Name: CQ in DC
Location: Washington, DC
Time: one Saturday- probably only about 4 hours once I factor in time spent distracted by two other concurrent projects
Cost: $20
Why buy new when you can restore? We applaud CQ's gumption and skill in bringing back this lovely Danish modern piece to nearly mint condition. Hey, some things really do get better with age. Head below the jump for all her pics, tools, and instructions and VOTING...
Tell us the tools and resources you used for the project:
As you can see, I used very few tools for this project. I did not want the mess and hassle of sanding and stripping the nightstands, especially on this the coldest weekend yet of the DC winter. I decided to do what I could with Howard Restor-a-Finish ($8.99) and Howard Feed-n-Wax ($8.99). I bought the mahogany refinisher because the bed is mahogany so I wanted to add a bit more red to the nightstands to help them match. The screwdriver, old t-shirt, and pewter knobs were already in my toolbox so total project cost was about $20 with tax.
Share step by step instructions for how you completed the project:
I found two of these bureaus on Craigslist for $40 each, and knew they would make the perfect nightstands for my very tall antique bed. As you can see, they are quite battered- they were in the seller's bedroom from early childhood until his wife decided they had to go. They are solid wood and I love the shape and size, but obviously the finish (especially on top) was shot. I've been meaning to work on them for a few months; thanks AT and Blueprint for finally pushing me into it.
OK, I have to admit that I had my doubts about the Restor-a-Finish right up until I started using it- look at the difference on the battered top of this nightstand in the in-process photo! The process is so easy- saturate clean rag with Restor-a-Finish, wipe onto wood, let dry. That's it- no buffing, sanding, scrubbing etc; just wipe on and let dry. I did just half of the top to capture the difference- unbelievable isn't it?
In the end, I did two coats of the Restor-a-Finish and then two coats of the Feed-N-Wax. The wax is a bit more complicated, but still pretty easy in the grand scheme of furniture refinishing. I wiped on the wax, left it for 20 minutes, then wiped off the unabsorbed excess. There wasn't much to wipe off the first time around- I suspect this nightstand was crying out for hydration- so I wiped on another coat. The second time around I was able to wipe off excess which I figured was a good sign. The last step was to buff the wax coat to a high shine with a clean rag. Actually, I guess screwing in the new hardware was the technical last step, but the impact of that change pales in comparison to the waxing...
Look at that shine! I am actually astonished at how much better the nightstands look. Obviously, stripping and restaining would yield even better results, but that was more time and energy than I ever wanted to invest in these pieces at this point. For $20 and a solid day of work, I'm delighted with the final results.
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Amazing job! The nightstand(s) look great.
view tara1979's profile
Wow. I'd have considered those pieces a total loss. Great to know about Restor-a-Finish. Your renovation makes me want to buy it in bulk.
view Lisa Hunter's profile
Wow--that seems a lot easier than refinishing for sure (my failed Jan. Jumpstart project was nightstand refinishing, and the sand and stripping...crazy). That stuff's amazing. I'll keep that in mind for when I acquire a dresser...
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile
awesome craigslist score and great refinish!
view LaDonnaNichole's profile
Jeez. I'll definitely be keeping that stuff in mind when I check out Craigslist from now on! They look 100% better.
view jennifer in sf's profile
I've seen that Restor-a-Finish in many antique stores and wondered if it really worked. Good to know it does. Great job.
view malinda's profile
This is great!
I was wondering though how bad is the smell of Restor-a-Finish and the wax?
I have couple of projects of my own in mind, but I don't have any area outdoors that I could use...
view LuckyMonkey's profile
I think you did the right thing, because I wouldn't be surprised if the stripper might have melted the glue on the veneer and made it peel off, if you had gone that route.
view Curtis's profile
Restor-a-Finish is a fabulous product!
After my beloved late kitty went to her reward, I used it on my parquet floor (every board!), and it made an incredible difference. I used four-ought steel wool to apply.
I periodically need to re-restore the finish in traffic spots. I didn't use the Feed-n-Wax; perhaps that would make a big difference.
The smell is not any worse than floor wax. Open all of your windows.
I can't say enough good things about it, and I recommend it all of the time.
view Jean's profile
Thanks for a great product review, I've always wondered about those products.
view southof290's profile
It's beautiful, the "new" wood looks so warm and well loved.
Beautiful piece.
view callbob's profile
what a difference! I'll think twice before passing some CL listings...
view selena's profile
Thanks everyone! I'm delighted with the nightstands and am also looking at CL finds with a new eye now that I've discovered the joys of Restor-a-Finish.
LuckyMonkey, the Restor-a-Finish smells when wet, but I didn't notice the smell lingering at all in my living room (and I didn't even have the windows open because of the cold). The Feed-N-Wax smells like furniture wax and orange (it contains orange oil)- very pleasant while working with it, and again I did not notice the smell lingering in my small space.
view CQ in DC's profile
I used Restore-A-Finish on some chairs last year. If there are water stains and so forth on the wood, it won't help, but it really does refresh the finish. Looks good!
view greer's profile
I love love love seeing things restored. I live in a college town and I hate the idea of disposable furniture. Every spring and winter the streets are lined with mountains and mountains of destroyed ikea furniture and icky stained couches.
Its great that people can take things and bring them back to life.
view Modfan's profile
Wow, what a remarkable change. I'm another person who often passes on secondhand wood furniture because I hate the thought of stripping and refinishing it. Seeing the incredible change CQ in DC was able to make with just two coats of that finish restorer will definitely make me more willing to take a chance in the future. Thanks for sharing this great project- it is exactly the kind of overhaul I hoped the January Jumpstart challenge would produce.
view mcq's profile
So excited that Restor-a-finish works. I have a can sitting in my closet because I've been too afraid to use it on my dinner table. It looks like it did a great job. The end result is lovely.
view lindsay's profile
Imo, this easily won "Most Likely to Be Widely Copied". Thanks for brining this product to my attention! I've since used it on a few projects and they turned out mint! Saving me a lot of time and money!!!
view Steve02's profile