The basics?

[Topias]

I have an old ugly dresser that I would like to paint with simple ornaments. What kind of paints to use? Acrylics? and I suppose after you have painted you add a layer of varnish? Any other things I should know?

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Worlds walk through me

[leesmith]

"I have an old ugly dresser that I would like to paint with simple ornaments. What kind of paints to use? Acrylics? and I suppose after you have painted you add a layer of varnish? Any other things I should know?"

Hi!

First thing prep:

Use a good degreaser; wash piece to remove grease and grime.

Remove all hardware and soak in degreaser; then brush and dry. If the hardware is metal, you can spray paint it with Rustoleum.

Sand dresser and drawers lightly with med grit sandpaper to smooth out rough dingies and a fine grit for overall sanding; if the old finish is shiny oil base paint or shiny varnished finished, sand entire piece to dull the shine. BE SURE TO TACK OFF THE DUST AFTER EACH SANDING WITH A SLIGHTLY DAMP RAG OR YOU CAN PURCHASE A TACK CLOTH IN THE HARDWARE STORE. If the old finish was shiny, after sanding I would apply KILZ water based primer, 1 (or 2 coats if you are going from a dark piece to light color). I use latex or acrylics paints (I like semi gloss ) for EZ clean up. Check with hardware stores like Lowe's Home Depot; they sometimes carry "cabinet and vanity" paint which resists chipping. Do 2 coats of base color. Then do any "decorative" ornamentation; stencils stampers or freehand; you can even add "plaster carvings" by mixing wood glue, dry plaster of paris to a paste. I apply this after the primer stage but before the semi gloss base coat. Tape a stencil in place and quickly spread the mix over the stencil openings with a wide flat scraper or spatula; remove stencil immediately and you can use an artist brush to manipulate the wet plaster to remove any "hard" edges. LET PLASTER CARVINGS DRY OVERNIGHT. Then paint the dresser with your base coat(s). When the "carvings" are dry, hit at them with some Rub n Buff gold; very beautiful. Do not use oil base varnish over a light or white paint color; the oils in the varnish will yellow and amber over time ( unles you like that look ); use a clear water base acrylic sealer in semi or glossy whichever you prefer. Brush on Polycrylic is excellent and House Beautiful brand is too ( both water base). If you want to spray outside, I like Krylon clear acrylic spray. If you like an aged look you can skip the clear coat stage and apply a coat or two of Golden Oak oil base stain; lightly sand between coats with extra fine sand paper. NOTE: If you used a semi gloss acrylic or latex paint and want to age the colors, you can skip the clear coat stage and use also use a colored wax; buff when dry to a soft sheen. I use the wax type shoe polish,( cheap and works great!) 1 can of tan and 1 of brown and mix equal amounts with a knife. Wipe on like you do shoes, let dry, then buff with clean dry cloth. If you want to do some gold lining on the drawers, sides or top of your dresser; use painter's tape; no need to measure, just come about an inch or 2 from the edges and lay out your first line of tape; get perfect corners by pressing a single edge razor against the tape. Then come to the inside of that first tape outline by 1/4 inch and lay out another tape line. Make sure all tape edges are pressed down to avoid seepage. Then take your gold or other accent color, and apply with an artist brush BETWEEN the two sets of tape. Remove the tape immediately. Be creative, have fun and be sure to post your finished project for us to see! sORRY FOR ALL THE EDITS, BUT WANTED TO CLARIFY!

[This message has been edited by leesmith (edited May 19, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by leesmith (edited May 19, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by leesmith (edited May 19, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by leesmith (edited May 19, 2001).]

[paintinpat]

LeeSmith,
I agree with your great advise to Topias in reguard to the finishing of her item. I learned something new from it also, and I thought I knew it all !!!! Goes to show, one can learn something new everyday. The teechnique I am speaking of is the shoe polish antique method. I want to try it ASAP on some items I have painted. You know at one show we were at a lady had some items "antiqued" with a substance that sort of felt like wax to me, I now assume it was shoe polish method or perhaps the wax method you write of.
Pat http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

[leesmith]

Pat, the shoe polish is so EZ and fast and leaves a wonderful soft feel and glow. I almost always use it on a painted piece that looks just too fresh and needs a little age. I frequently use it on old beaten up frames too, you know the rather plain kind that have no carvings just flat type mouldings..I almost always use a crackle finish by Ralph Lauren ( a Qt lasts forever ). You can apply it right over a brown wood frame; let dry, then I usually use a cream paint, brush in one stroke till the brush is empty; then next stroke brush back until the new paint just meets the last stroke. Overlapping will cause the previous stroke to lift. You get some very interesting cracks using this method. Then I use the shoe polish when the light coat has dried. Another country finish is paint the frame gold, then apply Crackle. Almost any color looks beautiful over the gold.