This MCM dresser was in great condition, the perfect candidate for a Milk Paint by Fusion Makeover. We’re going to liven it up and give it a fresh new look with Monterey. We want to showcase the amazing original hardware and at the same time leave a bit of the original wood stain. AND we’re going to show you an easy way to change the wood stain colour with little to no prep in this MCM Dresser Makeover!

Here’s what you need to get the job done:

• TSP Alternative
• 120 and 220 grit sandpaper
• Monterey Milk Paint 
• Water
• Cup and Whisk for Mixing Milk Paint
• Fusion Ultra Grip
• Staalmeester Flat Ultimate Brush
• Chip Brush
• Matte Clear Tough Coat
• Gel Stain and Topcoat – Double Espresso

The Prep: MCM Dresser Makeover

To start our makeover we cleaned the whole piece with Fusion TSP Alternative mixed with water. This small bottle is a biodegradable, concentrated formulation that will remove dirt grime and grease that old pieces tend to have on them.

Once we cleaned our piece, we gave it a light sanding. The original finish was really shiny so we gave it a good sanding all over to remove that shiny gloss finish and to ensure our paint would adhere properly without any chipping.  We wanted a sleek modern finish.  After sanding we wiped it down to remove any dust and began painting.

Mixing Your Milk Paint

We mixed roughly equal parts of Monterey Fusion Milk Paint and water with a whisk.

Just add water – it’s truly that easy! Stir 1-part water to 1-part powder and you’re good to go…  It may seem intimidating to use milk paint because of the mixing aspect – but don’t be discouraged. Rather, think of it as a chance to really get involved in the process.

We’ve refined our recipe over the years making it easier than ever to work with. The best part is that our Milk Paint formula is shelf-stable, so you only need to mix what you need. The rest will be ready for your next project. 

We applied two coats of paint with different Staalmeester brushes.  Because the top had such a large surface we used the wide flat ultimate brush which covers large surfaces quickly and allows continuous long strokes.  For the rest of the piece, we used the Staalmeester round brush which is great for getting into smaller areas.

Here is a helpful video showing you the step to achieve a smooth finish.

Applying the Milk Paint

Your first coat will look slightly transparent. If it’s too transparent your mix is too thin, be sure to add a bit more Milk Paint powder and stir then continue painting. You should be able to achieve full coverage in 2 coats. 

Each coat dries in about 20 minutes. You can see as the paint dries it looks matte and chalky. Here in this photo, we’re applying a second coat, you can see how much better the coverage is already. Any brush strokes or clump can easily be brushed out. Once you have applied your desired number of coats, for this piece we only needed 2 for full coverage, lightly sand the top and body of the dresser with a 220 grit sanding block to smooth out any bumps and then wiped it clean.

The Finish

We wanted a durable finish so we opted to seal the dresser with Fusions Matte Tough Coat. We gently stirred the tough coat and sealed the dresser with one coat. 

You can really see the colour come to life with your top coat added. Not only does it become more vibrant in colour, but you’re also protecting your piece from any potential water damage. 

We wanted to keep some of the original stain finish on the bottom frame but after seeing the newness of the paint, the bottom was looking a little tired.  An easy refresh is to apply Gel Stain and Topcoat in Double Espresso with a chip brush over the original stain.

Our Gel Stain and Topcoat is a one-step combination product which is a little bit of stain mixed into a durable topcoat. Some of the colours can be a thick gel or a thin consistency. As you stir the product it becomes less gel-like and is easy to brush on. Multiple coats will create a more opaque finish but the sheen will remain matte. Keep in mind your substrate colour will always show through, however, the more coats you apply the more opaque it will become, except for Patina as it is our “clear”.

Revealing: The MCM Dresser Makeover

We love this new makeover and are amazed how much more you can appreciate the original hardware.

Just a few fun facts…

Milk Paint is one of the best-kept secrets, and now we’re sharing all the amazing benefits with you:

• Just add water – it’s that easy! Just mix and go.
• Our formula is safe for anyone to use.
• Novice or pro – whether you’re a first-time painter or a seasoned pro, you’ve got this. 
• 30 minutes to cure – it’s the fastest drying paint on the market. Our Milk Paint cures in less time than it takes to stream an episode of your favourite show. Your time is precious, so go ahead and get your top coat ready.
• Planet-friendly – our Milk Paint lasts forever, just mix the amount you want to use and save the rest for your next project.

Join us over on Pinterest for more Milk Paint inspiration!