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..:: Rach ::..
D&R question for ya (and anyone else who has re-finishing experience)! We just inherited a TON of furniture. I'm overwhelmed!
3 wooden dressers - one tall like this, and it's matching dresser like this, plus another very similar but not exactly matching dresser
1 vintage radio cabinet like this, but nicer which Michael is gutting and adding a modern system to
2 end tables like this, minus the spindles/railing
4-piece shelving unit like this, except remove the doors from the two middle units
1 piano like this
The dresser set is in good shape and we'll likely leave it as-is for now. The extra dresser is in amazing shape, but doesn't go with anything we have unless I paint it, which makes me a little sad.
The radio cabinet needs refinishing, as does the two end tables - too many scuffs and scratches. The huge shelving unit is in great shape, except the wood stain doesn't match our current decor AND the unit reeks of cigarettes (vom). The piano, we plan to have done professionally, but I don't think we can afford to have someone do all the rest of the furniture.
So, given the amount of work I have ahead of me I was wondering what you would advise. I could attempt re-staining, or I can paint (likely black).
Do I have to sand everything if I go the paint route? Or just find a primer for glossy surfaces?
Have you ever chemically stripped furniture? If so, is it more obnoxious than sanding?
Any recs for getting the smokey smell out of the wood?
What about tools/supplies to make it look professional and less crafty?
Would you paint over an antique dresser that's in almost perfect condition or deal with it being mismatched until you move to a bigger place?
Re: ..:: Rach ::..
Wow! That's a lot of furniture! It looks nice though! I'm a sucker for antiques:)
So, given the amount of work I have ahead of me I was wondering what you would advise. I could attempt re-staining, or I can paint (likely black).
To me, painting is easier than staining. If you re-stain a piece, you have to sand down the surface completely, restain, then varnish. Kind of annoying IMO. But I think it depends on how much you like the wood and what looks good in your home.
Do I have to sand everything if I go the paint route? Or just find a primer for glossy surfaces?
If you decide to paint it, you don't necessarily HAVE to sand, but it's a good idea to rough up the surface or get rid of any chipping finishes before you start. Then you can go ahead with primer. I like Zinsser Cover Stain, especially for dark wood.
Have you ever chemically stripped furniture? If so, is it more obnoxious than sanding?
I've only done this once. It was pretty much a PITA. I think that had to do with the piece though. It was a spindle leg table that had about 6 coats of paint on it, so chemical stripping it was the only way I could get it off. It would probably be easier to do on one of your pieces but it's kinda messy, so I think I would personally opt for sanding.
Any recs for getting the smokey smell out of the wood?
I have no clue, but maybe the primer and fresh paint will help!
What about tools/supplies to make it look professional and less crafty?
Use a small roller for smooth surfaces when possible (they have these categorized at Home Depot to tell you what surfaces they work best on). Rollers cut down on strokes you'd get with a brush. Of course, for smaller pieces you'll probably have to do a brush...invest in a good one...it will make a difference. You can add Penetrol or Flotrol to your paint which are basically thinners that will cut down on the appearance of brush strokes. Penetrol is for oil based paints and Flotrol is for Latex, depending on which you choose to work with. Mostly, be patient! Let each coat dry completely before adding another (I am guilty of not doing this). Oh...and use a protective top coat. I like Minwax Polycrylic but I hear Varathane is fantastic too.
Would you paint over an antique dresser that's in almost perfect condition or deal with it being mismatched until you move to a bigger place?
If I was unsure, I would wait to paint it. You can always paint it later, but if you paint it now on impulse, you might regret it!
I hope that was somewhat helpful! GL!!!
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Thanks Rach! I appreciate all the help!
How long would you say you need to wait in-between coats?
| cute shoes make me happy |
Hahah thanks mcd! I really don't know that much, but I definitely would go on HGTV and fake it! Lol:)
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No prob:)
I would wait several hours. It also depends on how humid it is on the day you paint...it will take longer to dry if it is humid. If you want to be extra safe, wait until the next day to second coat. The top coat of polycrylic is especially sensitive. I think the can says you have to wait 48 hours before placing anything on the surface.
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