French Dresser + Farmhouse Table
If you hang out with me on Instagram stories, you already know that I {re}NEWELLed this French dresser + this farmhouse table this weekend. At the same time. It was a lot.
I love how they both turned out and because I used the same method on both pieces I want to share exactly what I did and the products I used.
PROCURE FURNITURE + GATHER MATERIALS
These two pieces were in desperate need of a {re}NEWELL!
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:
Wood furniture
Jasco Premium Paint & Epoxy Remover
Chemical resistant gloves + glasses (I also recommend old sneakers. When the remover gets on your skin, and it will, it burns like fire until you wash it off. Pants are cool too. But I’m not your momma. You do what you want.)
Electric sander
Heavy grit + fine grit sand paper
Bleach (Any brand will do, but low splash is easier to work with.)
Valspar Limewash Glaze
Kilz 2 Latex Primer
Valspar Furniture Paint (I used the color Swiss Coffee for both pieces)
Minwax Water Based Polycrylic (I always use the clear matte or satin for all of my furniture projects.)
Various paint brushes + putty knives + rags + containers
Drop cloth
Paper or plastic plates
I know it seems like a lot of stuff to buy but every single thing on this list will last for several projects. Promise.
TIME + ELBOW GREASE + PATIENCE
THIS IS WHAT YOU DO:
Move your piece of furniture outside and onto a drop cloth. Big cardboard works good too.
Prep:
Drop cloth ✔️
Hardware removed ✔️
Remove any hardware like drawer pulls or knobs.
Get yourself all geared up and apply the paint stripper. I like to pour it on and then move it around with a disposable brush.
TOXIC CHEMICALS
I don’t have time for eucalyptus oil + apple cider vinegar + prayers.
Let it sit for about 15 minutes. You’ll see the paint and varnish underneath start to bubble up. Don’t let it dry. You want it to be gooey. Not wet, not dry, GOOEY. Got it? Good.
Grab your putty knife and start scrapping. You can use plastic or metal, just be careful not to damage the wood if you’re using a metal scraper. I like to scrap the goop into a cardboard box to be thrown away. DO NOT use your favorite garbage can. It won’t make it out alive.
I use plastic + metal putty knives to scrape.
Repeat the stripper + scraping method on any stubborn spots.
All the paint + stain + varnish that came off.
Let any remaining goop dry before sanding so it doesn’t clog up your sandpaper.
After stripping + scraping, before sanding.
Start with your heavier grit sandpaper and get to sanding. Go with the grain of the wood, never against. It’s not a steak.
Change over to your finer grit sand paper and get everything nice and smooth. Don’t skip this step! Stain, paint, limewash, or anything else you’re applying will go on so much nicer with a smooth surface.
These are the two sander I use and love.
Get all the sawdust off of your piece of furniture. I like to use the leaf blower then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Paint on a layer of bleach working quickly without splattering. Splatters will leave a noticeable spot just like when it gets on your clothes.
Time to bleach the raw wood!
Let the bleach dry in the sun if you can. Repeat until the wood is as light as you want it.
Bleach + sunshine
For the next steps you can bring your furniture inside. I think paint + sealant do better out of the humidity.
Put a drop cloth down and put paper/plastic plates under the legs/feet of your furniture.
Drop cloth ✔️
Plastic plates ✔️
Primer ✔️
Prime the areas to be painted with Kilz 2.
Who remembers when Kilz only came in oil-base?
While that’s drying limewash the raw wood areas. Working in sections, I like to brush it on sporadically then rub it in with a damp cloth. Again, go WITH the grain.
Love this stuff!!
While that’s drying brush on your first coat of furniture paint.
I use this for all of my painted furniture projects.
While that dries apply the first coat of polycrylic over the limewash. I like a sponge brush for this.
NEVER USE POLYURETHANE!!
It will ruin all of your hard work by yellowing over time. Use this instead!
While that dries apply the second coat of furniture paint.
Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Then another coat of polycrylic to the limewash.
Look at that beautiful wood!
And finally one more touch up coat of furniture paint.
Last coat!
Let it dry before you move it. And let it cure for a few days before you put anything on top. Drying and curing are two different things!
And that’s it! Whew!!
Now. I can tell you what to do all day long and I hope this guide points you in the right direction but you really just have to get in there and DO IT! We learn by DOING. And the more you experiment the more comfortable + confident you’ll become. (Are we still talking about refinishing furniture?🤔)
Thanks for reading!
Leah