Getting Started with Ralph Lauren Blue
So, I had this old dresser, you know? Just sitting there, looking sad. I figured, a new coat of paint, that’s what it needs. And I’d been hearing about Ralph Lauren paint, thought I’d give their blue a shot. Sounded classy.
The Hunt for the Blue
First off, actually finding the right blue. Man, they have a lot of blues. I was at the store for what felt like ages, staring at tiny paint chips. I wanted something rich, not too dark, not too baby blue. Finally picked one, I think it was called “Admiral Blue” or something equally grand sounding. Seemed promising.
Prep Work – The Usual Grind
Then came the part I always dread: the prep. Hauled the dresser out to the garage. Gave it a good sanding. Wiped it all down until it was super clean. Taped off the handles because taking them off seemed like too much hassle. You know the drill. It’s never the fun part, but you absolutely have to do it, otherwise, the paint just won’t look good, or it’ll start peeling off later. Learned that the hard way a long time ago.
Slapping on the Paint
First Coat Nerves
Okay, time to crack open the can. The Ralph Lauren stuff, it did smell a bit different, maybe a bit less strong than some cheaper paints I’ve used in the past. Stirred it up really, really well. Got my favorite brush ready. And then I started painting. That first coat, whew. It always looks a bit shocking, doesn’t it? Kind of streaky. A bit thin in some spots. I definitely had that moment of “Oh dear, did I pick the wrong color? Is this going to be a total mess?” The blue looked way brighter than on that little paint chip when it was wet.
The Second Coat – Ah, There We Go!
I let that first coat dry properly. Gave it a good few hours, just to be sure. Then I went in for the second coat. And that’s when things started looking up. This time, the color really started to show its true self. That rich, deep blue I was actually hoping for. It covered so much better, much smoother. I was starting to breathe a bit easier about the whole project. The Ralph Lauren paint seemed to settle down nicely too, not too many brush marks showing, which was a big relief. I’m definitely no professional painter, that’s for sure.
Finishing Touches and The Big Wait
I did a few little touch-ups here and there, especially around the edges and tricky corners. Then, the hardest part of any paint job for me: waiting for it to fully dry and cure. I’m so impatient; I always want to put things back together and use them straight away. But I made myself wait a solid 24 hours, maybe even a bit more, before I even thought about putting the drawers back in or moving it.
The Final Verdict?
So, how did it all turn out in the end? Pretty darn good, I have to say. The color is absolutely lovely, exactly what I wanted once it was fully dry. That “Admiral Blue” really did transform the old dresser. It looks, well, a lot more sophisticated now, haha.
Was it worth the effort and the cash?
- The Good Bits: The final color is fantastic, no doubt. The paint itself felt like decent quality, and it went on pretty smoothly, especially that second coat. The lower odor was a nice bonus while working indoors (even though I had windows open).
- The Not-So-Good Bits: It was definitely a bit pricier than your average can of paint, that’s for sure. And that first-coat panic is a real thing, man. You just have to push through and trust that the second coat will sort things out.
Overall, yeah, I’d probably consider using Ralph Lauren paint again, especially if I was after a very specific, rich kind of color. You just need to be ready for the prep work (like with any paint job) and have a little bit of faith after that first, sometimes scary-looking, coat. My sad, tired old dresser is now my rather smart, handsome blue dresser, and that feels like a solid win in my book.
