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Currently Playing: What's under 125 year old stain?

This antique dresser has survived more than 125 years, but about forty years ago it was refinished with a very dark stain that completely hid the natural oak underneath. In this video, I strip the finish back to bare wood using several different methods and restore the piece to a lighter, natural look. Along the way I show the tools and techniques I use when removing an old finish, including chemical stripper, scrapers, sanding blocks, orbital sanding, and detail sanding to clean out the grain and bring the wood back to life. Once the dresser is stripped and sanded, I use a tan wash technique to soften the orange undertones in the oak while still allowing the natural grain to show through. The result is a lighter, updated finish that still respects the age and character of the piece. During the restoration I also discovered an issue with the original metal drawer stops that had worn grooves into the bottoms of the drawers over time. I replaced them so the drawers slide smoothly without continuing to damage the wood. If you want to learn the exact methods I use when restoring furniture, you can find my beginner's guide, stripping furniture handbook and the complete tan washing manual here: https://www.olivestreetdesigns.com/ebooks Products: Cleaner https://amzn.to/3FVMcEM Microfiber towels https://amzn.to/3ZG7Tiq Stripper https://amzn.to/4oYBY8p Lacquer Thinner https://amzn.to/4c9eQzX Putty Knife https://amzn.to/40ZAlwf Carbide Scraper https://amzn.to/4j8eQ3K Detail Scraper https://amzn.to/4aOdFUt Contour Sanding Blocks https://amzn.to/4eACzHr Favorite Sandpaper https://amzn.to/3MTAlum Tan Washing Paint https://amzn.to/4qPiPFo Topcoat https://amzn.to/3LFFVzN Sanding Sponges https://amzn.to/49icwSQ Gold Oval Knobs Sprayer https://amzn.to/4bkCeIH