloth to pick up any remaining fine dust particles.
- Tip: When using a tack cloth, apply very light pressure to avoid leaving a waxy residue on the surface.
Step 2: Apply First Coat of Paint
The first coat of black paint is applied to the drawers, top, and sides using a brush for details and a foam roller to smooth the finish.
- Introduce Paint and Tools. You can use the HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams Ovation Plus paint in 'Caviar'. Its acrylic-based formula is superior to latex or chalk paint for this application. Also note the brush and foam rollers you'll be using.
- Paint the Drawer Fronts. Apply paint to the detailed edges and grooves of the drawer fronts with a stiff-bristled brush. Immediately after, use a high-density foam roller to smooth out the paint on the flat surfaces, removing any brush strokes.
- Tip: Painting the drawers while they are still slightly pulled out of the dresser can help prevent dust and debris from settling on the wet paint.
- Paint the Dresser Frame. Using the same brush and roller technique, apply the first coat of paint to the sides and frame of the dresser.
Step 3: Apply Second Coat of Paint
After the first coat is dry, a second coat of paint is applied to the top of the dresser to ensure full, even coverage.
- Brush and Roll the Top Surface. Apply the second coat of paint to the top of the dresser. Work in sections, brushing the paint on and then immediately smoothing it with the foam roller. Work quickly to maintain a wet edge, blending each section into the next.
Step 4: Apply the Topcoat
A matte polyurethane topcoat is applied using an innovative 'wiping' method with a foam roller to avoid streaks and bubbles.
- Prepare and Apply Topcoat to Drawers. You can use Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane in a matte finish. Instead of rolling, dip the end of a foam roller into the poly and gently wipe it across the drawer front in long, continuous strokes from one side to the other.
- Common mistake: Rolling on a water-based topcoat can create bubbles and streaks, especially over dark paint.
- Apply Topcoat to the Dresser Top. The same wiping technique is used for the top of the dresser. After applying the topcoat with a brush, use the foam roller to wipe it smooth in long, straight lines, working from one end to the other and maintaining a wet edge.
- Tip: If you get drips or buildup on the edges, use a drier part of the foam roller to gently dab or wipe them away before they dry.
- Tip: Matte finishes are more forgiving of surface flaws and painting imperfections.
Step 5: Install New Hardware
The new modern wooden drawer pulls are unboxed and installed on the drawer fronts.
- Unbox and Attach New Pulls. Attach the new solid wood drawer pulls to the drawer fronts, completing the transformation of the dresser.