Giving a 1942 Vanity Table a New Life

I found this vanity on a local barter and trade site for $50. I've been looking for a vanity for a long time and bought this one to make into something I'd love and use.

staining wood vanity vintage renew, painted furniture

The veneer had damages, but the vanity was in tack. I knew I'd first remove the veneer.

Removing the veneer.

I tried using heat to release the veneer, but found the most productive way to get it off was picking and peeling using straight edge razor and various putty knives. Not the most fun part for sure. Some peeled in strips, some areas I had to pick tiny pieces at a time. I'm sure someone has a better method, but this worked for me.

Most veneer off.

Getting down to the bare bones.

After removing all veneer, I sanded. Getting down in all the cracks and crevasses took patience. I sanded it even more after this to get the wood as fresh looking as possible. My best advise here is sand, sand, and sand some more. When you think you sanded enough, go sand it more.

Stain!

I carefully stained the piece. I used a grain defining stain. Because of the variation of types of wood it gave a variation in color I was happy with. I did all the same steps with the topper that holds the mirror.

Found this stamped on the mirrors!

The stamp says "Galax Va.", can't read the middle, and 1942. Which I'm assuming dates the piece to 1942.

I used 4 coats of premium satin finish polyurethane. And used a little Brasso to clean the handles.

Finished!

I'm so delighted with the outcome! Over 100 hours of blood, sweat, and tears.

Before and after side by side.

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Ashlei Clay on Jan 18, 2021

I am currently restoring a vanity similar to yours. It was gifted to me by my mother in law. It was her mother's. Its from. The 1940's also.
The wood is in great shape except for one crack across the top of one of the sides. The only option to repair it that I've seen is stainable wood filler. Do you have a recommendation? I think it's narrow enough to not show too bad once filled, sanded, and stained.
I'm moving it out to the garage tomorrow to start sanding.

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Tammy Green Doty on May 30, 2021

I’ve got 2 old desk—1 with a mirror, 2 dressers—1 with a swivel mirror...all have claw feet except 1 desk. I want to refinish all of them and I know some were grandparents things and others were not but were from 30’s-40’s... I’m weary of doing anything because I’m afraid I will deface the value of them. How do you know (never been appraised) if something is an antique or if you shouldn’t do anything to them...I’m more afraid I’d ruin them...
any help would be appreciated!

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Ingrid on Oct 16, 2021

I have started this with a piece in like condition, veneer on bottom, peeling. Please tell me how to replace the beautiful beveled mirror I broke on it?

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Bettyhoskins on Mar 21, 2022

It's absolutely beautiful !!! You brought out the natural beauty of the vanity. Yours is the best I've ever seen on here. Bravo !!!

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S on Jun 28, 2022

Wonderful job you did on this piece!!! I have a similar one that is missing the mirror, although it may be packed away in my mother's shed with other furniture that belonged to my great grandmother. I have the chest of drawers that goes with the set but am not sure who in the family has the bed now. The vanity has a missing strip and a raised piece of veneer and one drawer missing. After seeing this, I realized I don't have to try and repair and replace the veneer but can remove it and sand down the wood itself. As soon as I finish redoing a bed I'm working on, I will have to attempt the vanity and chest of drawers. Yours turned out absolutely beautiful!

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