How to Give a Pine Wardrobe a Makeover with Colorantic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Do you have an old solid pine dresser gathering dust in your home? With its honey-coloured varnish finish, this type of sturdy furniture often needs a modern makeover. Fortunately, furniture refinishing is the ideal, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution for transforming your home.

At Colorantic, we’ve put together a practical and detailed guide to help you give your pine wardrobe a new lease on life using our chalk paint and locally sourced prep products. Follow the guide!

Products You’ll Need

To achieve professional-quality results, it’s essential to use the right tools. Here’s your Colorantic shopping list:

• TSP Colorantic Cleaner and Varnish Remover
• Oil-based primer (highly recommended for pine)
• Colorantic Chalk Paint ( Colour Zen or the shade of your choice)
• Sandblasting block 2 grains

• Colorantic Natural Beeswax (8 oz)

• Colorantic Wax Brush (16 mm)

• Colorantic Velvet-Finish Foam Roller Set

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Removing the Hardware

Before reaching for your paintbrushes, remove all handles, hinges, and adjustable shelves from your cabinet. Safely store all the hardware in a well-labelled container to avoid losing any small screws.

Step 2: Deep Cleaning with TSP

A successful paint project always begins with a spotless surface. Spray the entire cabinet with Colorantic TSP Cleaner. Pay close attention to areas around the handles, moldings, and any greasy spots. Let it work its magic and dry for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe it down with a damp cotton cloth. Allow it to dry for another 10 minutes.

Step 3: Preparing the Surface (Light Sanding)

Using the Colorantic Dual-Grit Sanding Block, gently scuff-sand all the varnished surfaces. The goal here is not to strip the wood down to its bare state, but simply to remove the gloss from the old varnish to maximize paint adhesion. Choose the appropriate grit side of the block depending on your cabinet’s condition. Wipe away all the dust with a clean, dry or damp cloth.

Step 4: Applying the Primer

💡 Pro Tip: Pine is an incredibly resinous wood. If you skip this step, the knots in the wood will eventually bleed through, creating yellow stains on your fresh paint.

Apply an even coat of oil-based primer to seal in the tannins. Allow it to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s recommended drying time.

Step 5: The First Coat of Chalk-Based Paint

Step 6: The Second Coat for Perfect Opacity

Apply a second coat of chalk paint to seal the colour. Let it dry for 1 to 2 hours. If your pine was very dark, you can add a third coat for perfectly opaque, even coverage.

Step 7: Protecting with Clear Natural Wax

Once the paint is completely dry, it is time to protect your hard work:

1. Load a small amount of Colorantic Clear Natural Wax onto your 16 mm wax brush.

2. Apply a very thin layer using circular motions, then finish by brushing in the direction of the wood grain, working in small sections.

3. Let the wax penetrate the paint film for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Wipe away any excess product with a clean, dry cotton cloth.

5. After 30 to 60 minutes, buff the surface with a clean cloth to reveal a soft, satin finish. (For high-traffic surfaces, apply a second coat once the first has completely dried).

Step 8: Reassembling Your Cabinet

Maintenance Tip to Protect Your Revamped Furniture

• Be Patient: Avoid any contact with water or cleaning products during the first few days. The wax will reach its maximum hardness and durability after a few weeks.

• Daily Care:Simply wipe the surface down using a soft, slightly damp cloth.

• Refreshing the Finish: Depending on usage, apply a new, thin coat of clear wax every year or two to refresh the protection of your piece.

Ready to start your project? Visit our online shop to order your Colorantic products and share your before-and-after transformations with our community!

Manon Cameron

Furniture Refinisher & Colorantic Customer