I found this unwanted and trashed chest of drawers on the Facebook Market place for a total cost of $0, yup it was totally free! I just had to drive 10 minutes to pick it up.
I think I got lucky because it had snowed a lot the day this lady posted it for free, so most people couldn’t go out to pick it up. Luckily I have a pickup truck with winter tires and had no issues going to get it.
Lets start by looking at what we are dealing with, then I will explain the process, and list all the materials used at the end.
Looking at the Damages and Issues
1. Tiny Holes
The top had a million tiny holes in the back corners and back middle. I believe these were push pins/thumbtacks, not termites or anything like that.
2. Flaky Layers of Paint
The paint was old and flaky, this was a cause for concern as I had to test to see if it was lead paint, but my tests came back negative and no lead was found. There was a layer of green, then blue, and a primer like material underneath.
3. Broken Top Left Drawer
The top left drawer was completely chipped/cracked off and need to be fixed.
4. Broken Bottom Drawer
The large drawer at the bottom did not close and was falling apart internally; this needed to be fixed entirely.
Fixing Holes and the Broken Drawer
- Mixing Bondo Filler with Bondo Hardener
- Bondo in a huge chip in side of chest
- Applying Bondo to fill in the missing piece of the drawer
When a piece of furniture has holes, chips, and even missing pieces you can use Bondo filler to patch these damages. Bondo is extremely durable and will leave your surface just as strong as the wood.
In this project, I am using Bondo because I am painting the base and drawers. Bondo doesn’t stain so if I were to restore this to wood, I would have to use a wood filler or replace the broken sections.
I applied bondo to the missing drawer section, a chip in the side, and a few holes throughout. I allowed it to dry before it was ready for sanding smooth.
At this time I also took apart the broken bottom drawer, reglued it, renailed it, and clamped it back together. This helped the drawer properly fit once again.
How to Remove Flaky Paint on Furniture
First, I had to remove the flaky paint because it would be an issue with the new paint I will be adding to the base and because I am staining the top.
To remove the flaky paint I used a carbide paint scraper that simply scraped away the paint nicely. It still was a lot of work to remove as much paint as I could, but thankfully I had the carbide scraper in my toolbox.
On the top I completely removed all the paint because I was applying stain and a paint wash later on. The tiny holes made paint removal almost impossible… So I tested the paint stripper on top to remove the paint in the holes, but it didn’t work that well.
Then I used a scraper/pick tool to remove as mush as I could, but that didn’t work great either. So I decided to add stainable wood filler in the holes to cover the paint and create a smooth surface.
Sanding the Entire Piece Smooth
After removing the paint, it was time to sand things smooth with my random orbital sander. I started with a 150-grit sanding disc and finished everything smooth with 240-grit sandpaper. Some areas were sanded by hand with 400 grit to ensure no bumps underneath the paint would be visible.
How I Applied the Primer
Using a roller to apply primer to furniture is a quick and straightforward option. I mixed up some Dixie Belle BOSS primer and the Ash Fusion Mineral paint I will be using. I mixed them because I am painting the piece dark grey, almost black, so using a white primer is a no-no.
If you use white primer under black paint, any minor dings will be noticeable, and I recommend avoiding it at all costs.
I mixed the primer and paint in a paint tray and rolled it on the base of the chest and all of the drawers. I used a brush to get into the hard-to-reach corners where the roller could not go.
I applied 2 coats of primer to this project.
How to Use a Cordless Paint Sprayer to Paint Furniture
I used a cordless paint sprayer, the SnapFresh paint sprayer, in this project to achieve a smooth painted finish.
In my video, I explain the entire process of how I use the paint sprayer and the settings and answer all you need to know, so make sure to check it out.
In short, I started by thinning the paint with water, testing the sprayer on a test area, and then spraying my project. I taped up the top area as I was not painting the top.
I applied 2 coats of paint with the sprayer, allowing time to dry between coats.
Applying Stain and Paint Wash to the Top
After painting, it was time to stain the top. I started with a Dixie Belle water-based stain similar in color to the paint, but this didn’t look how I wanted.
I decided a paint wash was the way to go to help cover the imperfections on the top. I had my paint in one container and water in the other; I would dip my paintbrush into the paint and then the water, then on the top surface.
After the wash was applied, I used a rag to wipe it off the surface. I did multiple coats of paint wash on the top wood area.
How I Sprayed Water-Based Poly with the Cordless Paint Sprayer
I chose water-based polyurethane to protect this piece. I have been spraying furniture with WB poly for a while now, I prefer this when sealing painted furniture.
Using a cordless sprayer during water-based poly is amazing. You don’t have to worry about the cord hitting your fresh polyurethane, the process is much easier.
I mixed 10% water into my poly, which made it spray nicely. However, since it’s thinner, you need to make sure you spray quickly to avoid drips down your piece.
I also mixed a tiny bit of paint in my poly to prevent any cloudy finishes as it dries, I have been doing this with all my painted projects for years!
I applied 2 coats of water-based poly to this chest of drawers.
The Final Reveal
After all the hard work is over, I attached my new hardware, and this piece is ready to go up for sale. Here is how it turned out:
Watch the Video Process
Materials Used in this Project
SnapFresh Cordless Paint Sprayer
SnapFresh Cordless Impact Drill
I’ve learned so much from your projects. The finished piece always looks great. But it’s when you make a change in direction because of unexpected results, I find especially informational. Also, I live rural now and we are very limited on refinishing supplies (but not junk furniture). New and/or better products tend to remain obscure in our immediate area so when you mention or try new products and give your results, opinion or recommendations of a product that is invaluable to me! So, when I take my list to the closest available source- nearly an hour away- I can look for that product. I also rely on you to stay up to date on decorative refinishing trends. Thank you and I’m glad to know you, Madrona
Hi Madrona,
Thanks so much for your kind words! I’m really glad to hear my projects are helpful, especially with finding new products for your projects. Your support means a lot to me. Thanks again!
Jamie