How to refurbish night stands

Clean them with TSP or similar and let dry thoroughly. Then use a prime coat, possibly two for best coverage, then your desired color. Then I would seal with a couple coats of polyurethane for good measure. I have pets and sometimes have water, tea or coffee in bed, spills happen . . . Another set of nightstands I painted in a high gloss paint and did not use any poly and are still in service today. Me, personally, not a fan of all in one paint, yet many have achieved excellent results.

Hi Joann

I assume they are wood or some type of wood - the paint you use depends on if they are wood or if they are laminate.

You could always use chalk paint as well

Here is info for both:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdIHPsEv6Hs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFI6LhoV05Q

You can use chalk paint

Hi there, after cleaning them thoroughly lightly sand them with fine grit sand paper and then clean thoroughly one more time. After that a acrylic stain blocking primer will guarantee you won't have any bleed through of the original finish through your new finish. Then do at least two coats of the gray paint you're using. After that I would also add a couple of coats of a plycrylic clear sealer to protect your work.

Here are some ways

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=Furniture%20in%20Paint

You can use chalk paint JoAnn with very little or no prep. If your nightstands are laminate you do need to prime them first. I would sand them lightly with a fine grit sandpaper just to dull the surface so it's not shiny. You can spray the primer or use a brush. Then move on to your chalk paint. If your nightstands are wood with a poly finish I would also sand lightly and then just move to the chalk paint. There are a few different gray colors available in chalk paint from different makers. I do like to use Annie Sloan for my own furniture. I know it's more expensive but it's worth it! You will have to finish over chalk paint with either a wax or a waterbased poly to protect your chalk paint from scratching and absorbing things that might be set down on top. My nightstands were painted with Old White Annie Sloan and waxed. I just wipe the tops off with a damp cloth and dry. It's been 5 years and I have not had to wax them again yet.

JoAnn: here's what I did with my chest. Have fun!

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/basement/furniture/painted-furniture-cedar-lined-trunk-44243960

I am not a fan of chalk paint. If you want the painted look, you can get a good bonding primer, and then paint if the nightstands have no sealer on them. If they do, lightly sand and then prime and paint.

If they are already finished, which it sounds like, lightly sand the factory finish, wipe it down with a tack cloth or damp microfiber cloth to remove all the sawdust. Apply a sealer like Kilz, and then paint. A clear water based sealer will protect your new finish. Good luck and stay safe!

Paint it - and you can use something like Oil Bond so you don't have to sand! Check out how I used it over here: https://happydealhappyday.com/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-without-sanding/

I would definitely try painting them with chalk paint. I used DecoArt chalky finish paint on an old standing oak jewelry chest of drawers, and it came out great: https://momhomeguide.com/chalk-painted-jewelry-chest/

Scuff with steel wool and wipe with denatured alcohol. Then you are ready to prime and paint.

You can spray paint over the finish but it may wear over time. A good sanding primer should give you a nice base then paint over it.