So, who out there in reader land remembers me mentioning that around Thanksgiving I was in the process of refinishing a chest of drawers? Oh, you do remember? Good. Then you may recall that I haven’t mention anything about it in over a month! Why, you ask? Hmm, it may be because I really did a number on it. That is just my nice way of putting that I royally messed it up. Paint brush strokes galore, globbyness and holes that just didn’t get filled all the way.
Here’s my problem: I go online and read about how everyone on blogland so very easily transforms any piece of furniture that they bat an eyelash at. By default, I assume I can magically do an amazing job without any real skill or knowledge. Therefore, I go to Home Depot with a list of supplies that cost a ridiculous amount of money, but assume it’s going to be “totally worth it, since it’s so much cheaper to buy an old piece to fix up, then buy new.” Or so I tell Andrew, repeatedly. Which, I am sure that’s 100% true because quality has gone down, and prices have gone up – but that doesn’t make restoration any easier to do! At Home Depot, I pick up my primer, paint conditioner, paint color, polycrylic, wood fill, sandpaper, new paint brushes….the whole kit and caboodle. For I am gung-ho, and hear me roar!
As you can see, what I’m working with is pretty solid. All of the drawers are dovetailed, and it’s really sturdy. I love the legs, and the overall look of the dresser. You can tell the handles have seen better days, so I’ll have to wood fill the holes, sand it smooth, paint, and drill new holes. It’ll be just soooooooo easy, or so I think.
I wish I had taken photos during the actual wood fill process so you could see that is not all rainbows and butterflies. But, during the time, I don’t think I realized the outcome and how bad it could potentially be. While filling the holes, I must not have gotten the fill flush with the rest of the wood. I could have sworn I did, but after priming (and painting!!) it became very obvious where the previous holes were. To add insult to injury, I read that you should paint furniture with a brush. Boy golly, if a website said to do it, I was going to do it. Never once did I take into consideration brush strokes, or maybe it might be a good idea to brush on, then roll to smooth. The blog I was reading didn’t tell me to do that. How was I to know?
Ick! The brush strokes look terrible! That’s two coats of primer, and it most certainly is not going away. But, I only say that because I now know from experience since I put two coats of paint ON TOP OF THAT! It’s safe to say that I asked for an orbital sander for Christmas, so I can sand this puppy down and start over again.
Am I disappointed by the outcome of my rendezvous into refinishing? Of course. Was it necessary? Of course. Ultimately, this is trial and error and you learn from experience. I don’t know about you, but I realize I was not born with an innate ability to master something right out of the gate. It takes practice, mistakes, and learning from them. At the end of the day, once the project is all said and done, I’ll be more happy with the results because I know it didn’t come easy.
At least we know what I’ll be working on this weekend!
Love, J and A
