How to Paint a Nightstand?

When buying cheap furniture, it is usual to open the drawer only to find glue inside the nightstand inside. Although the pieces are in poor shape and seem to need removal, after a bit of time, they can be made to look exquisite and serve their function for any bedroom. Here’s how to paint and refurbish nightstands, which would otherwise go to waste, and give them a new lease on life.

The modern nightstand with angled legs has an enormous upside in that it should be easy to restore. So long as the piece has not suffered many dents no holes are apparent, and only some watermarks and crackled stains are visible, that can be removed by applying a new coat of paint. This is the type of weekend project that practically anyone can tackle to spruce up a piece of furniture without too much work on their part.

Essential all-purpose tools and materials for modifying nightstands

To execute a successful DIY nightstand modification, a few tools and materials must be present. Here are the things that are commonly needed for this task:

Power Tools:

• Mitre Saw: a tool that allows trimming or cutting of any wood pieces up to the required length.
• Sander with 60 Grit Sandpaper: aids in roughening the surface and getting rid of a previous coat of finish.

Materials

• Rustoleum UMA Extreme Bond Primer: High-quality primer that strengthens paint adhesion. It also readies the surface of the paint.
• Cool Dowel Trim (8ft): Complements the nightstand, and enhances its appearance effectively.
• Paint Brushes: A brush with a rubber handle which is good for detailed painting procedures and a more affordable brush for the application of primers as they can be tough to clean.
• Sherwin-Williams Paint (Accessible Beige SW 7036): For a perfect coat, I recommend using Urethane Emerald Trim in Accessible beige or any of the lighter colors since they provide protection and a perfect finish.
• Painter’s Tape: Eases the application of paint by covering portions that may not be painted.
• Drop Cloth: Protects areas around the site being painted.
• Wood Glue: For sticking any trims that may be loose or any parts that may be.

Safety Gear:

Safety Goggles: A type of equipment that offers protection to the eyes against dust and other particles.

Mask: It is very important to have this to avoid the chances of dust or fumes being inhaled.

Ear Protection: For protection of ears to noise when operating power tools.

Filling in scratches, dents, and old hardwood screw holes

The first stage of refurbishing a nightstand is to unscrew and remove all the hardware pieces, including knobs or handles from the drawers. If they will be reused, place them in a protected area. Now, check the top for any dents or spider webs. These, too, should be removed and filled to level with the wood surface using wood filler. Once the filler has dried, use P220 grit sandpaper to avoid over-soothing of the filled cavities.

Before applying paint on the nightstand, sanding its surface is a must. Sander can make this work faster as this work can also be done by hand. Always put on safety goggles, ear muff, and a mask while doing the sanding to avoid dust and noise. For big areas, an orbital sander will work best but for corners and tight intrusions, a multi-tool attachment will suffice. If you are looking to buy a sander for a small-scale operation, a mouse sander would be ideal since it is inexpensive for what it offers. While sanding, P60 grit should be utilized for ease of cutting.

The main purpose of this operation is not to completely remove the previous stains or paints but rather to provide the required texture for the effective bonding of the primer. The presence of a sheen on the surface would act against the primer. The next step, which is also important, is to use a tack cloth or a paper towel to clean the entire surface after sanding to remove any dust from the saw. This step is important; if it is not performed, saw dust contamination with the primer will produce clumps which will affect the appearance of the finished work.

Trim 

When cutting trim for the drawer front area, always look at the outside edges of the drawer and fit each trim piece accordingly. Each of these pieces should be cut like a parallelogram with a slant of 45 degrees at both ends. Make sure to set the saw to 45 degrees before the cut and measure across the long edge of the trim. It will be useful to have a good knowledge of geometry to avoid making such shapes as rhombi or trapezium on the cut face of the trim during the actual cutting process of the trim edges.

Once the individual trim pieces are completed, the next step would be to assemble each to its respective drawer fronts and see how much adjustment is needed. If the parts hold together properly, take some wood glue and apply it to the rear side of the trim, pressing this onto the drawer front gently. However, avoid letting too much glue seep out onto the vertical sections of the sides. If glue has gotten out, take a baby wipe and the glue will come off instantly and without hassles. Use the finger method to smooth out excess glue before the trim can be fixed in position to minimize the chances of it oozing out. Alternatively, spread the glue evenly on each side of a small brush before applying the glue.

Priming A Nightstand: Applying the Final Coat

For the nightstand, take everything out and use a cheap paintbrush from the dollar store to apply primer around all the corners of the edges and the surfaces. For brushes, consider cleaning them after use to be a hassle as the primer does not come off. For the designs in the tables, which are the tops, sides and drawer fronts, use a foam roller to put the surface primer on these areas which are usually its intended purpose. Most writers suggest two coats of primer application for an ideal finish. The first coating should dry for one day and then move to the next.

Creating a Sense of Elegance with the Right Paint Selection

When painting furniture, it is important to keep in mind harmonizing colours such as black, gray, beige or greige to make it look expensive and sophisticated. When painting the furniture, it is best to avoid very bright colours because they do not create a timeless design. Choose Urethane Trim Enamel for painted trim since it can resist heavy usage and is intended for furniture, cabinets, and doors. It is thicker than standard paint for walls and when placed on a prepared surface appropriately, has a great resistance to chipping away.

Paint Additives

To acquire a smooth finish the nightstand, make sure to mix Floetrol Flood in latex paint. This form of paint is used to create a more workable and even layer of latex paint while minimizing the chances of streak. In comparison, this will help achieve a more oil-like finish. Make this step whenever you want to achieve a Use a foam brush to dab larger areas so that an even solution is present in small places that a normal roller would miss.

Tips for a Smooth and Even Paint Finish

The first step of painting any piece of furniture should be ensuring that you have enough ventilation in your workstation. Use a foam roller to cover large flat areas, and a good brush for the edges or corners of the drawers. To retain a seamless look, use three light coats to top off the painted surface. In doing so, you will ensure that the end product looks smooth and free from defects. While waiting for each coat to be applied Moreover, observe closely any bubbles that seem to have settled upon the surface. If this is the case, consider sanding these spots. To achieve this, do not wait until the section was completely dry but use a foam roller to roll over the brushed area.