Stripping & repainting drawers/wardrobes

susieb1967

hmm just seen photos! the drawers look like they will strip well and look good, dont hold out much hope 4 your wardrobe tho-but you never know till you try it! What about using a heat gun ( about £15/borrow from friend) and strip a bit of paint back and see what the wood looks like? Again in a well ventilated area and there is the health and safety aspect re if its paint with lead in it etc. I have used this method masses and its actually very satisfying and quite therapeutic!!

BeenieCat

lol yeah the glossing thing wasn't my best moment, i was only 17 and full of ideas (well not that much has changed there :rotfl:).

I agree the wardrobes aren't nice, and i wouldn't miss them or replace them if i binned them, i have a built in cupboard with a rail for clothes in.

Would a heat gun melt the paint off? Can imagine me making a right old mess of that lol! I have a sander but no idea how it works, the ex left it behind so i'll have to find the instructions online somewhere.

Just got soooo much decorating to do that i'm wondering if i'm being a bit ambitious...

Just out of interest - do you think these would match my bed? It doesn't have to be a perfect match cos the bed is a feature of its own lol.. But these aren't walnut but seem the closest in colour in Argos.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6423849/Trail/searchtext%3EAUCKLAND+CHOCOLATE.htm

BeenieCat

Doozer i like what you did with those drawers, they look great! Bit too pink for my room though

Doozergirl

If you take the time, those drawers you have already are far better quality than the Argos ones. You can make them look lovely for less than half the cost of those Argos ones which will never look expensive and are quite obviously a dyed, cheaper, lighter wood and your bed is just gorgeous.

The rest of my bedroom is quite sober, honestly! It's not all pink.

BeenieCat

Thanks Doozer you're right and i'm inspired by yours too. I know i'll feel proud once it's done, just feels like a big task, i'm sure it won't once i start!

What kind of paint could i use to make it look like my bed?! Would i need to totally strip or do what you said and sand? Is there any alternative to staining the bare wood to get a wood effect, or am i trying to cheat a bit too much?!

susieb1967

you wont be able to paint to match walnut but you will be able to stain/ wax. ( Briwax is good as is colron stain). heat gun is easy to do-hold it on till it bubbles a bit and scrape off with scraper being careful to a)not burn the wood ( tho light scorches can be sanded out) and b) not to gouge the wood with the scraper- you get a 'feel' for this straightaway tho . What about tying in the furniture with a paint colour to match the rest of your decor and leaving the bed (which btw is v lovely) 'to stand on it's own?' What colours you thinking/ is your room?

BeenieCat

Thanks susie, good point. Not done the papering yet but will have a feature wall of cream and gold, and the other walls just a beige/creamy colour painted.

susieb1967

Ok cream good! get the same cream as walls in eggshell. Alternatively do a bit of shabby chic on your drawers-this way you can get away with a bit more !!!
1) sand whole piece well, i see from your pics there is a bit of wood poking thro the corners/edges already, sand these well
2) rub a bit of candle over JUST the areas where you want the wood to show through
3) paint whole piece, the paint wont take to the bits with candle wax
If it needs it:
4) lightly sand again with finishing paper
5) paint another coat

look at this one (:eek:)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chabby-Chic-Maple-Co-Farrow-Ball-Chinese-Blue-Chest_W0QQitemZ120483467406QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bedroom_Furniture?hash=item1c0d5fd08e

look up shabby chic restoration i am sure you will find a lot of instructions, much better than i can explain here, how to do

BeenieCat

Ooh thanks for that susie, and omg at that ebay set, i can't believe people pay those prices!!

I will get decorating should be done in a few weeks then start on the drawers, all being well