How to Refinish a Dresser to Look Antique

Antiques furniture can give any room a look of style and elegance. These pieces can be found at flea markets and specialty stores across the country, and can also have a high price tag. Modern furniture can be made to look more antique through a process called distressing. This process roughens up a piece to give it the appearance of age and can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost of a genuine piece of antique furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Dusting cloth
• Paper towel
• 120 grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint brushes
• Paint
• Paste wax
• Wood glaze
• Protective sealant

Instructions

1. Remove any dust from the piece with a dusting cloth or paper towel. This will ensure that the paint used in the project adheres more effectively to the piece.

2. Remove any old, unwanted paint and smooth out any nicks or rough spots on the dresser with 120-grit sandpaper.

3. Cover the piece with one coat of primer. Allow the primer to dry.

4. Cover the piece with one coat of paint of your choosing with a paint brush. Allow the paint to dry and add a second coat. Allow this coat to dry as well.

5. Cover the areas of the piece you wish to “distress” with paste wax, which can be found at many painting supply stores. Areas to distress includes corners, near the bottom of any feet, around the corners of any drawers and a few patches on the top of the piece.

6. Allow the paste wax to dry and set for one hour.

7. Cover the piece with one coat of wood glaze. This glaze can be found any many painting supply stores and comes in several colors. Apply the wood glaze with the grain of the wood for a more polished final look.

8. Allow the glaze to dry for 24 hours.

9. Lightly sand the areas of the dresser you wish to “distress”. The 120-grit sandpaper will remove the glaze and allow the layers of paint to show through.

10. Apply one coat of protective sealant to the entire piece. This will help protect the wood from any further wear and tear. Allow the sealant to dry before using the dresser.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove the contents of the dresser to ensure they are not ruined by the painting process.

References

• Jane's List: How to Distress Furniture
• Repair Home: Distressing Wood: Getting the Faux Finish You Want