dresser question for baby's room

We've had an old dresser (about 23 years old) that I took from my parent's house. The crib we ordered from Bellini is in the Mohaganny color (like a cherry). We were going to get rid of the dresser and get something smaller and in Cherry. Today a friend suggested staining the existing dresser and nightstand. I kind of like the idea, we're having a hard time finding a place to donate it to and it would save money off of having to buy a dresser (I was going to get the Aspen from Target out of desparation).

The existing finish is not in great shape and it's a Walnut color stain. Sanding the dresser would be a mess and my friend suggested a chemical that you paint on that strips the old finish. Obviously DH would have to apply the stripper and the stain. Does anyone know what we can buy to strip the old finish? We don't have a garage, but I'm thinking DH can do this project in our car-port and just cover it with plastic tarp at night if necessary. Any ideas on what we can use to get rid of the old finish? DH is not a DIY and I can tell in his head he's thinking "just trash the dresser and buy a new one with your bonus check", but I think it's a good size dresser, and the work involved would pay off if it works in the end. In fact he's irritating me with comments like "can't you just use it as is" (sorry if it interrupts your video game playing ). I would do it myself, but I didn't think I could being 8 months preggers, I can't even move enough to probably get it done. Ideas?

Message edited 3/22/2008 9:41:46 PM.

Re: dresser question for baby's room

I don't know the name of the stuff but just go to Home Depot and ask. It comes in a can like stain does and you paint it on with a paint brush, leave it for a few hours and then wipe. My 70+ year old mother just redid her kitchen cabinets with it.

Re: dresser question for baby's room

Re: dresser question for baby's room

just wanted to say we also used an existing dresser as our changing table and a nightstand next to the crib

Re: dresser question for baby's room

You may want to cross post this to the Home board. There are lots of DIYers and people experienced with this type of thing there.

Message edited 3/23/2008 3:07:16 PM.

Re: dresser question for baby's room

Do you have to add anything to the dresser to stabilize the changing pad? I know some "baby dressers" have like a wooden "framing" so that the pad doesn't slip off.