Vintage Black Nightstands | Perfect Black Finish to match Passages bed

So, you buy a new bed, but you want to make your nightstands match your Passages vintage black bed. This is what a friend was going through. She didn’t want to drop the extra money to buy vintage black nightstands. She asked me if I could make her old ones match her new bed. Yes, I can do that I responded.

The old nightstands were in decent shape, and they would be the perfect choice to turn into vintage black nightstands to match the Passages bed. Let's see how it all comes together because this pair of nightstands will be transformed right before your eyes!

Newly Painted Vintage Black Nightstands

How to Get a Vintage-Looking Paint Finish

Your first step in any furniture painting project should be cleaning. Use a dust brush to whisk away dirt particles, then a cleaner/degreaser to wipe away dirt, grime, and any residual furniture wax left behind. Depending on your paint, you may need to do a light sanding. But that was not the case with the color used on these nightstands.

Finish Max Paint Sprayer

Remove hardware and prepare to paint. Want to save wear and tear on your back? Raising your project off the ground will give you more control over where your paint is applied. For these nightstands, the goal is a vintage black with gentle distressing.

One light coat of General Finishes Lamp Black paint was sprayed on the nightstands. The paint dried very quickly, and a gentle wet distressing was done immediately on random areas.

The original nozzle (Green 2.0 mm)  was used to ensure a very light paint coat was applied. Wiping off the nozzle with a cloth in between coats is easy if you remove the cap.

After the distressing was done on the base coat, a second light coat was added with the Super Finish Max. Don't forget, several light coats are so much better than a couple of heavy coats.

Light Distressing using a Damp Cloth

Distressing with a wet cloth is best done with a light touch, however, with a good quality paint and the professional finish from this sprayer. However, it may take a little more effort.

So, did you know that you can spray your original hardware with your Finish Max?

This method works great if you want your hardware to match your furniture project. Perhaps you prefer spray paint? But this method will allow you to match the paint to your furniture project.

How to Clean a Finish Max Paint Sprayer

When the job was finished, the paint cup was washed with water then filled with water to spray through the pickup tube and nozzle.

Cleaning your paint sprayer thoroughly after each use will ensure it’s ready to work for you again on your next project.

Freshly painted black nightstands

I had never used this paint before, but I like it. Generally, when I do gentle distressing, I use emery boards. But to get the look to match the new Passages bed, I needed a different look in the distressing. I grabbed a wet cloth, distressed after the first coat and again after the second coat.

Between the quality paint and the excellent job of the Super Finish Max –distressing was a little difficult. So, although I call it gentle distressing, I did have to work a little to get the paint off.

Use brown paper to smooth paint finish on vintage black nightstands

I like to use packing paper to burnish the top of my painted pieces to make them smooth after painting. Typically, I would sand in between coats, but it wasn't necessary because I was doing such a light paint on these nightstands. Do you see the hint of brown peeking through the paint?

You may notice that where I wet distressed on the fluting has a whiteish look. I’m getting ready to take care of that!

Secrets to getting an excellent wax job on painted furniture

After the paint dried, it was time to wax. I used a clear wax with a car wash sponge. Do you want to know the secret to easy waxing of furniture? The key to getting the perfect waxing is to dampen your sponge slightly. It makes applying the wax so much easier.

How much wax do I use on painted furniture?

Do you worry that you might be using too much wax or not enough? My best advice for that is this—the wax should be set up very quickly. But by the time you’re finished waxing your vintage black nightstands, you should be able to wipe/buff the wax you applied first. For years, I hated waxing and buffing. But now that I know the two secrets to waxing furniture correctly, it’s not so bad. While applying and wiping off the wax, it’s easy to follow through with more gentle distressing as needed.

To recap the two secrets to achieving a great finish using wax.

1. Use a damp sponge.
2. Apply wax with a light hand—if it’s not ready to buff right off, you’re probably using too much.

After I finished the vintage black nightstands, I sent this picture to Kelly. She loves the new look of her old nightstands. It was good to get the paint sprayer out and use some paint other than my chalky paint primer.

Don't you absolutely LOVE the new look of the vintage black nightstands?

Don’t they look so much better?

gail