Paint an vintage sideboard

Brighten up an old piece of furniture with some vibrant colour!

Resene upcycling for good with Sarah Herring - Project 55

You will need: Sandpaper and/or electric sander, testpot brushes, painter’s masking tape and scissors, Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in your choice of colour – Sarah used Resene Big Stone and Resene Bounty, Resene Aquaclear Natural, Resene testpots in your choice of colour – Sarah used Resene Gold (metallic) and Resene Shabby Chic.

Top tip: If you prefer a higher gloss finish, use Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel instead of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. For an even flatter finish, use Resene SpaceCote Flat.

Before

After

Step one
Always check old furniture items for any repairs they might need before you start painting. This sideboard was in excellent condition, with no need for repairs. However the timber had some old stain on it, so it needed to be sanded back thoroughly before any paint could be applied. You could either sand this back by hand with sandpaper, or use an electric sander if you have access to one. Sarah sanded all the surfaces that would be painted and wiped them clean. She also wrapped masking tape over the drawer hardware before painting too.

Step two
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat to all the surfaces that will be painted.

Step three
Once the primer is dry, apply two coats of your chosen colours. Sarah decided to use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen for a relaxed, matte finish tinted to Big Stone for the main unit and Resene Bounty on the drawers for a cool, retro vibe that really suits this item.

Step four
To add a surprise pop of colour and for a bit of fun, mask out a diagonal stripe design on the inside of each drawer with some painter’s masking tape. Sarah made up the design as she went along but you could mask out a shape, text or just paint freehand! If you are taping, once the tape in in place, paint your design with a Resene testpot. Sarah used Resene Gold metallic in one drawer and Resene Shabby Chic on the other. Once touch dry carefully remove the masking tape.

Step five
You can leave it as is, or apply a clear finish. Sarah applied Resene Aquaclear Natural for extra protection and to maintain the matte finish. And there you have it! With a bit of TLC and careful colour choice, old pieces of furniture like this one can easily be revived and renewed.

Although this was a beautiful piece of solid, sturdy furniture, it had some fading and imperfections to the timber that couldn’t be sanded out. Sometimes if you can’t restore timber back to its original glory, a fantastic paint job is the next best option for breathing new life into old wooden furniture.

Upcycling for Good

You can find a huge range of treasures, from ornaments and picture frames, to furniture and toys at your local Salvation Army store that you can easily upcycle with a little Resene paint and some imagination.

"Our Family Stores are full of treasures generously donated by members of the public. We value these donations and try our hardest to re-purpose and sell as much as possible. We’re all about re-using and recycling, so teaming up with Resene on Upcycling for Good was a perfect match. Resene’s products and tips are a natural fit with our pre-loved furniture and accessories, which are usually great quality but could sometimes do with a lick of paint to ensure they fly off the shelves.

Each year, nationally, our stores save 16,000 tonnes from landfill. This initiative increases the value of the donated product, improves the range of goods for our customers, and furthers The Salvation Army’s mission and Resene’s community activity.” Gareth Marshall, The Salvation Army's National Family Store Manager.

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Resene Paints (Australia) Limited – www.resene.com