How to Paint over a Painted Dresser
- 1). Clean the dresser thoroughly, particularly if the dresser has been used around perfume or hairspray or if beverages are often set upon it. Use a general cleaner to get rid of any stains, and wipe up any dust that has accumulated. Wait for the dresser to dry and then remove the drawers, placing them on a drop cloth so they can be worked on separately from the body of the dresser.
- 2). Sand the dresser and drawers with 120-grit sandpaper. Sanding will even out any bubbles or brush strokes left by the previous paint job and provide texture to the surface so that the new paint will stick better. After you're done sanding, wipe down the furniture again with a wet towel or a tack cloth to pick up any dust that was left behind.
- 3). Apply one thin coat of water-based primer to the dresser and drawers. Use a roller to cover larger areas, such as the top of the dresser and the front of the drawers, and a smaller brush to get into crevices or decorative cut outs. Primer will help to hide the previous paint color; without it, the old paint may show through, especially if it was a dark color. Let the primer dry per the instructions on the product can. Clean your paint brushes and rollers and dry them.
- 4). Apply one thin coat of latex-based paint using a roller on large, flat surfaces and a smaller brush to get into the crevices. Apply the paint in long, even strokes so that the paint color and thickness remain consistent across the furniture. Let the paint dry per the instructions on the product. Follow up with a second coat.
- 5). Wait at least one full day before you reassemble and begin regular use of your dresser.
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