Anyone here upcycle furniture?

[WoogleCone]

Hello!

Hoping there's some kind folk on here that upcycle might be able to give me some pointers please?

I've got a large chest of drawers that I need to refresh for DDs room. Currently varnished but I'd like them to be a colour instead.

Vague plan, sand down, paint, wax, new handles. Have I missed any important steps?
And what is the best (hopefully not too expensive) furniture paint or 'does the job alternatives'?
I usually get Wilko's paint for everything as I'm always impressed with the quality and finish but theirs was more expensive than the rustoleum can!

Thank you!!

You don't need to sand it if you buy chalk paint. Some of them you have to wax, others you don't. It's great, and very easy.

I'm enjoying the idea of not sanding haha, the less work the better!
Does chalk paint have an odd texture when dry? Sorry really weird question but will it feel like furniture? Or get kind of hard to pull drawers out?

You just give it good scrub with sugar soap and use chalk paint or 'cupboard paint'

I've done a few pieces now that have all worked out well. I roughly sand with a medium grit sandpaper and then prime. Zinsser bin is one of the best. It's fairly pricey but saves on having to sand right back. I then use valspar wood and metal paint in eggshell. Again, on the pricier side but a little goes a long way and the finish is fab! Lightly sand inbetween every coat and I wet sand with a very fine sandpaper at the end for a flawless finish. I would also suggest investing in a good 'round' brush - it helps to avoid brush stroke marks. Only use cheap brushes if using the zinsser primer though as it is shellac based and will not clean off well.
This is a dresser a did a few months back, it was dark brown and varnished before.

I wouldn't recommend chalk paint, especially on a piece that will get used regularly. It wears very quickly.

@Jenb2104 that dresser looks amazing! And thank you for the tips, I'll look at that brand - did you sand by hand or use an electric sander?
We have an electric one but will it be too harsh?

Also truly dumb question - wet sand. Dip the paper? Wet the surface and then use dry paper?

Thank you!!!!

Ive never used an electric sander as with that primer you can literally paint it straight on top of varnish if you wanted but I always just give it a quick hand sand to rough it up a bit.

You can either wet the paper or I sometimes wipe over the peice of furniture with a damp cloth and then lightly sand.

Also, if it's a chest of drawers you are doing, use a small roller with the colour coats instead of a brush on the bigger bits. It's so much quicker and you get an even better finish.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

Hope the photos post! This is a before and after of some wardrobes I did!

So easy but does take a bit of time.

Dust and wet wipe as they'd been in my aunties barn for 15 years!! Quick once-over with sandpaper, coat of cheap Dulux white paint, coat of Annie Sloan chalk paint (could have just used Annie Sloan but it's expensive and would have needed 2 tins so my way was cheaper), then replaced handles with lovely glass vintage patterned ones from Homesense and TK Maxx.

Cost me £11 in total as the wardrobes and Annie Sloan paint were given to me. Literally 1% of the £1100 we were going to spend on fitted wardrobes.

They look amazing @redpandamama!

I'll look at the Annie Sloan paint, the £11 price tag is right up my street haha!