Proud Projects: An Old Dresser for a New Bedroom
Sand Pilarski - atgreenmars@hotmail.comThe right tools make the job easy, and even fun. This humble little well-worn dresser has seen better days, and we're going to make sure it sees some more.
1.) With knobs removed, we give the little creature a quick sanding with a Black and Decker finishing sander, and then a rubdown with a "tack cloth", a sticky little scrap of fabric that will pick up any dust left on the surface.
2.) Water putty fills in old dings and chips, and is easy to mix in a paper plate, just water and water putty powder. After it's dry, even the repairs on the curved edges sand nicely with 3M Sanding Sponges. These are great for scupture sanding, too -- how have people managed without them? Now we use the tack cloth again.
3.) A coat of Zinsser 1-2-3 Primer will make our paint stick very nicely, providing a bonding surface between the old painted wood and the new stuff. Use throwaway brushes for priming -- this primer dries in about 30 minutes and can ruin a good brush. Zinsser will even prime glass for painting!
4.) I thought it would take two coats, but one was sufficient: we used Sears Best Easy Living Kitchen, Bath, and Trim Enamel in white, applied with the wonderful Purdy brand brushes. You wouldn't think a brush would make such a difference but it do, it do. I have three Purdy brushes that I hide in my art closet and only use when I know I need a perfect finish.
5.) Perfect finish indeed, with some updated knobs from the hardware, ceramic grapes in purple to tie in with the purple walls of the room in which the dresser will be used. Many good days ahead for this little dresser!
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