As promised... here's the full recap of my newly refinished armoire.
I started out by doing a TON of research about different methods... I really wanted a high-gloss, lacquer-like finish, but without an excessive amount of sanding and smelly toxic paint. (Oil-based lacquer in a small apartment with very little airflow was not exactly an option. This was not a project I wanted to lose roommates over.) And so, I settled on a latex high-gloss enamel paint from Benjamin Moore, that is quick drying, low-odor, and can be cleaned up easily with soap and water. (Not that I had any spills or anything.) I primed with Benjamin Moore Fresh Start, that I had tinted at the paint store so that it wasn't bright white. Step by step, here's what I did:
1. Wipe down the piece with a cloth to remove any dirt/dust. Remove hardware.
2. Sand lightly with a medium-grit sanding sponge.
3. Cover with one coat of primer, let dry (I left it overnight).
4. Paint! I used a mini foam roller for the larger portions, and a brush to get the details.
5. Let dry (again, I left it overnight).
6. Apply a second coat. I was more generous with my paint on this application than on the first.
7. Let dry!
8. Put hardware back on.
9. Admire your handiwork!
Things to note- I removed the cabinet doors and painted them separately. I bought a gallon of paint, but could have gotten away with a quart (lesson learned). If you've been reading for a while, you'll remember that
I found the brass lion-head hardware for cheap on eBay.
For a first-time project, I LOVE how this turned out. There are certainly some imperfections, but overall it looks really awesome - it's now one of my favorite pieces of furniture!! And since I have a ton of paint leftover, I don't see this being my last DIY project.
Hope you enjoyed!
