As promised, here's a step-by-step tutorial on the process I used to refinish the nightstands I shared last week. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to send me an email!
I started out by removing the hardware, filling the old holes, and drilling a new one in a pre-measured spot to accommodate my new hardware. To set the new hole in its proper place, I measured the distance between the old holes (since I liked their height) and divided by two (yes, math comes in handy!!). As for the filler, I'm not too picky about the brand, but I prefer to use something in a tube versus a flat container, because it keeps the product moist (very important with filler) and therefore easier to manipulate (it's been my experience that no matter how hard I try to keep it sealed, the product in the flat container dries out quickly).
I started out by removing the hardware, filling the old holes, and drilling a new one in a pre-measured spot to accommodate my new hardware. To set the new hole in its proper place, I measured the distance between the old holes (since I liked their height) and divided by two (yes, math comes in handy!!). As for the filler, I'm not too picky about the brand, but I prefer to use something in a tube versus a flat container, because it keeps the product moist (very important with filler) and therefore easier to manipulate (it's been my experience that no matter how hard I try to keep it sealed, the product in the flat container dries out quickly).
After allowing the filler to dry, I pulled out my electric sander and did a light sand on the body of the nightstand and the drawers (to smooth the filler) . Sandpaper/sanding blocks come in various grits that determine the roughness of its surface. For light scratches, you should start with a medium grit (120) and finish off with a very fine grit (220 or 290) to ensure the smoothest possible finish. With my nightstands I used 120 and 220. You can always do this step with a sanding block, but an electric sander is worth the small investment if you refinish (or are going to be refinishing) a lot of furniture.
After sanding, I wiped the piece down with a damp, lint-free cloth to remove all of the debris, then it was painting time! Because the key to a great refinishing job is prep work, I primed the nightstands with both white and grey primer (I used what I had, but grey is great if you're going dark), and allowed it to sufficiently dry before applying the paint. You don't need to worry about the primer being perfect (like it was a top coat), but you do want to make sure that the piece is fully & evenly covered, especially if you're skipping the sanding step.
After applying several light coats and allowing them to dry for a day (I like my pieces to cure as long as possible), I applied the protectant using Minwax Wipe-On Poly and a lint-free cloth. The key to using it is to build layer upon layer until you get the level of gloss you like, so I generally do 2-3 coats for a medium gloss. When the occasion calls for high shine, I recommend 5-6 coats, but just remember that they should be light. I generally use the Clear Gloss (versus Clear Satin), and the lint-free cloths can be found in the same aisle as the Wipe-On Poly.
Any other tips from my fellow refinishers? Also, if you're still unsure of what to do with your piece, drop me a line! :)
