How to Faux Paint the Top of a Dresser With Silver Metallic Paint

Metallic silver paint is an inexpensive way to give new life to an old dresser.

An old dresser in need of a makeover takes a little lacquer and some sweat equity. Paint the top metallic silver, faux tarnish it, and replace the knobs with reproduction antique silver for an authentic-looking “heirloom” that doesn’t deplete your inheritance. Put the shiny, new storage piece in a foyer, in a dining room as a sideboard, or in the bedroom with a tarnished silver mirror and faux-silvered bedside lamps.

Things You'll Need

• Painter's tape
• Clean cloths
• Sandpaper
• Wood filler
• Gray lacquer primer
• Paintbrush
• Silver metallic lacquer
• Dark-brown paint
• Semigloss transparent lacquer
• High-gloss clear lacquer (optional)
• Reproduction antique silver drawer knobs (optional)

Instructions

1. Clean the dresser, remove the drawers, and apply painter's tape to the area you will not be painting.

2. Sand the top of the dresser to help the new paint adhere. Sand thoroughly -- the painted surface should appear as smooth as metal when it is finished.

3. Fill any cracks or gouges with wood filler, and let it dry. Sand the wood filler to a smooth finish.

4. Paint the dresser top with a coat of gray lacquer primer. Let the primer dry completely. Apply the silver metallic lacquer. Apply a second coat of metallic lacquer if you are not satisfied with the coverage.

5. Give the silver an “aged” look with faux tarnish. Mix 1 part dark-brown paint with 3 parts semigloss transparent lacquer. Paint this wash over the silver top, and then rub it off with a clean cloth, leaving “tarnished” areas to dry.

6. Complete the dresser top with one or two coats of clear lacquer, letting each coat dry to a hard finish. Remove the painter's tape. Replace the old drawer pulls with reproduction silver knobs, and put the drawers back in the dresser.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a glass top to protect the finish of a dresser that will get heavy use.

References

• House Beautiful: Fabulous Designer Foyers
• Miami Faux Finishes: Miami Faux Finishes