February 22, 2022

tips & tricks for refinishing wood furniture

Now I’m not saying that paint doesn’t still have its place in furniture refinishing BUT I am super excited that vintage wood is making a statement and come back recently. There’s just something about that nostalgic smell and feel of freshly polished wood that makes me smile.

I was recently gifted an antique children’s desk from my cousin, which was her grandma’s desk when she was a child. How special is it that her grandma, mom, her kids, and now mine will get to play at the same desk? That being said, this treasure has seen some tough days. Imagine all of those little hands working hard on their crafts and homework for 80 some years. A little wear is going to happen. Luckily, refinishing wood furniture is a passion of mine! Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks to bring that vintage piece of love back to life.

SUPPLIES:

Now every good makeover needs a before shot. Here are a few before photos to give you an idea of what we are working with.

STEP 1:

Clean entire piece with a mild soap and water or Magic Erasers. I get mine in bulk on Amazon.

STEP 2:

Use a sanding block or light sand paper to remove any paint, glue, or debris that didn’t come clean in the first step.

STEP 3:

If there are deep scratches, use a Minwax stain marker to fill them in. These pens come in a variety of colors and they work just like a stain, so you’ll want to be sure to do this step before applying any wax or sealing product.

STEP 4:

There are a few different options to treat water rings or stains. The easiest method, that I would try first, is applying petroleum jelly directly to the stain. Use a microfiber cloth and liberally apply to the stain. Let it sit for a few hours. Overnight is best. Use a clean microfiber cloth to remove any left over residue. The oil seeps into the wood (like it does your skin) and pulls the water out of the wood. I’ve noticed this works best on fresh rings or stains.

If that doesn’t work or only works on part of the stain, it’s time to pull out the big guns. First, use a light steel wool to scuff up the wood over the stain. I did the entire top of the desk for consistency. Then use a microfiber cloth and gloves to wipe on a coat of Danish Oil. Let it sit as instructed on the back of the product, then buff it off with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat coats as needed. You’ll want to make sure you’re in a well ventilated area for this step and the next.

STEP 5:

This last step is my favorite! This is where you really see the piece come back to life and shine (literally). If you haven’t ever used Howard Feed-N-Wax, you’ve got to try it. I use it on wood furniture anytime it looks a little thirsty. It uses beeswax and orange oil to treat and wax the wood. It really penetrates the wood and makes it look brand new. Pretty amazing stuff!