Homeowners will find many things perplexing, whether home repair, a product purchase, or home decor matching. Many people wonder if they can paint a dresser black, especially those who want to breathe a new life into their old furniture.
The easiest way to paint a dresser black is to sand down the furniture using 120-grit sandpaper lightly. Paint two to three coats of satin finish interior black paint and ensure that you allow for drying times. Complete the job by applying two to three layers of protective topcoats.
But while these steps may sound straightforward, which they are, the process may still be time-consuming. You also need to know a few crucial things to ensure the results you expect from the job.
Table of Contents
- How to paint a dresser black
- What kind of paint do you use on a dresser
- Can you paint over a dresser without sanding
- Do I need primer for black paint on a wood dresser
- Is It better to paint or spray paint dresser furniture
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How to paint a dresser black
Yes, you can paint your wood dresser black. You can even do a quick paint job by just sanding, painting, then applying the topcoat. Remember that you need lots of patience to achieve the best results if you want to paint your wood dresser black.
In this article, I will outline how to do this properly.

What kind of paint do you use on a dresser
You can use two primary types of paint on a dresser: water- and oil-based. Water-based paint is ideal for wood, dries quickly, requires priming first, is easy to apply, and has low or no VOCs or volatile organic compounds. However, this is less durable.
Conversely, oil-based paint boasts good staying power and dries to achieve a hard finish. This paint is ideal for metal but may turn yellow with age and take longer to dry. This type of paint may also contain solvents dangerous to the environment.
Can you paint over a dresser without sanding
Yes, you can still paint over your dresser without sanding it first. However, you can expect much more long-lasting results if you lightly rub the dresser. If you don’t like the idea of filing down your dresser, see that it is free of any grime or grease that might make the paint come off quickly.
Make sure you use a good cleaner to remove the grime on the dresser, if there is any. You can use mineral spirits for this process, an all-purpose cleaner, or a cleaning pad that you might already have under the kitchen sink at home.
Do I need primer for black paint on a wood dresser
Painting a wood dresser in black is straightforward. However, if the wood is already very absorbent or porous, this process may become frustrating on your part. Whenever you use black paint on wood, it may look great when the paint is fresh.
However, the color might diminish to a dull gray while the wood absorbs the liquid from the paint, making it look more like a stain instead of a solid-color coating.
To prevent this problem from happening, you need to apply a primer first before painting. Tinting the primer can also help keep the wood dresser looking black and pleasant, even after a few scratches and nicks.

Is It better to paint or spray paint dresser furniture
Spray painting is faster than brush painting, making it a better option if you want to finish the process as soon as possible. Today, many spray paints are oil-based and offer a more durable finish than latex paint.
You can also use spray paint on almost any surface, such as wood, plastic, resin, wicker, and metal. Spray paint can also dry more quickly than its brushed-on counterpart.
Can you spraypaint the dresser furniture black
Yes, you can spray paint dresser furniture in black by following the simple and easy steps of sanding, painting, and adding topcoat application.
However, if you use spray paint, it is vital to be extra careful with how you paint. You can quickly spray lightly on one corner and more on another, and this uneven-looking paint job will be very noticeable.
The most common spray paint method is using the back-and-forth motion. Start from one corner, then quickly and evenly spray to the other. Let go of the spray button after passing the edge. Spray flat while facing the surface to achieve an even-level paint job.
Some designs and corners may be tricky to spray, and it may take some time to familiarize yourself with your furniture. You can watch several videos to learn how to properly spray paint your dresser black.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there black chalk paint
Since the Annie Sloan company initially introduced it in the 90s, chalk paint has earned a spot becoming a staple in DIY projects. Chalk paint is a versatile and unique type of paint you can use to achieve any look without too much effort. People are now discovering different and exciting ways of adapting this paint to complement their existing décor styles.
However, one chalk paint color that many people often overlook when planning a home decoration project is none other than black. They don’t realize that black chalk paint is among today’s most versatile paint colors since it goes well with just about any color scheme. You can also use it to add a touch of chic and elegance to any room or use it to add more range and depth.
Black chalk paint is also the best way to make your furniture look more modern or create a more dominant vintage appearance for a furniture piece. Using this paint is also very easy; you can paint it on almost any surface without much preparation.
Is milk paint or chalk paint better
The decision of which is better between chalk paint and milk paint will depend on the specific effect that you want to achieve, and this will also depend on the particular color you wish to produce. So far, milk paint will work better when used as a paint wash.
Milk paint can also work well to thin out other paint or achieve a chipped and rustic style with a very light sheen. Mix milk paint pigments to come up with any shade you like.
On the other hand, chalk paint is a better choice if you want a thicker and more even finish with a matte appearance. Although color mixing and options are slightly limited, they can also give off a more realistic antique appearance.
How do you paint furniture without leaving brush marks
You can do a few things to ensure you don’t leave brush marks when painting furniture. For starters, ensure that you only use synthetic brushes for the project. Also, use the correct size brush suitable for the surface.
Sand lightly between coats and apply the paint thinly without brushing too much over it. Finally, be careful with paint drying faster than necessary.
- About the Author
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation. To see the entire team at Evolutdesign.com, visit Our Team page.