OMG... I've been pouring over decorating & renovating types of blogs for a few months and everyone seems to refinish stuff as fast as they did on Trading Spaces. I thought, it can't be that hard if everyone is doing it... Ha- it's a lot of work!!
So I bought a $30 craigslist night stand this week. Bought a $30 hand sander (I have two other pieces I would like to do this to, too, so it was worth the time saved). Bought sandpaper and foam paint brushes/roller. Already have the paint and polyurethane.
I started last night (after a margarita) and wow... my hand was tingling and vibrating for at least an hour after I was done sanding!! And I was filthy. I do know I am glad I bought the smallest sander... b/c there is no way I could have gripped the bigger ones.
I put the first coat of primer on last night (kilz spray paint comes out extremely gloppy, FYI), and will go out and do the second coat this morning. Hopefully this will be worth it in the end!
Re: New found DIY respect!
Things I have learned:
1. Kilz spray paint primer kinda stinks (comes out all gloppy and speckly)
2. Kilz oil based primer is super thick.
3. When buying used furniture from craigslist, don't purchase furniture if your allergies are terrible and you are stuffed up and have lost your sense of smell. If you can't pass up a potential deal and you can't smell, ask if previous owners of furniture owned pets and if this was used as a pet bed and or pet bathroom. If yes, decline purchase to avoid having to use odor killing primers in the future.
4. Rustoleum spray paint primer is AWESOME (esp. compared to above mentioned Kilz).
I have completely primed the entire night stand and all three drawers... 2-3 coats depending on location. I'll paint it with the regular paint tomorrow (just a white semi-gloss, plus a "grass green" for the inside of the drawers). I'll post pictures when it's all done!!