How to spray paint a dresser

This guide is for those newbies who want to spray paint their dresser by themselves and want to be desired finish out of their work.

Follow each step explained in this guide in order to save yourself from mistakes that can mess up the surface of the dresser.

And later you will feel regret that you might have followed some sort of guide in the first place.

There are a lot of different ways to paint a dresser! I have our favorite methods and they may be different depending on the item we are spraying or painting.

Check out this blog and let us know what you think of this method! Do you have a better way? Let us know in the comments section.

Table of Contents

How to spray paint a dresser?

Tools you need to spray paint dresser

Sprayer

Sandpaper or sander
Primer
Painters tape or Newspaper

Drop clothes or rags
Paint
Gloves for protection

Glasses
Face mask
Protective gear

Clean the dresser

Cleaning dressers before repainting is important, because it gets rid of the old paint, and prepares the surface for the new paint to adhere better.

It’s much more cost-effective to clean the surface of the furniture than to repaint it again.

You can paint dressers with latex paint and polyurethane.

Depending on the condition of your dresser and the amount of pain you’re comfortable with, you can clean your dresser by hand or use machines to clean your dresser.

The best way to clean the paint from your dresser is to use the method that preserves the integrity of your dresser.

Sand the dresser

There are lots of methods to sand the dresser before painting. The easiest yet most time-consuming way is to use hand sandpaper.

Wipe the dust off the dresser with a damp towel. Use 100-grade sandpaper to sand the dresser. Sand it in a circular motion to make the job quicker.

Make sure to sand in the direction of the grain. You can use 120-grade sandpaper if you like.

Use 150-grade sandpaper in places where the finish may have been chipped away. Sand lightly so as to not sand through the finish.

Prime the dresser

Prime your dresser with one of the following options: First-coat primer, and then paint it. You can find this kind of primer at your local building supply store.

It is specially formulated to serve as a primer and paint in one.

Using a primer made for cabinets is a great idea since it completely seals the wood and keeps it from absorbing paint, allowing you to save a coat of paint.

However, if you don’t have a local store that sells cabinet primer and you can’t wait for shipping, you can also use a spray-on primer.

You can also find it next to the paint at your local hardware store. Prime, then paint.

This method is much more time-consuming and will take a few days to finish, but it works well if you’ve got a lot of small projects going on and can’t finish painting them all at once.

Prepping the wood before painting gives it a more polished look, and it also helps prevent the paint from peeling off of the furniture.

Start spraying dresser

There are 2 ways to spray paint a dresser. The first way is to get the dresser wet, let it dry and then spray with a primer coat.

After the primer coat dries, add a few coats of your color of choice. The second way is to do a light sanding on the dresser.

Spray paint which is the color of your choice. Light sanding may be necessary for some places. No primer is needed for this.

Spray painting is a great way to make a piece of furniture look more modern and modern, and the process is pretty easy.

First, you’ll need to prepare the surface. Sand it, and clean it well.

Use a tack cloth to get rid of all the dust, then vacuum the entire surface to make sure you don’t have any bits of dust or fluff. Next, you’ll want to prime it.

You can do this in a couple of different ways. If you’re going for a super smooth, glass-like shine, you should use a spray-on primer.

If you’re going for a more distressed look, you can use a brush-on primer. After you’ve primed it, you’ll want to wait for it to dry completely.

Then you can paint it. Leave some time to dry here as well. This is good practice for any kind of paint, particularly with spray paint.

It needs time to dry and set before you can put any weight on it. I usually leave it overnight.

Can you spray paint a dresser without sanding?

Yes, it is possible to spray paint a dresser without sanding it first, but it is not recommended.

Sanding the surface of the dresser will help the paint adhere better and give a smoother finish.

If you choose to paint without sanding, it is important to use a degreaser or liquid sandpaper to clean the surface thoroughly and then use a primer before applying the paint.

Is it better to spray paint or brush paint a dresser?

Both spray painting and brush painting a dresser have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Spray painting is generally considered to be the faster and more efficient method, as it allows for an even and smooth application of paint over large surfaces.

However, it can be messier and requires more skill to achieve a professional-looking finish.

It also requires a well-ventilated area and protective gear, such as a mask and goggles, to be worn while spraying.

Brush painting, on the other hand, allows for more control and precision in the application of the paint. It is also easier to get into tight spaces and corners, and it is less messy.

However, it is a slower process and can result in brush marks and an uneven finish if not done properly.

In conclusion, if you want a smooth and even finish and you have a well-ventilated area, spray paint might be the better option.

But if you want more control and precision and don’t mind taking your time, brush painting might be the better choice.

How many cans of spray paint do I need for a dresser?

The number of cans of spray paint needed for a dresser will depend on the size of the dresser, the number of coats being applied, and the type of paint being used.

As a rough estimate, a standard 6-drawer dresser will typically require 2-3 cans of spray paint, assuming that you are applying 2-3 light coats.

However, it’s always better to have more paint than you think you’ll need, just in case.

Keep in mind that when you are spray painting, you should always use thin and even coats, and avoid drips or runs, so you can avoid using more paint than you need.

Additionally, if you are using a primer, you will also need to factor in the number of cans of primer.

Can you spray paint directly on wood?

Yes, it is possible to spray paint directly on wood, but it is not recommended. Wood is porous and can absorb paint differently, which can result in an uneven finish.

It’s also recommended to use a primer before applying the paint, as it will help the paint adhere better, and provide a smooth surface to work on.

If you choose to spray paint directly on wood, it’s important to use a degreaser or liquid sandpaper to clean the surface thoroughly and to use paint designed specifically for wood.

Also make sure the wood is dry and free of any dust, dirt, or debris before painting.

It’s also important to note that if the wood surface has any knots, cracks, or other imperfections, these areas will likely absorb more paint, which can result in an uneven finish.

Sanding and priming the wood prior to painting can help to reduce the visibility of these imperfections.

Can you use spray paint on wood dresser?

Yes, you can use spray paint on a wood dresser. However, it is important to properly prepare the surface of the dresser by cleaning it and removing any existing finish or paint.

Sand the wood lightly to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to. Then, apply a primer specifically formulated for wood surfaces before applying the spray paint.

Allow each coat to dry completely before applying additional coats, and finish with a clear sealant to protect the paint from scratches and damage.

Is it OK to spray paint wood furniture?

Yes, it is generally okay to spray paint wood furniture, as long as you take the proper steps to prepare the surface and use the right type of paint.

Before spray painting wood furniture, it is important to clean and sand the surface to remove any dirt, dust, or existing finish.

This will help the paint adhere better and create a smooth surface.

It is also recommended to use a primer specifically formulated for wood surfaces and to apply multiple thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

Lastly, using a clear sealant can help to protect the paint and make the furniture more durable.

It’s important to note that if the furniture is very old or has sentimental value, you might want to consider professional help or alternative methods such as staining or oiling.

FAQ’s of How to spray paint a dresser

Sanding a dresser before painting it is a very important part of the process. It may not seem like a very big deal because it is a very small part of the project, but sanding the dresser before painting it is crucial, and not doing so can actually ruin your project. If the spray paint is on a surface that hasn’t been prepared adequately and is still a little rough, it can peel right off. Sanding the surface smooth is important because it is the key to getting a good finish and a true paint color.

Most people would think that paint for spraying is the same as paint for painting. However, this is not true at all. While painting is done by brush and you can use almost any paint for it, spraying is done by a spray gun. And the paint used for spraying is totally different than that for painting. You need a low-tack paint for spraying since you have to have the gun moving constantly over the surface you’re painting. High-tack paint like latex and oil-based are not suitable for spraying. If you use these paints, the gun will create a track in the freshly painted surface. The paint will build up on the track, making it difficult to hold the gun on this area and resulting in uneven surface. Low-tack paint will not stick to the track, and therefore you can use good quality low-tack paint for spraying your furniture.

Spray painting is a great way to transform any old dresser or piece of furniture into something new. It’s easy, fast and you can use any type of spray paint. However, if you’re going to use paint brushes, then sanding the piece of furniture will make it easier to apply the new coat of paint.

The short answer to your question is: Yes, you can spray paint wood – without primer. However, as many of you will know, paint doesn’t stick to every surface. To get the best finish from your spray paint requires preparation, good coats and sealing.

Summary of How to spray paint a dresser

This is the complete guide for you peeps out there who were confused to spray painting dressers by themselves.

But don’t worry this guide will eventually give you the desired results which you want after completing the whole procedure of painting the dresser.

Still, if you have any questions raising in your mind then let me know in the comments section and I will try my best to clear out your confusion.

Till next time take good care of yourself and your painting equipment.

Matthew Edward

Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.