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    How to Get A Smooth Finish When Painting

    By Stacy 97 Comments

    Temperatures are above freezing (most days), the sun has been peeking out, and we have only been snowed on a couple of times the past couple of weeks, so you know what that means... It's painting time! I have had this dresser in my basement for an embarrassingly long time. I brought it over from my sister's house with the promise that I would paint it for her guest room. I finally got around to painting it and thought I would share my tips for how to get a smooth finish when painting. Plus, I have a giveaway so you can start all those projects that you have been procrastinating too!

    This post is sponsored by Homeight but all ideas, opinions, and bad Coronavirus jokes are all mine ;) This post contains affiliate links.

    BEFORE:

    This multi-shaded orange beauty was dated and in need of a refresh.

     

     

    Behold, the power of paint! My sister requested that I paint it the same color as her kitchen island. I think the dark gray was perfect.

     

    How To Get a Smooth Finish When Painting

    Proper preparation is a huge part of getting smooth results. This dresser had lots of dings and scratches that needed to be fixed before I could even think about cracking open the paint can.

     

     

    Step 1: Putty & Sand

    Putty any dings, dents, or scratches with a sandable wood putty. Overfill since most putties will shrink a little when drying. Allow it to full dry before sanding. Sand it down until it is flush with the wood surface.

    Sand the entire piece. Paint will stick better to a non-shiny surface. Plus, this helps get rid of slight imperfections such as shallow scratches or water marks as well as any dirt or grime. Start out with a 120 grit and then go over it wit a 220. If you sand with a heavy grit sandpaper, it will leave little lines that will become obvious when paint is applied. There's no need to use a sander. Hand sanding is fine. You are not trying to remove the previous finish. Make sure to sand the same direction as the wood grain.

     

     

    Step 2:  Clean

    Wipe off the dresser and make sure to get all the dust off. Paint sticks much better to a clean surface.

     

    Step 3: Set Up Work Area

    Even though the Super Finish Max has very little over spray, you will want to protect your driveway, garage, basement, etc from any paint. If you are working outside, this Spray Shelter also protects your project from getting leaves and such blown onto the wet paint. The set up is fast and easy. It is large enough to hold furniture with room to spare!

     

    Step 4: Paint!

    Choose a good quality paint, especially if the piece will get a lot of wear and tear.

    Using a paint sprayer is going to be your best bet for a super smooth finish. No matter how talented you are, you can not get this quality of a finish by brushing on paint. If you want a factory finish (or what I like to call baby butt smooth), then you really do need to use a sprayer. I used my Super Finish Max.

    It is much better to paint several thin coats of paint rather than one or two thick coats. If you apply it too heavily, you run the risk of the paint running and dripping. Apply the paint in long, even strokes going the same direction.

     

     

    Once it has dried completely (I like to let mine cure a minimum of 24 hours) you can add the hardware back on. I updated this dresser by getting new hardware.

     

     

    Can you see that baby butt finish? Aaaahhhh. Love it.

     

     

    I had to photograph it in my house instead of my sister's new guest room due to the Coronavirus and the Stay Home order. But I think it looks pretty cute here, don't you think?

     

     

    Now for the giveaway!

    HomeRight is giving one lucky reader a large Spray Shelter! Now you can paint in your shelter while you "shelter in place". Too soon? ;)

    You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You must be a resident of the USA to enter. The giveaway will go from April 3, 2020 until April 10, 2020. A winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. The shipping of the prize is the responsibility of the company, in this case, HomeRight.

    Enter below using the Rafflecopter Widget:

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

     

    PIN For Later:

     

     

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    Filed Under: DIY & Tutorials, Painting 97 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cheryl

      April 03, 2020 at 2:36 am

      I'm most excited to paint a couple of unfinished side tables.

      Reply
    2. Kathy

      April 03, 2020 at 4:06 am

      I paint pieces all the time and am most excited to paint the table/chairs I got couple months ago, waiting for nicer weather. Love your dresser.

      Reply
    3. Alina

      April 03, 2020 at 4:09 am

      I have a couple of nightstands that need some love.

      Reply
    4. A

      April 03, 2020 at 4:11 am

      The dresser turned out beautifully. I would be most excited about painting several shoe cubbies we have in both the mud room and in the garage.

      Reply
    5. Brix

      April 03, 2020 at 4:12 am

      I have a few chairs that could do with another coat of paint.

      Reply
    6. Jill Nelson

      April 03, 2020 at 4:13 am

      Now more than ever - I wish I did have one of these!

      Reply
    7. Stafford

      April 03, 2020 at 4:14 am

      I have a chandelier that I'd love to try painting.

      Reply
    8. Teresa

      April 03, 2020 at 4:26 am

      Great update!

      Reply
    9. Bobbi Abbotts

      April 03, 2020 at 4:32 am

      Gorgeous dresser!

      I have an amazing solid wood side table that needs some fresh paint!

      Reply
    10. Stacey M

      April 03, 2020 at 4:41 am

      I have been wanting to paint my foyer table...teal!

      Reply
    11. Lilly Thomas

      April 03, 2020 at 4:42 am

      Looks so pretty!! What a huge change... from old to elegant.
      I have quite a few jobs waiting for me to paint them. Love that HomeRight shelter!!!

      Reply
    12. Carla Erickson

      April 03, 2020 at 4:47 am

      I am excited to try using a paint sprayer instead of a brush for that super smooth finish!

      Reply
    13. Alexis

      April 03, 2020 at 4:49 am

      I have some shelves I need to paint. Free decor update during this corona virus time!

      Reply
    14. Anita

      April 03, 2020 at 5:09 am

      I’m going to use this advice to paint an end table. Thanks

      Reply
    15. Jill

      April 03, 2020 at 5:49 am

      Looks totally different. From average ugly to beautiful! Great Job.

      Reply
    16. Sean

      April 03, 2020 at 5:49 am

      Most excited to paint a few frames for a gallery wall.

      Reply
    17. Erin Prohaska

      April 03, 2020 at 5:53 am

      The dresser turned out great! I have an IKEA step stool that would be so cute sprayed green and then a little cabinet across the kitchen that I’d paint to match it (and swap out the hardware on). Thanks for the opportunity! ❤️

      Reply
    18. Janina

      April 03, 2020 at 6:10 am

      Great paint job. The shelter is a wonderful idea.We are moving soon and l have a bedroom set l want to paint.

      Reply
    19. PEGGY SCHMIDT

      April 03, 2020 at 6:11 am

      I would like to paint my interior doors. This would be perfect!

      Reply
    20. Lori Bowers

      April 03, 2020 at 6:34 am

      Wow! Looks so good!

      Reply
    21. Melissa Storms

      April 03, 2020 at 6:56 am

      I have had plans to paint my son's bedroom set for a long time. I am planing to put a dark gray stain on the drawer fronts and painting the body black.

      Reply
    22. Karen

      April 03, 2020 at 6:56 am

      Your dresser looks great, it's amazing the difference some paint and new hardware can make. I paint a lot of furniture and this would be a big help!

      Reply
    23. Mary B Tyner

      April 03, 2020 at 7:06 am

      I love refinishing old furniture

      Reply
    24. Rosa L. Garrett

      April 03, 2020 at 7:09 am

      I can't wait to paint my outside furniture. Thanks for the chance to win. The chest looks great! Such a dramatic change.

      Reply
    25. Cindy

      April 03, 2020 at 7:19 am

      I am just excited thinking I will soon be able to paint outside and paint and buffet I've had for years in the basement.

      Reply
    26. Julie Waldron

      April 03, 2020 at 7:23 am

      I'm most excited to paint some old dining room chairs.

      Reply
    27. Kristin Howard

      April 03, 2020 at 7:35 am

      I would love to have one of these spray painters. I recently stripped the hatch of a boat (with a sandblaster) and would love to have a spray painter to finish it. The nooks and crannies would be impossible w/out one. My soon to be coffee table would certainly benefit from a spraryer!

      Reply
    28. kathy Persons

      April 03, 2020 at 7:52 am

      My grandma had an old vanity with a huge mirror I want to refinish~

      Reply
    29. Colleen

      April 03, 2020 at 7:57 am

      I have a dresser I'd like to paint. This would be perfect!

      Reply
    30. Christine E-E

      April 03, 2020 at 8:04 am

      Oh my gosh. I have a list of items to paint. My dining room table would be my first project. I bought it 20+ years ago when I was first divorced & furnishing my condo. It’s seen a lot of use (meals, crafting, card games, jigsaw puzzles, cookie making etc) & would look great in a gray-blue paint color.

      Reply
    31. Jan

      April 03, 2020 at 8:04 am

      I’m redecorating my living room and my budget requires I repurpose some of my furniture which I will paint! This “tent” would come in so handy and make the job easier!
      Your sister’s chest turned out gorgeous!

      Reply
    32. Amber Hawkins

      April 03, 2020 at 8:21 am

      That turned out awesome and seems I need to up my game! Much faster than brush painting and looks so much nicer too, I’ll have to invest in a sprayer. Now here’s hoping I win that tent!

      Reply
    33. Lisa A.

      April 03, 2020 at 8:26 am

      I really need to clear out the garage and get painting!!

      Reply
    34. Jean

      April 03, 2020 at 8:32 am

      Not too soon! We all need to laugh!

      Reply
    35. Jennifer

      April 03, 2020 at 8:43 am

      I need to paint my baseboards.

      Reply
    36. Susan Tompkins

      April 03, 2020 at 9:00 am

      I have an entertainment Center that would be a lot easier to paint if I had a shelter and supermax sprayer ! I never thought of that technique while dreading the work involved using a paintbrush , wow!

      Reply
    37. Linda Waugh

      April 03, 2020 at 9:11 am

      I would be very appreciable if I were the special winner of this sprayer. I would certainly put it to good use with many painting projects. This sprayer would be just perfect for getting the smooth finishes I was unable to get on my pain projects in the past. Thanks so much for this opportunity!

      Reply
    38. rana durham

      April 03, 2020 at 9:13 am

      my storage box

      Reply
    39. Stacey

      April 03, 2020 at 9:19 am

      I have my grandma's dining room set...….table, six chairs, china hutch and buffet that NEED to be painted. They are waaaayyy outdated. Great giveaway!!

      Reply
    40. Amy Dusseault

      April 03, 2020 at 9:36 am

      I am going to be painting my entire kitchen- Cabinets drawers and all.

      Reply
    41. Michelle

      April 03, 2020 at 9:36 am

      I have a couple of dressers to paint myself...I have wanted one of these paint shelters for a couple of years! Thank you for the giveaway.

      Reply
    42. Danalin

      April 03, 2020 at 9:37 am

      I have several quarantine projects that this would be awesome for! :) Love the color you chose for the dresser!

      Reply
    43. Jackie Burrell

      April 03, 2020 at 9:49 am

      I am really excited to get my patio chairs painted and also the doors and drawers of my kitchen cabinets.

      Reply
    44. Allison Hyde

      April 03, 2020 at 10:00 am

      I want to get brave enough to paint my kitchen table, but I’m just not there yet!! That dresser looks so good though!

      Reply
    45. Sharon Sommer

      April 03, 2020 at 11:31 am

      I have a table to try and paint and also chairs.. I am very afraid of the overspray.

      Reply
    46. Linda C Johnston

      April 03, 2020 at 11:45 am

      I'm thinking you should negotiate your sister for this piece! lol Looks amazing! Thanks for all the valuable information. Sure would love to win this super prize!

      Reply
    47. Audrey Stewart

      April 03, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      I am wanting to paint to side chest and a cabinet.

      Reply
    48. MaryB

      April 03, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      I have a chest of drawers and two nightstands that are waiting to be painted.

      Reply
    49. ammy Cianciulli

      April 03, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      i messed up cabinet doors in my kitchen ! AUGH! have the painter but could the tent!!

      Reply
    50. Taylor First

      April 03, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      I'm most excited to paint the antique bed frame from my guest room!

      Reply
    51. Karen Anderson

      April 03, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      My garage door and back fence are overdue for a facelift!

      Reply
    52. Teresa Carter

      April 03, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      I would love to paint to night stands! Thanks for the tutorial Stacy!

      Reply
    53. Sue Gnacinski

      April 03, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      You refinished/painted that drawer set to perfection!
      The updated hardware made it amazing...I actually have drawers with the same older type...LOL
      I am ALWAYS looking for a way to paint without the overspray mess...today was one of those days.

      Reply
      • Sue Gnacinski

        April 03, 2020 at 2:00 pm

        Sorry, I didn't answer the question...LOL
        I want to repaint 2 metal plant stands that got all crappy.

        Reply
    54. Mandi

      April 03, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Ah I love this! Great work! Been thinking about repainting my kitchen table🥰

      Reply
    55. carol clark

      April 03, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      my cabinets in my bathroom

      Reply
    56. grace

      April 03, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      Wow, Stacy that dresser is gorgeous .. thank you for sharing us the process. We have similar dresser that I have been wanting to paint over - maybe I can try with your process - hoping the spray shelter would be handy ;-) Thank you for the chance!

      Reply
    57. Kelly D

      April 03, 2020 at 4:11 pm

      I want to paint my coffee table.

      Reply
    58. Tina

      April 03, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      This spray shelter looks awesome! I can see so many uses for it besides just painting with a sprayer. Wow!

      Reply
    59. Cindi

      April 03, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      I have a dining buffet from the 70's I can't wait to paint navy blue!

      Reply
    60. Anjanette

      April 03, 2020 at 6:34 pm

      I have a sofa table that needs an update in a fun new color.

      Reply
    61. angie g

      April 03, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      I'm excited to paint my daughter's dresser

      Reply
    62. Anne Marie

      April 03, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      I have a sewing table that needs paint - would be excited to make it look pretty.

      Reply
    63. Camille

      April 03, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      You have the greatest ideas and most pleasant approach. Thank you for opening my mind to possibilities...

      Reply
      • Camille

        April 03, 2020 at 7:37 pm

        I'm most excited to paint my kitchen cabinets. They are medium brown and make the room dark. I'm doing that as soon as TN "stay at home" mandate is lifted!

        Reply
    64. Elle

      April 03, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      A bookcase that I want to change the paint color on and some frames.

      Reply
    65. Tammie

      April 03, 2020 at 9:23 pm

      I would love to paint a couple of bookcases in the spray shelter. Spray painting them in the shelter would make the job go so much faster!

      Reply
    66. Lane Reynolds

      April 03, 2020 at 10:24 pm

      I love you finished piece. I would paint a three drawer dresser that I have. Also, I have a framed mirror I would like to paint.

      Reply
    67. Kristin C

      April 03, 2020 at 11:06 pm

      I have a console table. I bought a sprayer but I am afraid to use it without something to block the wind and guard other stuff. This will be perfect! Thank you!

      Reply
    68. Rebecca B

      April 04, 2020 at 12:48 am

      I need to paint all the trim in my house and a few of the doors.

      Reply
    69. Holly

      April 04, 2020 at 3:07 am

      This looks amazing!

      Reply
    70. Mary Kaiser

      April 04, 2020 at 5:54 am

      Wow that turned out so good!! Tell sister she may not get it back as it looks so good where you have it, LOL! I need to find a piece like that for my house.

      Reply
    71. Carol Freeman

      April 04, 2020 at 8:02 am

      I received the sprayer for Christmas. I have some bedroom furniture that’s needs painted. I’m looking forward to trying it out once the weather warms up some. Thanks for the instructions.

      Reply
    72. johnny hutchens

      April 04, 2020 at 10:05 am

      I am painting my deck furniture. This shelter to paint in would be wondrful.

      Reply
    73. Sandy Stevens

      April 04, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      I wish I had seen this before I had painted an old tv cabinet that I had. It would’ve turned out so much better! Oh well, next time I’ll do better! My next victim is our kitchen table!
      .

      Reply
    74. Cindy Brooks

      April 05, 2020 at 12:57 am

      I have a dresser and an end table waiting for some new paint!

      Reply
    75. L. E. Bruce

      April 05, 2020 at 11:01 am

      We just moved and now I have room to paint! I have plans for a bookcase and a small round table.

      Reply
    76. Whitney

      April 05, 2020 at 1:40 pm

      I really want to paint my kitchen cabinets!

      Reply
    77. Jamie

      April 05, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      I have a nightstand that could use a new look! The dresser looks great!

      Reply
    78. Cassie Coleman

      April 05, 2020 at 11:20 pm

      I have a dresser much like the project you show here that has needed repainted for years. I love the gray color you used.

      Reply
    79. Sue Johnson

      April 06, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Beautiful! I love to see old things made new and fresh! 😍

      Reply
    80. Lindsie

      April 06, 2020 at 12:19 pm

      The best part of this post is the shoes you are wearing while painting. Your feet are all dressed up lol!

      Reply
    81. Linda

      April 06, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      I would like to paint doors to mostly bedrooms and bathrooms for a nicer, fresher look.

      Reply
    82. Amy B Reed

      April 06, 2020 at 11:02 pm

      I have several painting projects that are on my to-do list including painting a set of end tables and repainting my interior doors and trim.

      Reply
    83. Jeremy McLaughlin

      April 07, 2020 at 9:16 am

      I am excited to paint my outdoor furniture.

      Reply
    84. Katie

      April 07, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      I want to paint an old dresser a fun color... perhaps a shade of purple!

      Reply
    85. Julie

      April 07, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      Excited to start working on my shed!

      Reply
    86. Autumn

      April 07, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      I bought the paint sprayer!! I’ve wanted one for YEARS!! Thanks for the recommendation!

      Reply
    87. Lily

      April 09, 2020 at 12:42 pm

      This would be awesome for my upcoming move!

      Reply
    88. Amanda Whitley

      April 09, 2020 at 11:44 pm

      i am excited to paint a bookcase my in laws picked up for us at the thrift store.

      Reply
    89. Tammy Catterton

      April 10, 2020 at 7:00 pm

      I have a dresser like to redo in gray or black

      Reply
    90. Celeste Herrin

      April 10, 2020 at 8:39 pm

      I am most excited to paint my coffee table! I have been putting it off, but with a spray shelter I would do it in a heartbeat!

      Reply
    91. Cassandra D

      April 10, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      The vintage dresser.

      Reply
    92. Jenny Ham

      April 10, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      Porch furniture is what I am excited to paint.

      Reply
    93. Kelly Woods

      April 10, 2020 at 9:40 pm

      My daughter's desk. Thank you 💗

      Reply
    94. Cindy@CountyRoad407

      June 30, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Looks fantastic and very smooth! Love the color too! Pinned

      Reply
    95. Donna @ Modern on Monticello

      July 06, 2020 at 1:34 pm

      I have a paint sprayer and need the reminder to use it more often instead of grabbing a brush. Thanks for a great tutorial. The color is perfect for that dresser. #HomeMattersParty

      Reply

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