If you’ve ever wanted to try metallic paint on wood furniture but worried about brush marks, this makeover is for you. I gave this French provincial dresser a shimmery finish using a roller and paintbrush—no paint sprayer required. The color is Modern Masters Warm Silver, but don’t let the name fool you. Those warm gold undertones bring plenty of bling, and you know I’m not about to complain about that! I’ll walk you through the prep, application, and protective topcoat I used to pull this look together.
UPDATED October 2026: I’ve refreshed this tutorial with clearer steps and helpful tips so you can spend less time guessing and more time giving that old furniture its well-deserved glow-up.
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Choosing Furniture for a Metallic Paint Makeover
This French provincial dresser had been waiting patiently for her makeover, and those curves were practically begging for a little shimmer.
For a metallic finish, look for furniture with a smooth surface—or be prepared to put in some sanding and repair work. Shimmer can draw attention to scratches, dents, and uneven areas, so a little extra prep now will save you some aggravation later.
A smooth surface and a slick surface are two different things. You want the finished piece to feel smooth, but an existing glossy finish still needs proper cleaning, scuff sanding, and a suitable primer before painting.
Supplies for Painting Wood Furniture with Metallic Paint
- Furniture cleaner
- Sandpaper
- Primer suitable for your furniture’s surface
- Foam roller for primer
- ¼-inch nap roller for metallic paint
- Roller frame and paint tray
- Quality paintbrush
- Paint tray
- Modern Masters Metallic Paint in warm silver satin finish
- Modern Masters Clear Protective Topcoat satin finish
- Rustoleum Bright Reflective Gold spray paint for the hardware
How to Prep Wood Furniture for Metallic Paint
Metallic paint brings the shimmer, but prep work does the heavy lifting. And yes, we’re doing the prep. This dresser deserves a finish that stays put!
Start by removing the hardware and thoroughly cleaning the furniture to remove dirt, grease, and residue. Follow your cleaner’s directions for rinsing, and let the surface dry completely. Here is how to clean furniture hardware before painting.
Scuff-sand the existing finish to dull the sheen, smoothing any rough spots and repairing dents you don’t want showing through the metallic paint. Remove all sanding dust before priming.
For this dresser, I used a foam roller to apply two coats of Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer and let it dry overnight before painting. Follow your primer’s label for application and drying times. Once dry, check for raised grain or roller texture, lightly sand smooth if needed, and remove the dust.
How to Apply Metallic Paint to Wood Furniture
Here’s how I applied the metallic paint using a roller and paintbrush. Work in manageable sections so you can smooth each area while the paint is still wet.
Step 1: Stir the Paint Thoroughly
Stir well before painting to distribute the metallic pigments evenly. Follow the directions on your paint’s label.
Step 2: Roll On a Thin Coat and Brush in One Direction
Using a ¼-inch nap roller, apply a thin, even coat to one section at a time. Immediately follow with a quality paintbrush, lightly smoothing the wet paint with strokes running in the same direction.
Avoid repeatedly brushing over areas that have started to dry. That’s your cue to leave it alone—even when your inner perfectionist has other plans!
Step 3: Let Dry and Apply Additional Coats
Allow each coat to dry for the time specified on the label before repeating the rolling and brushing process.
My dresser needed three coats for full coverage. Your results may vary with the metallic color and base coat, so don’t panic if that first coat looks a little underwhelming. Build the finish with thin, even coats.
How to Reduce Streaks in Metallic Paint
The direction of your brush strokes matters with metallic paint. Brushing in different directions can change how the finish reflects light, making some areas appear lighter or darker.
For a more consistent look, finish each section with light strokes running in the same direction while the paint is wet. Keep a wet edge and resist going back over paint that has started to set. More brushing doesn’t always mean a better finish—sometimes you’ve just got to put the brush down, friend!
Protecting the Metallic Paint Finish
After putting in all that work, I wanted to protect the shimmer. For this dresser, I used Modern Masters MasterClear in a satin finish.
Before applying a clear coat, check that it’s compatible with your metallic paint and test it in an inconspicuous spot. A topcoat can change the sheen or appearance, and nobody wants a surprise at the finish line.
Step 4: Apply a Compatible Protective Topcoat
Allow the metallic paint to dry for the time specified by the manufacturer before topcoating. Apply the clear finish according to its label, following the recommended application method, number of coats, and drying times.
Let the finish cure as directed before returning the dresser to regular use. Dry to the touch doesn’t mean it’s ready for everything you’re about to pile on top of it!
Updating the Dresser Hardware with Gold Spray Paint
The dresser got its shimmer, so naturally, the hardware needed a little attention too. I updated the original pulls with Rust-Oleum Bright Reflective Gold spray paint. The brighter gold adds contrast against the softer Warm Silver finish.
Remove the hardware before painting, clean it thoroughly, and prepare it according to the spray paint label. Apply light coats, following the product’s directions for ventilation, drying, and recoating. Let the finish dry fully before reinstalling.
For the complete process, see my tutorial on cleaning and spray painting old furniture hardware.
Because apparently one shade of gold wasn’t enough for me, I also added gold mercury glass knobs to the center drawers. The new screws were smaller than the existing holes, so those knobs needed a little help to sit securely. If you run into the same problem, my tutorial on fixing oversized hardware holes walks you through the solution. Nobody has time for wobbly knobs!
The Finished Metallic Painted Dresser
Three coats later, this French provincial dresser finally had the shimmer she deserved. The Warm Silver finish has soft gold undertones that pair beautifully with the brighter gold hardware. Sometimes an old dresser just needs permission to be a little extra.
This makeover took patience, especially between coats, but I love how the metallic finish highlights those curves. A roller, a paintbrush, and some careful prep gave this piece a whole new personality.
Save this makeover to Pinterest 📌 for a little encouragement when that tired old dresser catches your eye—she may have a whole lot of shimmer left in her!
If you’ve been eyeing a piece of furniture that could use a little shimmer, I hope this makeover gives you the confidence to try metallic paint. Take your time with the prep, work in thin coats, and give that brush a rest when the paint starts to dry.
Would you go all in on a metallic dresser, or start small with an accent table? Tell me in the comments—I want to hear your plans!
Save this tutorial to your favorite painted furniture Pinterest board. That way, when the right dresser follows you home, you’ll be ready. Funny how they do that, isn’t it?
Until the next project… xo, Do
More Furniture Makeovers to Inspire Your Next Project
Got another piece waiting for its turn? Here are a few more makeovers to get those creative wheels turning:
- How to Paint Metallic Furniture — Another shimmery makeover, this time paired with a stained wood top.
- Thrift Furniture Makeover That Saves Money — Inspiration for giving a bargain find a fresh personality.
- How to Get a Natural Raw Wood Finish — A softer, natural look for those days when you’re giving the bling a rest.
