Have you ever came across a sad, dated piece of furniture that you know has great bones but needs a breath of fresh air by way of PAINT?! That’s exactly what happened when I saw this vintage Century dresser on Craigslist. I knew instantly this dresser would look stunning in high gloss pink.
Hang with me as I show you how to paint high gloss finish on wood furniture using Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant.
Painting Furniture: How To Get High Gloss Finish on Wood
Here’s a quick run down of the steps involved in painting with high gloss. Some of these links are affiliates.
Download a free copy of The Glossy Furniture Guide which includes a full list of everything you need!
- Clean the entire piece using a mixture of hot water and TSP
- Fill imperfections using Bondo Spot Putty
- Sand all surfaces with 220 grit sandpaper (an electric orbital sander is best, I have this Mirka and love it)
- Neatly tape up surfaces you don’t want to paint (i.e. drawer cavities and drawer sides. I use this hand masking tool to apply the tape to paper and it’s the best thing since sliced bread!)
- Prime with oil base primer (This Oil Undercoat/Primer by Fine Paints of Europe is THE best)
- Another round of filling any imperfections and/or grain
- Sand flat using 400 grit paper
- Clean very well using Denatured Alcohol and clean microfiber rags
- Prime a second time
- Sand flat starting with 400 grit
- Clean well using Denatured Alcohol
- Spray first coat of Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant
- Sand first coat with 600
- Spray second coat of Hollandlac Brilliant
- At this point, you’re hopefully finished as long as everything looks good!!
- OPTIONAL: If you’d like to know HOW TO WET SAND AND POLISH the paint finish click on over for a full tutorial.
I used this DeVilbiss Finish Line 4 spray gun. It’s a great starter gun for oil base paint and painting high gloss furniture if you’re a beginner.
**Don’t miss out on getting The Glossy Furniture Guide! It’s free to download. What I would’ve given to have this resource when I was just starting out learning how to paint furniture in high gloss!
This paint was matched to Benjamin Moore Peony. Such a great color!
Peony Pink Century Dresser Reveal
What do you think? It’s hard to beat a high gloss paint finish on vintage furniture. I couldn’t love it more.
Download a free copy of The Glossy Furniture Guide
Check out my latest YouTube Videos where I show more about painting high gloss furniture with Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant…
You also might enjoy these posts of glossy pieces:
xo Kayla
**Update
Here’s a new video I’ve recently uploaded to YouTube. Watch how I update a vintage dresser using Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant.
Hi, I love the way your lacquered pieces have turned out. Absolutely beautiful. Just wanted to know if this combination of paints have to be sprayed on? Can one also use a foam roller? Thanks so much
Ann, this paint doesn’t have to be sprayed, but it is my preferred method so there are not brush marks. You can try to brush it, I would avoid a roller, but a high quality brush will work! Thanks for your comment:) xo Kayla
Hi Kayla!
This post is super helpful!! I just picked up a few pieces from a Craigslist buy and have been reading up on how to tackle this project…given that I am a newbie and have never done this!! I actually do have a couple questions! One, I have six real bamboo chippendale chairs that are in amazing condition. What method would you recommend to achieve the high gloss lacquer look being that there are so many curves with these chairs? Also, do you have any first time tips that you would recommend doing? ANY help or suggestions from a pro is greatly appreciated!!!
Hi Libby! My first suggestion would be, don’t take on your chairs for your first project! Do one or two smaller projects to get the feel for doing it. Chairs can be a beast! I’d definitely recommend spraying them if at all possible!
Absolutely stunning! Do you also do any sort of clear top coat on this paint. It’s so delicious looking, I’d be terrified to put anything on it! Been an upcycler for about 5 years now but still terrified to try this high gloss.
Thanks Cheryl! Zero topcoat:) No topcoat is needed! High gloss is tricky, it’s true. But like you said, it’s so delicious!!! xo
I would love to do this to my bedroom furniture not sure I could pull it off and don’t have money to get you course on how too but OMG you have so much talent it is just beautiful
Wait!! Shut the front door!! You have a course??
How gorgeous is that!!!
Hi Kayla, Your work is so beautiful!! I want to paint my buffet in white high gloss but I have no idea how to thinner the paint. I was reading the direction of the Fine Paint of Europa can and is no direction there. can you please advice me how to to do it. Thank you.
I use anywhere between 10-30% mineral spirits to thin. It depends on many variables. Start with 10% and test…then go up in increments of 5% from there. Hope this helps! xo
Hey if i use a water based enamel would each coat of paint still stick if using 1000 grit between coats ? And you wet sand the peice always when using 1000 grit up ?
This paint is exactly what I want for my front door! What Fine Paint of Europe color did you use? I’m having a hard time finding their swatches.
Hey Rachel, I don’t normally use colors by Fine Paints. I typically use a color from Sherwin or Ben Moore and I tell Fine Paints which one and they will color match it for me! Best of luck to you! Fine Paints on a front door is to die for!!!!
xo Kayla
For painting glossy furniture, I know you spray the top coat, but do you also use a sprayer for the primer?
Yes ma’am
Can you tell me what the draw is with the Fine Paints gloss?
Thank you
Hi Paula, I’m not 100% sure exactly what you mean by “draw”, but if you mean, what makes it my preferred paint choice…then my answer is this. Look at it! It’s beautiful!! It’s the highest quality paint in the world. It’s made in Amsterdam, and for centuries the Dutch have been the world’s leader of paint creation and manufacturing. Their quality of pigments is unmatched. And they don’t fill their paint full of garbage and fillers to make it cheaper. It’s true, unfiltered pigment which gives the absolute best, lasting luster and depth of color you’ll find in any brand period.
Hopefully this helps shed light on why I love it so much. Thanks for your comment! xo
Gorgeous!
Hi! What is your method, and products used, for the hardware?
Thanks!
How do you brighten the hardware… knobs, drawers pull, etc. Spray paint?
Gorgeous gorgeous job……..my new project come summer!
Wow! I love the outcome. Great project, indeed!