Sanding, painting, some varnish and new knobs helped to transform a Pine tallboy chest of drawers.
The project
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 drawers 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.
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) and then 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 two to three coats). Next I sealed the top with a clear topcoat (polyurethane or wax) for extra durability. I attached and screwed new gold handles into existing holes.
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
Tools used in the project:
More inspiration for your chest of drawers
Bunnings Workshop regular JoeAzza chose satin black for his upcycled chest of drawers.
Community member Cooney09 completed upcycled drawers for a nursery, painting with Dulux Classic Calm and adding cloud-shaped handles.
Get more inspiration from 10 furniture projects upcycled with paint, our Top 10 most popular indoor furniture projects, and a selection of upcycled bedside drawers and tables.
