Instructions for renovating a vintage bureau

Make new things out of old - see how in just a few steps an old bureau can be transformed into a real piece of treasure. It will gladden the heart of any vintage furniture enthusiast.

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Wood filler
  • Sandpaper with 180 - 220 grain

Step by step instructions

Step 1 of 6: Prepare the bureau

Prepare the bureau

Position the bureau so it is accessible from all sides. Remove any drawers or small doors. Unscrew the handles and fittings from the drawers.

Step 2 of 6: Sand the bureau down

Sand the bureau down

Sand off all the old paint from the bureau. We recommend 180-220 grit sandpaper for this. If you have one, a suitable sanding machine such as an orbital sander can be used (left image), otherwise sand the bureau manually using a sanding block. While sanding, pay particular attention to the edges near the floor: they are often quite splintered and need touching up. Carefully brush off the dust and clean the bureau with a microfibre cloth (right image).

Sand the bureau down

Sand off all the old paint from the bureau. We recommend 180-220 grit sandpaper for this. If you have one, a suitable sanding machine such as an orbital sander can be used (left image), otherwise sand the bureau manually using a sanding block. While sanding, pay particular attention to the edges near the floor: they are often quite splintered and need touching up. Carefully brush off the dust and clean the bureau with a microfibre cloth (right image).

Step 3 of 6: Cover and mask

Cover and mask

Mask all of the areas that are not being primed with masking tape and film. Position the bureau on a surface that does not mark, such as newspaper, cardboard or a dust sheet.

Step 4 of 6: Spraying on the primer

Spraying on the primer

Using a piece of cardboard, carry out a test spray and select the correct setting on the spray nozzle: a horizontal jet to work from top to bottom, vertical for right to left or detailed for particularly intricate areas. The volume of paint can be fully adjusted using a dial on the trigger and the volume of air can be set on the turbine. Starting with the corners, edges and angles, then prime the surfaces.

Important: move the spray gun at a consistent speed and maintain a distance of around 15 cm.

Step 5 of 6: Touch up any damaged areas

Touch up any damaged areas

Allow the primer to dry in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and touch up any damaged areas with a special wood filler (left image). Two-component fillers systems are a particularly easy solution, thanks to an integrated measuring mechanism which ensures the correct volume ratio for each of the two components. Smooth the touched-up areas again with suitable sandpaper and remove as much of the resulting dust as possible (right image). Prime the touched-up areas again and then sand with 220 grit sandpaper and remove the dust. The bureau is now ready for the paint coating.

Touch up any damaged areas

Allow the primer to dry in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and touch up any damaged areas with a special wood filler (left image). Two-component fillers systems are a particularly easy solution, thanks to an integrated measuring mechanism which ensures the correct volume ratio for each of the two components. Smooth the touched-up areas again with suitable sandpaper and remove as much of the resulting dust as possible (right image). Prime the touched-up areas again and then sand with 220 grit sandpaper and remove the dust. The bureau is now ready for the paint coating.

Step 6 of 6: Painting the bureau

Painting the bureau

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the paint and pour it into the spraying attachment, then carry out a test spray – in the same way as you did for the primer. Start with the corners, edges and angles when painting and then continue with the undersides of the surfaces. To finish, spray the visible surfaces. For best results, keep the trigger pressed and move the spray gun at a consistent speed, maintaining a constant distance of around 15 cm from the surface. When spraying, also take care to ensure that the spray direction is only changed past the edge of the spraying surface.

Once the paint is fully dried (note the manufacturer's instructions), the drawers, handles and fittings can be reattached. Your old bureau can shine again once more.

The result: a real piece of treasure

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