I bought this old, tired second-hand pine tallboy a few months ago. After some sanding, fresh paint, and new handles, it’s been completely transformed into a modern, stylish piece for my daughter’s bedroom. I’m so happy with how it turned out!
Steps
Step 1
I first checked for damage (loose joints, cracks, missing parts). I cleaned the draws and surfaces thoroughly with mild soap and water and let dry. I unscrewed and removed all handles or knobs. I kept the screws to plan to reuse them with new handles
Sanding the Surface
Step 2
I started sanding with a coarse sandpaper (80–120 grit) using the Ozito orbital sander to remove old paint or varnish. I finished sanding with a finer grit (180–220) I wiped the surfaces clean. I then removed any dust using a cloth and damp rag to ensure a clean surface for painting. I used a primer over the dark wood.
Step 3
I then painted on two coats of a Semi Gloss Enamel in Dulux Cosmic Aura in thin, even coats. I let each coat dry fully before applying the next (usually 2–3 coats). Next I sealed top with a clear topcoat (polyurethane or wax) for extra durability. I attached and screwed new gold handles into existing holes.
