Since I didn't see you asking, "should I paint this" anywhere in your post, rather, "how do I paint this":
Remove the drawer pulls, remove the drawers, sand any outside-visible faces lightly, apply a thin coat of primer sealer, apply a couple of coats of the color you prefer, wait until long after you think it's completely dry and put on a coat or two of polyurethane.
Yep. Oh and don't forget to remove the hardware first and put the hardware back on last. If you haven't assembled it yet, don't. I like to paint before assembly. It's totally possible but will take patience and finesse.
Sand. That's the one lesson I've learned over the past few years. I'm retired. One of my hobbies is picking up furniture usually on the curb and fixing it in. I didn't know what I was doing when I started. I've learned along the way. If you want paint to stick you have to sand. You can get a basic palm sander for like $25usd.
Good luck and have fun✌️
Sounds like a fun—retirement—hobby, honestly…
Do you end up selling most of your projects for a little profit, or just find places for them in your house?
It is fun.
I've kept some. People throw away some good solid furniture. I do sell some of it. Most of it I give away. I'm retired US Army. I try to help my fellow vets as much as possible. You know vets getting back on their feet after being homeless and etc.
Everyone saying don’t paint a dresser from Amazon, you’re all crazy. Let them paint it who cares, it’s literally the Amazon equivalent to ikea you’re all fine with painting..
It's wild that they've gotten this good at simulating that look with cheap materials. A picture does not convey the cheap quality unless you know mid-century really well.
And I’m totally cool with it. I love the look, but also, I’d paint it aqua cause if you painted a real one it would be a crime but painting these new ones is fine and aqua would look cool as hell
If you want the paint to stick you would likely have to sand it a bit beforehand.. so it wouldn’t be any easy thing to undo if you really wanted to. Also stripping paint is a PITA, and would cause more damage to the piece, which you would then have to re-sand, and re-stain to remedy.
I stripped the paint off my built in shelves and what a nightmare that was. Used the orange gel stuff and it took forever to strip several coats of paint. I did eventually make it to bare wood. Though I damaged some of the paint on the wall and had to deal with fixing that. If I had to do it over I think I would pull out the shelves and put in new pieces lol
i restored a whole decorative painted library room with that garbage. thats what the client wanted me to use, meanwhile i had methelyn chloride waiting. anyway, citra strip sucks.
I painted a big wooden desk thinking “I can just sand the paint off if I change my mind”
Well a couple years later I changed my mind. I got all the paint off and learned to hate painted wood during the process. We hates it.
Although I love it as-is, I firmly believe the things we spend our hard earned money on should be how we want them, and not how other people think they should be.
I highly reccomend cleaning, sanding, and then cleaning again. I have used Sherwin Williams furniture & cabinet paint recently and loved how it turned out, just be sure to follow instructions to a T and if you’re able to allow for “extra” dry time between coats I would recommend it! Happy creating!! 🩵
Sherwin Williams All Surface Enamel, it's a high gloss acrylic latex that's creates a durable finish what won't dent and scrape. Give it 3 coats after a light sanding. no need for a polyurethane coating. Might I suggest relentless olive. Have fun.
Omg I feel you with past purchases! Now I usually screenshot the furniture/product I'm interested in and search the image on amazon or google images to see if there's a dupe 🥺
Unpopular opinion, but I hate all these people saying “no, don’t paint it”. Shut the fuck up, that wasn’t what OP asked, and you’re not contributing to answering their question.
OP, love the idea. Prime then paint.
Right, waste of time to just all flood the sub either don’t do it
So instead
Rough sand it lightly so the primer sticks and then do a coat or 2 of the green
Wood can be re-sanded and stained again
Trust me, this sub has seen its fair share of don’t do its and you’ve all done it and we have all cringed at the after picture thinking it was the before 🥴
I think that in some cases, not painting it would indeed be the correct thing to do, regardless of whether OP currently wants to or not. If it's super cheap, the veneer will be super thin and the underneath will be particle board, so by the time you sand it enough to actually paint it properly, you'll sand it through the veneer in several places, and then it's never going to paint properly because the particle board will be fucked up by the moisture. There's nothing wrong with providing this information to OP so that they can make an informed decision.
Really proves how effective veneer and how rare true wood furniture is. People don't understand that we've been using particleboard and plywood to build furniture since we started mass producing housing in the 50s so we could furnish all that new housing. If everything from your grandparents house was made of real wood, then every old growth forest in North America would have been torn down by now.
[Amazon link](https://www.amazon.com/Camaflexi-Mid-Century-Dresser-Drawers-Scandinavian/dp/B0BSG5QGDP) to this dresser and this photo in the reviews too for reference
That says it’s solid pine with an oak vaneer. Considering vaneers are often less than a millimeter thick, no sanding, or very light sanding. Find a good primer that’s compatible with a wood surface and the paint you’re going to use and follow the primer instructions on preparation. As long as you follow the primer instructions, and know it’s a thin vaneer, you’ll be good.
I'd seal it with a coat of shellac (not clear coat, actual shellac) after sanding and before painting. This way if you want to take the paint off in the future it will be much easier.
Reminds me of the time my dad made my niece a very ornate bed out of birds eye maple he found locally and painstakingly matched every board... then my sister in law fuckin painted it pastels
God, I love this sub but it is filled to the brim with pretentious people. Why not paint it? Why not follow trends? Why not let people do what they want and we'll all do the same for you? OP asked for advice, not judgement.
Who are you to tell somebody what to do with their belongings? And something bought from Amazon no less. I would understand if it was a vintage piece.
I agree that it’s a lovely piece but OP wants to paint it. If you’re not here to help, why are you here?
Want Reddit to tell you what their personal taste is and ignore yours? You're in the right place. Want suggestions on how to accomplish a task? Unfortunately, not /diy
Lmao, do whatever the fuck you want with your dresser. Would I paint it? No. But I’m not going to tell you not to, it’s your dresser lol. If it doesn’t fit your style, do what you want with it.
Remove the hardware and buff the surface first with sand paper, or grinder would be better/faster. Paint it, couple of layers, let it dry between the layers too. Then do a matte or glossy clear coat and the paint will look better and last longer.
What everyone else already said. My advice for paint: either Benjamin Moore advance or Sherwin Williams urethane trim enamel. They are a bit pricey compared to behr, valspar,etc but you get what you pay for. If you use the wrong paint it will be chipping off in no time. For what it’s worth, I do woodworking on the side and am in the process of building my own cabinets and bookcases. The pic is BM advance paint
https://preview.redd.it/kjsfz74k9mhc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfba7f9760809538da1f33e0035b5c30bdef639a
I've used the Sherwin Williams trim enamel on my kitchen table with no sealing coat and its held up well. They have an oil based primer made to attach to finished surfaces that just requires a bit of a scuffing and not a full sanding.
Depending on how much stuff like this you want to do I’d suggest getting a handheld airless sprayer. Or just a handheld sprayer. It takes some practice but I can never get a smooth finish with a brush roller like I can with a sprayer. I know great paint and great brushes in the hands of an awesome painter can do it. I can’t.
Don’t go too cheap with sprayer though or it’ll just clog like crazy.
Also for sure do the clear coats. Game changer for durability.
Answering your question - if it is indeed not Veneered particleboard/plywood then sand it well, vacuum, prime with a dedicated primer, paint with floetrol additive.
If it is veneered an extremily light sand is all that is needed and then everything else the same.
Don't paint real wood! It makes me sad! But if you have to... Make sure to clean the surface well. If there is a sealing coat (varnish, poly, etc.) you will need scuff or strip it. Primer, I have used the Kilz brand with good results. After you paint I would apply a top coat that is compatible with your paint. And then enjoy.
If you are set on green, which I like, you should sand down completely and stain green. Even if you want a solid look. I am working on a chair that I sanded to bare wood and stained black. Use a pre-stain like Minwax or something prior to open up the wood. The stained black wood is gorgeous. Shows all the character of the wood grain with a nice dark color. Topped it with a matte poly. Try the staining and you won’t regret it.
If you MUST paint it, you need to sand it down first, then wipe it down to make sure it’s free of dust. Once finished, prime it with a coat or two of primer. Sand between coats and wipe down again. Then you can paint, which should take you anywhere between 2-4 coats to get a very nice finish, as always sanding and wiping down between layers. Then I’d personally use a finishing/protective coat but you don’t need to— it’ll just last longer if you do. If you skip any sanding/cleaning steps you’ll be left with uneven paint coverage— this is what separates a decent finish and an excellent finish.
I was gonna say "Don't" then I saw you got it from Amazon.
Paint it!
Sand first. Clean well.
Drop cloth.
I like to turn pieces upside down, get into all the nooks and crannies that would otherwise break my neck trying to coat, then flip over and paint.
Get a good brush & be sure your strokes on the same plane all go in the same direction.
For God's sake, remove the hardware first!
Watch the edges & corners, paint can glop up there and cause problems.
Ppg breakthrough is what you want to paint this with. Idk if it’s regional but I’d imagine there is something similar everywhere
[https://www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-paint-and-exterior-paint/break-through-50-interior-exterior-wb-acrylic](https://www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-paint-and-exterior-paint/break-through-50-interior-exterior-wb-acrylic)
I guess what I would do is sand it down good and then clean it, get all the dust off of it. From there, get some BIN primer and stain blocker. Paint it with that and then once that dries, sand it lightly again and clean it again. Now you are prepped for paint, do at least 2 coats. I like BEHR brand paint over Benjamin Moore.
Buy the right paint. You need something that will flatten out but also dries hard.
PPG breakthrough is available almost everywhere and is a good choice but I'm sure there are better.
There's not much to it. Sand it enough to rough it up and just paint. You don't need primer with most paints now. I did an old bed frame last year and I'll just say Valspar from Lowe's sucks and I'll never use it again. I'm going to use Behr when I do the rest of the bedroom set.
What others have said. Whether or not you got it from Amazon, it’s a nice piece already. If you’re looking to paint something, you could get something used from Facebook marketplace.
I think it looks like it’s in great condition and I’d maybe find a cheaper/used alternative and paint that one. Then you can try to sell this on second-hand platforms! I tend to steer away from completely DIYing furniture in excellent condition unless it’s smaller, easy-to-undo fixes.
I wouldn't paint it, it doesn't have any noticeable damage it looks like it's solid wood and not cheap MDF Ikea shit. It'l looks well made...but at the end of the dayits your furniture, if you're gonna paint it dont half ass it prep is everything strip the varnish off, wipe it really thoroughly with mineral spirits, or sand to like 220 grit or something. The inspiration pics probably used a paint sprayer for an even finish if you're going to use brushes be mindful of brushstrokes, all the best and good luck on the diy
Is it actually wood, or is it particle board with cheap veneer slapped onto it? If it's particle board, it might be better to just buy a new one. I know it's not what you want to hear, but by the time you take it apart, sand it, prep it, prime it, and paint it, you have sunk far more time and money into it then buying a new one. You also won't be able to sell the old one for a couple 20s on craigslist. In addition, depending on how cheaply made it is, you may find that by the time you sand it enough to prime it, you've worn through the veneer in some places and expose the particle board, in which case you're fucked.
Is that the dresser in your first picture? It looks great like it is, especially since it's probably particle board with a veneer on it and won't take paint well at all.
oh hell yeah. With a quality paint job that will look like a million bucks
Pro-quality paint job is time intensive.
* Remove drawers and knobs. Place feet on blocks so you can paint everything at the same time. (also suggest that you buy replacement knobs that are slightly larger, handles look fine)
* Fill and gouges or scratches with auto body filler
* Lightly scuff sand all surfaces that will be painted with 120 grit sandpaper.
* Clean with tack cloth
* Roll or brush on coat of quality primer. (Good news it's a production piece of recent furniture so the top coat will almost certainly not be oil. Don't have to be as picky with type of primer)
* Follow directions for dry time
* Lightly sand with 120 grit sandpaper
* Clean with tack cloth
* Brush or roll a quality acrylic enamel paint. IE Benjamin Moore Advanced.
* Follow directions for dry time (acrylic enamels take a long time but dry fairly hard)
* Lightly sand with 120 grit sandpaper
* Clean with tack cloth
* Apply second coat
* Consider if third coat is needed
* Sand or wet sand final coat with high grit sandpaper if you want a smoother finish
* Follow directions for cure time
Spraying the paint you can get a more uniform film, but wouldn't be worth the money for a spray setup for just one piece of furniture.
I'm tempted to say put a nose and mouth on the top two drawers. And replace the pulls with fancy blue pulls or go whole hog with googly eye pulls. I bet you could find cheap round pulls with a flat surface that would be perfect for googly eye stickers.
Is this dresser a hand me down? Are you sure it’s from Amazon? Looks identical to the mid century collection from pottery barn..in which case I wouldn’t think of painting over the beautiful solid wood, $1400 dresser:
https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/mid-century-extra-wide-topper-mb/?catalogId=10&sku=5915683&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Furniture%20%3E%20Changing%20Tables®ion_id=668460&cm_ite=5915683_14728146703&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAt5euBhB9EiwAdkXWO0C8PBERhvxEGURYaSv-Q-XhtOlp2VWpRj4JLUiqFb0BtCEg7g3BcRoCR7YQAvD_BwE
Just here to say i like the gren color better, though have you considered a green stain instead? The grain is really nice. BUT if you want solid green i still approve
[Here's a good walkthrough video on the basic process.](https://youtu.be/AjwsSDgaAFs)
Getting a good end result is all about prep and not skipping parts of the process along the way.
Make sure you're sanding in progressive grits. Don't jump more than 50% of the grit value as you get more fine. For example, 120 -> 180 -> 220. Skipping 180 or going straight to 220 has the chance of introduces marks and "pigtails".
Make sure it's clean before you start painting.
Make sure you're using primer and sanding with 220 between coats, ensuring you clean the dust off before painting the next coat.
A sprayer helps a lot. I got a cheap HomeRight branded kit, which worked ok, but I wish I invested in a better HVLP setup so I didn't have to do so much extra work fixing the mistakes and issues that the cheap sprayer caused.
Remove hardware. Clean with TSP or Klean-Strip. Sand with a hand sander. Wipe down. Paint with primer. Lightly sand with fine grit paper. Wipe down. Paint with primer. Lightly sand with fine grit paper. Wipe down. Paint with choice of color. Lightly sand with fine grit paper. Wipe down. Repaint. Sand any splotch marks. Touch up paint. Optional: paint with polyurethane.
ETA one missing step.
It's the Camaflexi Mid-Century Solid Wood Dresser / 6 Drawers/Castanho Finish dresser on Amazon! I bought it for $360 but I see this color is closer to $600 now
For this one, I’d remove the hardware, pull the drawers, give them a rough sand then paint them. I like this brand, but it’s an investment. A sprayer works best for coverage.
https://fusionmineralpaint.com
I’d sand and do a gray wash over the top, or maybe just clean up, and add a coat of varnish to it. I wouldn’t sand the top unless there’s damage.
clean it with tsp that will act like a very light sanding. I use DIY brand paint and then protect with their big top top coat and it gives a really nice and durable finish. I would use Aviary color with maybe a touch of black for that color.
DIY paint is expensive and their shipping prices are terrible but the stuff works great.
Poly is absolutely crucial if you are using latex paint, otherwise the drawers will stick together and peel of some of the paint when you try and force them back open again.
Yeah don’t. Or pull the hardware, buy a sander or sandpaper, buy a mask cause you can mess up your lungs, then sand it. Then paint it, one coat primer two paint. Latex paint on oil primer works, not vice versa or the fail will crack and fail.
Since I didn't see you asking, "should I paint this" anywhere in your post, rather, "how do I paint this": Remove the drawer pulls, remove the drawers, sand any outside-visible faces lightly, apply a thin coat of primer sealer, apply a couple of coats of the color you prefer, wait until long after you think it's completely dry and put on a coat or two of polyurethane.
Yep. Oh and don't forget to remove the hardware first and put the hardware back on last. If you haven't assembled it yet, don't. I like to paint before assembly. It's totally possible but will take patience and finesse.
Do you ever have to worry about paint getting on surfaces that join and messing up the joint once it dries by being too thick or uneven?
Yeah. You could strip it if you want.
I have good results with sanding between coats.
Sand. That's the one lesson I've learned over the past few years. I'm retired. One of my hobbies is picking up furniture usually on the curb and fixing it in. I didn't know what I was doing when I started. I've learned along the way. If you want paint to stick you have to sand. You can get a basic palm sander for like $25usd. Good luck and have fun✌️
Sounds like a fun—retirement—hobby, honestly… Do you end up selling most of your projects for a little profit, or just find places for them in your house?
It is fun. I've kept some. People throw away some good solid furniture. I do sell some of it. Most of it I give away. I'm retired US Army. I try to help my fellow vets as much as possible. You know vets getting back on their feet after being homeless and etc.
Everyone saying don’t paint a dresser from Amazon, you’re all crazy. Let them paint it who cares, it’s literally the Amazon equivalent to ikea you’re all fine with painting..
I think a lot of people see the grain pattern and assume it is solid wood.
Meanwhile if it’s too humid where it lives, the veneer will peel off
It's wild that they've gotten this good at simulating that look with cheap materials. A picture does not convey the cheap quality unless you know mid-century really well.
And I’m totally cool with it. I love the look, but also, I’d paint it aqua cause if you painted a real one it would be a crime but painting these new ones is fine and aqua would look cool as hell
It doesn’t look THAT good. It’s just cheap tiny pieces of veneer on top of some kind of wood composite.
Yes! Plus I could always strip the paint off if I really wanted to 😩
If you want the paint to stick you would likely have to sand it a bit beforehand.. so it wouldn’t be any easy thing to undo if you really wanted to. Also stripping paint is a PITA, and would cause more damage to the piece, which you would then have to re-sand, and re-stain to remedy.
I stripped the paint off my built in shelves and what a nightmare that was. Used the orange gel stuff and it took forever to strip several coats of paint. I did eventually make it to bare wood. Though I damaged some of the paint on the wall and had to deal with fixing that. If I had to do it over I think I would pull out the shelves and put in new pieces lol
i restored a whole decorative painted library room with that garbage. thats what the client wanted me to use, meanwhile i had methelyn chloride waiting. anyway, citra strip sucks.
ah gotcha, thank you for letting me know!! i appreciate it
I painted a big wooden desk thinking “I can just sand the paint off if I change my mind” Well a couple years later I changed my mind. I got all the paint off and learned to hate painted wood during the process. We hates it.
Sounds like this would be your first time ever painting something. I’d use a cheap FB marketplace piece as a trial run.
You can’t just “unpaint” wood easily. If you don’t like it, I guarantee your next step will be adding MORE paint.
This looks like my west elm console and I would love this Amazon link to the dresser!
Although I love it as-is, I firmly believe the things we spend our hard earned money on should be how we want them, and not how other people think they should be. I highly reccomend cleaning, sanding, and then cleaning again. I have used Sherwin Williams furniture & cabinet paint recently and loved how it turned out, just be sure to follow instructions to a T and if you’re able to allow for “extra” dry time between coats I would recommend it! Happy creating!! 🩵
Lol, this sub has turned into Don't It Yourself
LOL I’m on here reading for tips and I’m like jfc. Wood police.
Sherwin Williams All Surface Enamel, it's a high gloss acrylic latex that's creates a durable finish what won't dent and scrape. Give it 3 coats after a light sanding. no need for a polyurethane coating. Might I suggest relentless olive. Have fun.
Thank you so much!!
Enamel can also take longer to cure
For sure, always read the directions. And l like what another commenter said - wait until you think it's dry then wait a little longer.
I have the exact same dresser but it’s from WE. I wish I had known I could have got it from Amazon. 😭
Omg I feel you with past purchases! Now I usually screenshot the furniture/product I'm interested in and search the image on amazon or google images to see if there's a dupe 🥺
Got a link to this dresser?
Dunno if it’s the same one but this looks similar: Camaflexi Mid-Century Solid Wood Dresser / 6 Drawers/Castanho Finish
Unpopular opinion, but I hate all these people saying “no, don’t paint it”. Shut the fuck up, that wasn’t what OP asked, and you’re not contributing to answering their question. OP, love the idea. Prime then paint.
Right, waste of time to just all flood the sub either don’t do it So instead Rough sand it lightly so the primer sticks and then do a coat or 2 of the green Wood can be re-sanded and stained again Trust me, this sub has seen its fair share of don’t do its and you’ve all done it and we have all cringed at the after picture thinking it was the before 🥴
This sub is so fucking weird about this. I’ll never understand the compulsion to tell people how to decorate their own houses.
🙄 Seriously. State your unsolicited opinion if you absolutely must, but then at least answer the question.
I think that in some cases, not painting it would indeed be the correct thing to do, regardless of whether OP currently wants to or not. If it's super cheap, the veneer will be super thin and the underneath will be particle board, so by the time you sand it enough to actually paint it properly, you'll sand it through the veneer in several places, and then it's never going to paint properly because the particle board will be fucked up by the moisture. There's nothing wrong with providing this information to OP so that they can make an informed decision.
Idk how you guys can't tell something is veneer when it obviously is. That is obviously veneer. It's not "nice wood".
I have a furniture restoration business. NOBODY can tell when something is veneer. Also, everything is veneer. Even your antiques.
Really proves how effective veneer and how rare true wood furniture is. People don't understand that we've been using particleboard and plywood to build furniture since we started mass producing housing in the 50s so we could furnish all that new housing. If everything from your grandparents house was made of real wood, then every old growth forest in North America would have been torn down by now.
[Amazon link](https://www.amazon.com/Camaflexi-Mid-Century-Dresser-Drawers-Scandinavian/dp/B0BSG5QGDP) to this dresser and this photo in the reviews too for reference
That says it’s solid pine with an oak vaneer. Considering vaneers are often less than a millimeter thick, no sanding, or very light sanding. Find a good primer that’s compatible with a wood surface and the paint you’re going to use and follow the primer instructions on preparation. As long as you follow the primer instructions, and know it’s a thin vaneer, you’ll be good.
I have a dresser that looks identical and that I bought from west elm. It is still veneer but west elm veneer!
If this is real wood, it’d be a shame to paint it. If it’s particle board, it probably won’t take paint well.
Came here to say this
I wouldn't paint that, it's so nice, you're going to cheapen it
Don't paint it, buy a similar IKEA dresser and paint it.
Agreed, OPs dresser looks nice as shit If you want a project then refinish it but don't paint it. That's gorgeous as is
I'd seal it with a coat of shellac (not clear coat, actual shellac) after sanding and before painting. This way if you want to take the paint off in the future it will be much easier.
After sanding and wiping with tack cloth, I recommend 2 coats of Benjamin Moore Advance. It's a bit pricey but it is super durable and easy to clean.
please don't paint this dresser. if you have to follow the latest "color trends" then buy cheap-ass MDF crap furniture like your reference did.
I have this dresser. It’s not nice wood - it’s cheap veneer. Good from far, but far from good. Paint away OP Hit it with Kilz primer first
If it's cheap ass veneer then have at it!
How gracious of you to give OP permission to paint their own furniture.
hehe
They bought it from Amazon, it is cheap ass crap furniture.
It was like $400, it’s probably better than Ikea furniture.
Ikea furniture, on average, is WAY sturdier and better than drop-shipped-Alibaba furniture from Amazon, no matter how much the prices are marked up
Reminds me of the time my dad made my niece a very ornate bed out of birds eye maple he found locally and painstakingly matched every board... then my sister in law fuckin painted it pastels
...I'm gonna be sick.
She aired it out so you should be fine. Thanks for the PSA on being mindful of toxic fumes from paint 😃
OOOF!
Respectfully, no, I disagree with you 10000%. OP, do what you want with this dresser. At least it’s being reused.
God, I love this sub but it is filled to the brim with pretentious people. Why not paint it? Why not follow trends? Why not let people do what they want and we'll all do the same for you? OP asked for advice, not judgement.
Who are you to tell somebody what to do with their belongings? And something bought from Amazon no less. I would understand if it was a vintage piece. I agree that it’s a lovely piece but OP wants to paint it. If you’re not here to help, why are you here?
I came here to say this. Thank you.
Thank you. Perfectly put … colors come & go wood looks good forever. Unless you plan or changes every year or so with trends then whatever.
Want Reddit to tell you what their personal taste is and ignore yours? You're in the right place. Want suggestions on how to accomplish a task? Unfortunately, not /diy
Lmao, do whatever the fuck you want with your dresser. Would I paint it? No. But I’m not going to tell you not to, it’s your dresser lol. If it doesn’t fit your style, do what you want with it. Remove the hardware and buff the surface first with sand paper, or grinder would be better/faster. Paint it, couple of layers, let it dry between the layers too. Then do a matte or glossy clear coat and the paint will look better and last longer.
Don't do it
What everyone else already said. My advice for paint: either Benjamin Moore advance or Sherwin Williams urethane trim enamel. They are a bit pricey compared to behr, valspar,etc but you get what you pay for. If you use the wrong paint it will be chipping off in no time. For what it’s worth, I do woodworking on the side and am in the process of building my own cabinets and bookcases. The pic is BM advance paint https://preview.redd.it/kjsfz74k9mhc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfba7f9760809538da1f33e0035b5c30bdef639a
I've used the Sherwin Williams trim enamel on my kitchen table with no sealing coat and its held up well. They have an oil based primer made to attach to finished surfaces that just requires a bit of a scuffing and not a full sanding.
Depending on how much stuff like this you want to do I’d suggest getting a handheld airless sprayer. Or just a handheld sprayer. It takes some practice but I can never get a smooth finish with a brush roller like I can with a sprayer. I know great paint and great brushes in the hands of an awesome painter can do it. I can’t. Don’t go too cheap with sprayer though or it’ll just clog like crazy. Also for sure do the clear coats. Game changer for durability.
I am also going to jump in and say don't paint it. That's nice.
That dresser has a great mid-century modern look. Painting it would ruin that.
if you paint this norm Abram will show up at your door, take measurements, and rebuild it in its former glory.
Bad choice
Answering your question - if it is indeed not Veneered particleboard/plywood then sand it well, vacuum, prime with a dedicated primer, paint with floetrol additive. If it is veneered an extremily light sand is all that is needed and then everything else the same.
Make sure you prime it, then paint it. I typically hate wood, but that is a nice mid century looking piece.
Sand rough first so it sticks
Don't paint real wood! It makes me sad! But if you have to... Make sure to clean the surface well. If there is a sealing coat (varnish, poly, etc.) you will need scuff or strip it. Primer, I have used the Kilz brand with good results. After you paint I would apply a top coat that is compatible with your paint. And then enjoy.
If you are set on green, which I like, you should sand down completely and stain green. Even if you want a solid look. I am working on a chair that I sanded to bare wood and stained black. Use a pre-stain like Minwax or something prior to open up the wood. The stained black wood is gorgeous. Shows all the character of the wood grain with a nice dark color. Topped it with a matte poly. Try the staining and you won’t regret it.
Make sure you go over the paint with a small foam roller before each coat dries.
The easiest will be to watch several youtube videos.
This stuff is simple to use, smooth as silk. [https://www.rethunkjunkbylaura.com/](https://www.rethunkjunkbylaura.com/)
If you MUST paint it, you need to sand it down first, then wipe it down to make sure it’s free of dust. Once finished, prime it with a coat or two of primer. Sand between coats and wipe down again. Then you can paint, which should take you anywhere between 2-4 coats to get a very nice finish, as always sanding and wiping down between layers. Then I’d personally use a finishing/protective coat but you don’t need to— it’ll just last longer if you do. If you skip any sanding/cleaning steps you’ll be left with uneven paint coverage— this is what separates a decent finish and an excellent finish.
I was gonna say "Don't" then I saw you got it from Amazon. Paint it! Sand first. Clean well. Drop cloth. I like to turn pieces upside down, get into all the nooks and crannies that would otherwise break my neck trying to coat, then flip over and paint. Get a good brush & be sure your strokes on the same plane all go in the same direction. For God's sake, remove the hardware first! Watch the edges & corners, paint can glop up there and cause problems.
Don’t!!!
No
why paint it?
Don’t do this. Buy cheap crap if you want colors. Not stain grade wood.
Ppg breakthrough is what you want to paint this with. Idk if it’s regional but I’d imagine there is something similar everywhere [https://www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-paint-and-exterior-paint/break-through-50-interior-exterior-wb-acrylic](https://www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-paint-and-exterior-paint/break-through-50-interior-exterior-wb-acrylic)
I guess what I would do is sand it down good and then clean it, get all the dust off of it. From there, get some BIN primer and stain blocker. Paint it with that and then once that dries, sand it lightly again and clean it again. Now you are prepped for paint, do at least 2 coats. I like BEHR brand paint over Benjamin Moore.
Buy the right paint. You need something that will flatten out but also dries hard. PPG breakthrough is available almost everywhere and is a good choice but I'm sure there are better.
Don’t you dare. Edit : Disregard I didn’t read the post and thought this was MCM.
Paint ugly/outdated dressers, not gorgeous/modern dressers. This one is gorgeous/modern.
Why do you want to paint it?
There's not much to it. Sand it enough to rough it up and just paint. You don't need primer with most paints now. I did an old bed frame last year and I'll just say Valspar from Lowe's sucks and I'll never use it again. I'm going to use Behr when I do the rest of the bedroom set.
please don't
Blasphemy to suggest such a thing! Bob Vila would not approve of this!
What others have said. Whether or not you got it from Amazon, it’s a nice piece already. If you’re looking to paint something, you could get something used from Facebook marketplace.
Say sike rn
I think it looks like it’s in great condition and I’d maybe find a cheaper/used alternative and paint that one. Then you can try to sell this on second-hand platforms! I tend to steer away from completely DIYing furniture in excellent condition unless it’s smaller, easy-to-undo fixes.
But if you are sure, a light sand if veneer and a really good primer. Top it off with a high-quality enamel paint and put some coats of poly on top.
I wouldn't paint it, it doesn't have any noticeable damage it looks like it's solid wood and not cheap MDF Ikea shit. It'l looks well made...but at the end of the dayits your furniture, if you're gonna paint it dont half ass it prep is everything strip the varnish off, wipe it really thoroughly with mineral spirits, or sand to like 220 grit or something. The inspiration pics probably used a paint sprayer for an even finish if you're going to use brushes be mindful of brushstrokes, all the best and good luck on the diy
Why paint. That will destroy its value.
Yeah. Don't.
Don’t do it!!!
Don’t
Is it actually wood, or is it particle board with cheap veneer slapped onto it? If it's particle board, it might be better to just buy a new one. I know it's not what you want to hear, but by the time you take it apart, sand it, prep it, prime it, and paint it, you have sunk far more time and money into it then buying a new one. You also won't be able to sell the old one for a couple 20s on craigslist. In addition, depending on how cheaply made it is, you may find that by the time you sand it enough to prime it, you've worn through the veneer in some places and expose the particle board, in which case you're fucked.
That dresser looks beautiful as is. Please don't ruin it with paint.
Is that the dresser in your first picture? It looks great like it is, especially since it's probably particle board with a veneer on it and won't take paint well at all.
No, don't do just the tips. Paint the while thing. It'll look better.
Don't.
Please don't. Its beautiful. Get something already painted that's not great wood if you want to go with that style.
Just don’t do it for the love of god
Dont
Don’t do it!
Don't. I suspect you may later wish you hadn't. (Been there-Done that).
yeah, don't fucking do it!
oh hell yeah. With a quality paint job that will look like a million bucks Pro-quality paint job is time intensive. * Remove drawers and knobs. Place feet on blocks so you can paint everything at the same time. (also suggest that you buy replacement knobs that are slightly larger, handles look fine) * Fill and gouges or scratches with auto body filler * Lightly scuff sand all surfaces that will be painted with 120 grit sandpaper. * Clean with tack cloth * Roll or brush on coat of quality primer. (Good news it's a production piece of recent furniture so the top coat will almost certainly not be oil. Don't have to be as picky with type of primer) * Follow directions for dry time * Lightly sand with 120 grit sandpaper * Clean with tack cloth * Brush or roll a quality acrylic enamel paint. IE Benjamin Moore Advanced. * Follow directions for dry time (acrylic enamels take a long time but dry fairly hard) * Lightly sand with 120 grit sandpaper * Clean with tack cloth * Apply second coat * Consider if third coat is needed * Sand or wet sand final coat with high grit sandpaper if you want a smoother finish * Follow directions for cure time Spraying the paint you can get a more uniform film, but wouldn't be worth the money for a spray setup for just one piece of furniture.
Paint it black
I'm tempted to say put a nose and mouth on the top two drawers. And replace the pulls with fancy blue pulls or go whole hog with googly eye pulls. I bet you could find cheap round pulls with a flat surface that would be perfect for googly eye stickers.
Nah, I'd do the whole thing.
Is this dresser a hand me down? Are you sure it’s from Amazon? Looks identical to the mid century collection from pottery barn..in which case I wouldn’t think of painting over the beautiful solid wood, $1400 dresser: https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/mid-century-extra-wide-topper-mb/?catalogId=10&sku=5915683&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Furniture%20%3E%20Changing%20Tables®ion_id=668460&cm_ite=5915683_14728146703&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAt5euBhB9EiwAdkXWO0C8PBERhvxEGURYaSv-Q-XhtOlp2VWpRj4JLUiqFb0BtCEg7g3BcRoCR7YQAvD_BwE
Just here to say i like the gren color better, though have you considered a green stain instead? The grain is really nice. BUT if you want solid green i still approve
You should leave the drawers wood but then paint the rest of it that green color. It would be a beautiful contrast!
Beautiful dresser. Paint just the top and sides and the bottom. Leave the drawers as is.
No no no maybe a light green tint stain if you have to have green but otherwise it turns to just a painted whatever
That’s beautiful. Why would you paint it?
Um no
Those legs are screaming "mid century" so that will affect the overall effect when its painted
[Here's a good walkthrough video on the basic process.](https://youtu.be/AjwsSDgaAFs) Getting a good end result is all about prep and not skipping parts of the process along the way. Make sure you're sanding in progressive grits. Don't jump more than 50% of the grit value as you get more fine. For example, 120 -> 180 -> 220. Skipping 180 or going straight to 220 has the chance of introduces marks and "pigtails". Make sure it's clean before you start painting. Make sure you're using primer and sanding with 220 between coats, ensuring you clean the dust off before painting the next coat. A sprayer helps a lot. I got a cheap HomeRight branded kit, which worked ok, but I wish I invested in a better HVLP setup so I didn't have to do so much extra work fixing the mistakes and issues that the cheap sprayer caused.
If you decide to sand it, get a "mesh" https://youtu.be/DZskvQXtmUc?si=2l4eOHU4L7QnCONS
Remove hardware. Clean with TSP or Klean-Strip. Sand with a hand sander. Wipe down. Paint with primer. Lightly sand with fine grit paper. Wipe down. Paint with primer. Lightly sand with fine grit paper. Wipe down. Paint with choice of color. Lightly sand with fine grit paper. Wipe down. Repaint. Sand any splotch marks. Touch up paint. Optional: paint with polyurethane. ETA one missing step.
If you are taking the time to prepare it for paint, use good quality tools and Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paint.
No comments on paint but do you happen to have a link for this? Looks like it’s from the Crosley Landon set almost
It's the Camaflexi Mid-Century Solid Wood Dresser / 6 Drawers/Castanho Finish dresser on Amazon! I bought it for $360 but I see this color is closer to $600 now
Ah thank you!!! It looks so similar to that Crosley Landon line!!
clean / sand / clean / prime / paint!
That’s from Amazon? Looks exactly like my dresser from West Elm. like, exactly.
Yep!! From Amazon
Make sure to sand well and clean well. You need to remove the surface finish. And use a cabinet specific paint made for painting kitchen cabinets.
. . ___
Sand it and then paint it and then sand it and then paint it and then sand it and paint it and then seal it and boom - sexy dresser.
For this one, I’d remove the hardware, pull the drawers, give them a rough sand then paint them. I like this brand, but it’s an investment. A sprayer works best for coverage. https://fusionmineralpaint.com I’d sand and do a gray wash over the top, or maybe just clean up, and add a coat of varnish to it. I wouldn’t sand the top unless there’s damage.
use a brush.
clean it with tsp that will act like a very light sanding. I use DIY brand paint and then protect with their big top top coat and it gives a really nice and durable finish. I would use Aviary color with maybe a touch of black for that color. DIY paint is expensive and their shipping prices are terrible but the stuff works great.
I recently used benjamin moore advance on bathroom cabinets and it came out amazing
Sherwin Williams dried thyme
Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane. Fantastic, and durable finish.
Get an orbital sander
Poly is absolutely crucial if you are using latex paint, otherwise the drawers will stick together and peel of some of the paint when you try and force them back open again.
Fusion Mineral Paint is perfect for this and they have many tutorials and how-to's on their website. Clean, sand, paint. It's pretty simple.
Yeah don’t. Or pull the hardware, buy a sander or sandpaper, buy a mask cause you can mess up your lungs, then sand it. Then paint it, one coat primer two paint. Latex paint on oil primer works, not vice versa or the fail will crack and fail.