Tuesday Tutorial: Second-hand Dresser Redo #2

We had such success remaking little brother's dresser that big brother begged to have his done, too.  We'd bought his off Craigslist before he was born, and we'd already sanded and stained it once.  But the top had been roughed up a bunch from toys and sippy cups and there were places where the wood-filler didn't take the stain too well, so I was more than happy to give the dresser a new look.

I've been talking a lot with Big Brother about what he wants his room to look like in the new house.  I happened to have this photo canvas lying around (I printed it on a whim when canvases were on sale).

He loved it and now he wants a whole collage of kite canvases on his new wall.  In the meantime, we decided to paint his dresser to match, and I'm also working on updating his curtains to keep with the blue and red theme.  So here's how it all went:

1) Remove all drawers and sand dresser and drawers

No knobs to remove on this dresser!

 2) Prime dresser and drawers

The dresser was dark and I wanted to paint it a lighter/brighter color so I knew I needed to prime it.

Lesson Learned:  

Never store paint in a hot garage.  By the time I got around to using the primer, something had gone wrong with the paint.  All I got was aerosol and even when the paint stopped spraying I only had a thin layer on my dresser and drawers.  I was too lazy to buy more paint, but now my dresser has a slightly mottled texture.

3) Spray on paint

This time I  was more careful about applying the paint in thinner layers, so I greatly reduced the amount of dripping from what I experienced on the previous dresser.

Lesson Learned:

Be sure you cover all visible layers.  I forgot that two thin strips around the front edges would not be covered on the inside by the drawers.  I'll have to go back in and add more paint later because they are really splotchy at the moment.

 4) Return drawers and enjoy!

I was thrilled that the new dresser even matches his current wall decorations, though they won't be coming with us to the new house.  Big Brother is thrilled with his new furniture and eagerly awaiting the rest of his bedroom accessories.  And I'm thrilled that we got away with decorating so cheaply!