What is the finish on this?
+8
I’m gong to be sanding this built in chest. Then I want to put the same kind of finish on it, but I don’t know what the finish is????? Do you?
looks like polyurethane # 1 rule to refinishing furniture "the shinier the finish the more sanding/prep work needed" use water base when you redo it
If you want to just repair a finish it's good to know what type of finish it is. However, you have to have a few solvents on hand to figure out which finish it is. https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/finishes/what-finish-is-that-anyway
The top is quite damaged with numerous dents and scratches. I think you should sand it to bare wood using a coarse 100 grit, then smooth it out with 120 grit and finally with 150 grit.
Having said that, my husband loves distressed wood and thinks those flaws should be preserved. He recommends sanding just until the damaged finish is dull. You can use a finer grit for sanding. Then wipe the surface with a tack cloth and apply new polyurethane. The sheen determines if flaws such as brush strokes will be visible: gloss will show any imperfection; satin will be forgiving.
It looks like polyurethane. With the many dents and scratches it's probably best to simply sand it all back to it's original smooth surface.Wipe off all the dust w/a damp rag, dry completely, then appy the stain of your choice and finish w/a layer or 2 of new polyurethane. Allow every coat to dry completely before applying the next. Good luck :)
i have done a few similar projects. If you don’t get all of the clearcoat off it may leave light blemishes. They can show up when you stain and even more so when you clearcoat.
Sand with 120 then smooth using 180/220. Two coats of stain. Your choice of clearcoat. Light sanding between coats. I usually do three.
The wood looks like plywood from the 60's or 70's.
Be careful how deep you sand.