Antique Oak Side Table Restored to Beauty From a Beast

Franny Monaghan Lathe
by Franny Monaghan Lathe
3 Materials
$50
1 Day
Easy

This poor little Oak side table was so bad it was hard to tell what kind of wood it was . But I knew it could be saved with a little tender loving care and some denatured alcohol .

This is the way I found her , she was even missing some of her jewelry . I keep a stash of hard wear taken on pieces that can't be salvaged so I knew I could come up with some new bling for her.

I started cleaning off the top with a coarse grade steel wool and denatured alcohol . Make sure you wear gloves cause the alcohol can do a number on your hands ,plus the old finish gets real gunky . I keep paper towels handy to wipe off the old finish as it dissolves.

the beauty of the wood starting to show

Here is one of the drawer pulls the are solid cast brass . I know I won't be able to find the missing one so I'm using some from my stash. This one when it cleaned and polished is going to be a necklace . I'll post that another time

the different stages of cleaning again with the alcohol and a my Dremel with a wire brush attachment

This is a view of the side

the front 2 drawers are bowed out and really pretty


And here she is all pretty again the inserts on the doors area darker oak same as the sides but you couldn't see that before

I was pleasantly surprised by the top no damage just dirty

The front had a few dings on the edge but it gives it character

Here is a view of the darker side panel

Suggested materials:
  • Denatured alcohol   (Lowes)
  • Steel wool   (Lowes)
  • Varathane satin   (Home depot)
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2 of 3 comments
  • Franny Monaghan Lathe Franny Monaghan Lathe on Mar 04, 2019

    thank you

  • Becky Becky on Apr 09, 2019

    You did not paint this geogous dresser! I love it! In twenty years all the Hometalk contributors will be taking the paint off all the wonderful pieces that are being "upcycled" now! 💗💗💗

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