How do I redo this antique dresser?
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I want to clean up, refurbish this dresser. It has different woods and designs. Dont want to mess up the designs. I know I need to use very fine sandpaper, but should I clean it first, and what should I use?
You can clean it using something mild like Murphy's oil soap and let it dry COMPLETELY. You'll need to do that before refurbishing to help any stain or coating adhere well. I'd probably just clean it, let it dry, then use a really soft chamois to polish it till it's immaculate. Finally, coat with a couple coats of a matte finish clear polyurethane to protect it. I love the chippy patina that age has given it.
Thompsons makes a great furniture/scratch polisher.
You can gently sand with a very fine grit sandpaper. Wipe all residue with a damp cloth. Add a coat of polyurethane. It comes in shiny, matte or satin finish. beautiful piece. This will preserve the look and the poly will bring out the grain again.
Howard Products: Restor-A-Finish, available at Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe's.
Awesome piece, please post pictures when you're finished.
If you feel it needs cleaning before sanding, clean with denatured alcohol or TSP. Instead of sandpaper, use fine steel wool. Then clean again after "sanding".
Be careful with the finish. This appears as an old design called "waterfall" and was many times a veneered surface.
I don't think I would touch this with sandpaper. I would just clean it well, let it dry, and polish it. This is one of those vintage furniture pieces you need to leave as is! You can use Thompson's on any scratches. I am afraid if you start using sandpaper you are going to ruin it and end up with a far bigger job than you might like.
First of all.....DO NOT approach this piece with sand paper. The veneer on the "waterfall" areas is very fragile.
My late husband and I spent nearly 30 years in a business restoring and refurbishing furniture.
As with a doctor, do no harm. Be as gentle as you can.
You have a lovely piece with some delicate inlays, etc.
The first thing you should do is to wipe it down, gently, with a clean cloth and mild soap. Dry and buff.
That should give you an accurate view of how the wood looks.
Once you have done that, a light coat of something like Liquid Gold or a similar product should restore the vibrancy of the wood grain of each portion of the piece. Wax gently with a gentle product and you should end up with a very beautiful piece.
Sand paper is NOT your friend in this case, as the veneer is so thin and fragile.