Rustic Knechtel Sideboard/ Buffet

Knechtel Furniture Company, a Canadian company, manufactured furniture that is so well made. They really have stood the test of time. The previous owner of this sideboard really just wanted to know that her piece was going to be taken care of.

Materials used:

• Zinsser Cover Primer
• Annie Sloan Original white chalk paint
• Annie Sloan white wax
• General Finishes Java gel stain
• General Finishes top coat
• 120 grit sanding sponge/block
• 80 grit sandpaper square
• Krud Kutter clean & degreaser

For a list of basic chalk paint supplies I typically use, click here.

How I refinished this piece:

1. Clean the top with Krud Kutter. Especially when staining, it’s so important to get the surface free of all dirt and grime that has built up over the years.
2. Tape the underside so that no stain gets on the bottom half.

3. Lightly sand the top with the grain using a 120 grit sanding sponge. After sanding, use a lint free towel/ cloth to wipe away the dust.

4. Using a foam brush, apply a thin coat of stain. Once the area is covered, use a blue shop towel to remove the excess. Let sit overnight.
5. Lightly sand, wipe excess, let dry. Repeat letting the stain dry for 12-24 hours before reapplying. This piece took 7 coats of stain because I didn’t want any of the wood grain to show. When it’s the desired stain, let sit overnight.
6. Apply top coat.

7. Remove the drawers and doors as well as all necessary hardware (pulls, knobs, hinges). Put the hardware aside. Wash the doors and drawers and the base with a mixture of blue Dawn dish soap and hot water. Be sure not to leave any residue.
8. Once dry, tape all edges.
9. Using a paint brush, apply an oil based primer just as you would paint. While it says that it only takes an hour to dry, let set overnight just to be sure. Apply two coats.
   • Note: When I first started painting and used lighter colours, I never ever used primer and occasionally I would get bleed through. My local stockist has warned me that using primer potentially could cause chipping but I haven’t had that problem. I like using it because it saves me from doing 4 coats of actual paint – and that saves me money. Plus, it helps in case there is possible bleed through!
   • TIP: To clean the brush used for priming, let the bristles sit submerged for a couple of hours in mineral spirits. Remove, rinse and then wash with dish soap.

10. After two coats of primer, it’s time to paint. Apply a thin coat of paint. Wait until dry between coats. It will usually feel dry to the touch after a half hour but I wait a couple hours between coats.

11. To distress, use your 80 grit sandpaper square, run it over the edges of the frame, doors and drawers as well as the raised pieces on the doors and drawers – anywhere that a piece could realistically wear down.
    • Note: If you’re going to distress your piece, it’s best to do it before you wax. That way, if you screw up, you can just paint over it!

11. When you’re done distressing, wipe away any dust.
12. After the paint sets overnight, wax the painted areas. For more information on how to apply the wax, click here.
13. Give the wax overnight to set and then remove the tape.
14. Install the door and drawer hardware.
15. Put the doors and drawers back into place.