Antiquing an Old Dresser

Sand corners and feet for a timeworn look.

You may luck out and get ahold of an old dresser in updated condition with a perfect finish and just the right amount of time-worn texture to it. More commonly, you'll find a rustic piece with scratched and worn wood but perhaps eye-catching silhouette in a vintage style. You need little more than time and basic painting supplies to turn the thrifty buy into an hand-antiqued piece with pleasing color and charm.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Wood soap
• Water
• Scrub brush
• Flat paint
• Satin paint
• Furniture glaze
• Paintbrushes
• Paint trays
• Drop cloths
• Clean rags
• Plastic bags or wrap, cheesecloth or sponge
• Sandpaper
• Chains
• Steel wool
• Nails
• Bag
• Wax sealant
• Clean sponge

Instructions

1. Remove all hardware from the old dresser, including drawer pulls and knobs with a screwdriver.

2. Clean the dresser with wood soap, water and a scrub brush. Let it dry completely.

3. Paint the dresser in a lighter, neutral color in a flat-finish paint. Apply a thin layer to allow the grain to show through slightly, and leave brushstrokes or an slightly uneven application. It contributes to the antiqued look. Let the paint dry completely.

4. Mix one part satin-finish paint with two parts glaze or water for your second coat. Darker earth tones or jewel tones with rusty undertones work well, depending on your taste.

5. Brush back and forth onto the dresser. Let the paint settle into corners, crevices and around raised areas to create varied texture and color.

6. Let the glaze and paint mixture dry for awhile, then when the paint is still tacky, gently rub off some of the dulled glaze. For a textured pattern, experiment with a sponge, plastic bags or wrap or cheesecloth instead of a rag. Continue rubbing the dresser until you're satisfied with the finish. Let the paint dry completely.

7. Sand some of the paint from the corners of the dresser, raised areas around carved woodwork on outside seams and near the feet and knobs for an intensely antiqued look.

8. Hit the dresser feet and corners with chains, rub steel wool around it, or hit it with a bag or nails for a very rustic, antiqued look.

9. Apply a clear wax sealant to the entire dresser to protect it by applying a dab to a sponge, wrapping that in a clean rag, rubbing it on and buffing it off like car wax. Let the dresser dry completely.

10. Replace the dresser hardware.

Resources

• North Dakota State University: Painted Finishes for Special Effects