How do I refinish an old nightstand to a high gloss?

Anita
by Anita

I want to refinish an old nightstand to a high gloss finish. Don’t know where to start.

  7 answers
  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Jan 02, 2019

    Was it stained or painted previously? Usually you can just paint it the type paint you want if so.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 02, 2019

    Wood?

    • Anita Anita on Jan 03, 2019

      Yes. I know I will need to sand it. I just want it to have a high gloss, to give it depth.

  • Zac Builds Zac Builds on Jan 02, 2019

    You'll have to start by sanding off the existing finish. Get the wood back to a raw state and then you can go about applying your new finish.

  • It will depend on the existing finish currently which you may have to sand or strip off. If it's a laminate, you'll need a bonding primer to paint over it. If it was previously painted, you can paint over it.

  • Erika Kirby Erika Kirby on Jan 02, 2019

    I converted a 1970s octagon nightstand into a dog bed. It had a lot of nooks and crannies, so I didn't want to have to sand it. I went to ACE hardware and bought a spray can of primer. I bought outdoor paint meant for shutters and trim. I wiped the nightstand down with warm, soapy water and let it air dry overnight. The second day I put a sturdy cardboard box down, covered it with a tarp, and set the nightstand on top so that the bottom of it would not be touching the floor. I sprayed it with 2 coats of primer, letting it dry an hour between coats. The third day I brushed on 2 coats of the shutter paint, and it is beautiful. The shutter paint is glossy enough for my taste, but you could probably add a coat of poly if you still wanted more gloss. Good luck!

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 03, 2019

    Just remember that the glossier the finish, the more it will show any underlying imperfections and any future wear and tear.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Jan 03, 2019

    High gloss water base polyurethane oil base will yellow over time. I did a wood nightstand back in 70's and the high gloss is still shiny to this day here's some tips https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/finishing/polyurethane Here's some videos for more help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96KywJlZ9g4 MORE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpUBzF0LSnM ANOTHER