When painting a dresser, how do you keep the dresser drawers from sticking?

Question

i repainted my daughter's nightstand and it is nearly impossible to open now. This weekend I finished her dresser, and I am fearful the same might happen.

Answer 1

use a candle and rub the wax on the back side of the drawer that touches the bureau. also if the runners on the bureau are wooden then also rub the wax on those so it will help it glide a lot easier. if the wax does not work well on the sticking then you will probably have to put a clear coat on or clear coat it with modge podge. Next time when you paint a bureau, only paint the front of the drawer.

Answer 2

Always remove the drawers before painting a cabinet.

Drawers usually have a small gap between them and the frame of the cabinet.  The paint build-up in that gap can "glue" the drawer into the cabinet if you get paint in that gap.  If the cabinet has been repainted too many times and the drawers fit tightly, you may need to strip the woodwork before painting the inside edges of the frame.

Let everything dry thoroughly.  I recommend oil-based (Alkyd) enamels for furniture, as it wears better.  As long as the temperature is not too cold or damp, your furniture should be ready to use in about a week.  Be wary that enamel paint dries on the surface and may seem hard, but is actually still soft underneath and will continue to harden over the next month or so.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Don't be afraid.   It WILL happen again "guanranteed"

Answer 4

Use a little vasoline.  But you should wait a couple more days to put the drawers in.

Answer 5

As a house painter for many years, naturally you remove the dresser draws first then paint them until completely dry, then buy a can of silicon spray which is a nonmetallic chemical and spray the sides of the draws. Silicon can be used any place in the homes or car to make things ride smoother. Also it last for a long time. Buy it at hardware stores, Home Depot and auto supplies.