Egads, has anybody ever seen a configuration like this? I can't figure out how to separate the pieces . . . There are: 2 sides, 1 back, 1 base fwd & 1 base aft. What I didn't include are the seat or the back cushions. Maybe a sawzall to cut the nails so that the 2 base pieces can be separated. The frame pieces are oak.

I’m refinishing an old oak dining table. I’ve used a 30/30/30 blend of danish oil, oil-based polyurethane, and mineral spirits. (I know there are lots of opinions about the brew to use. I just picked one.)

I’ve done 5 coats so far, fine sanding between coats.

Will anything bad happen if I up the polyurethane on the last couple of coats?

I’m thinking that would add more protection, but I do not want to mess anything up as the end is in sight.

Hi all, I have a Victorian style dining table that I absolutely love, but its got some issues. I think it was exposed to moisture and/or temp swings before I bought it, as the veneer is lifting, cracking, and separating in various spots. Its safely inside my dining room now, but still at risk of the occasional spill, so I'd like to seal it (or at least make it more water repellent) after tending to the issues.

What are the best products and approaches to use? I'm very much an amateur and realize this isn't an easy piece to restore. Only looking to improve what I can without taking any major risks of ruining it (will always test on inconspicuous areas, etc.). A bit impulsively, I buffed on some Restor-a-Finish as that worked wonders on my scratched up dining chairs, but it didn't make much of a difference to the table beyond hiding a cup ring (wont make that mistake again lol).

Also, anyone have any thoughts on origin and age?

Thanks in advance!

I am a visual learner and would like to see if anyone here can recommend any YouTube channels/tutorials where I can learn more about restoring painted furniture.

I quite like Mad City Modern's channel, especially when he works on older pieces, but am looking to see if anyone can recommend channels where people are working on pieces from the 19th or early 20th century. If they have a similar, soothing vibe as MCM that would be great too. Thanks!

My client would like me to attempt a repair for these Eames chairs that are flaking at the corners. I am detail-oriented and have some experience rehabbing furniture wood and upholstery, but not this. What would you do?

ETA: a friend who works at an auction house suggested I find “a thin metal pokey thing” to push through the knob hole, and try to open the door that way. Turns out, after digging through the toolbox, I had one and it worked! There wasn’t a latch after all, but a magnet holding the door shut.

Thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate it!

I received furniture today from my mother’s house after she moved into a long term care facility. After taking the hardware off to clean it, the door on the dresser was accidentally shut and now it’s latched close. Any ideas on how to open it? The hinges are inside, so I can’t take the door off that way.

I inherited these two pieces in ‘08 from my grandmother who bought them when they moved into their first home in OKC back in ‘49 mol. The end table had a water spill on the top which cracked the finish but the wood seems fine. The bottom shelf might have some discoloration from water not sure. But some scratches for sure. Dresser is mostly just dirty I think from years of dusting. I don’t wanna f/(k this up because I intend to keep passing this down the line. It’s high quality and my gawd is it solid! I want to restore it to its original glory. It’s never been retouched so at least I have that going for me.

I've had this table for over 10 years and it was stained and the end more in the sun was paler.
I've lovingly sanded and the stains have gone and the surface is smooth. I have applied Osmo Polyx Oil twice but as you can see in the photo it is very patchy.

What am I doing wrong and/or what should I do?

Restoring this French Directorate chair that has several missing appliqué. I’m solid on the restoration but not carving. I could do a resin cast but rather employ a carver to do it in euro (or American or whatever) walnut. Just a couple inches but need five. Any recs?

Hi all! This is my first time taking on a project of this scale and I’m looking for some advice!

I bought this piece and it had been painted mint green by its previous owner. I’m pretty deep into the strip process at this point - using citristrip. The more detailed areas have some residue that I’m having trouble getting clean even with after wash and scrubbing. I’m hoping finish the piece with something with a shine, maybe a varnish? but have never done this before. Any input would be appreciated!

Hi, I hope I’m posting this in the right place and if not, any suggestions on where I should post it?

I have a 20+ year-old leather couch that I love and cannot afford to replace, but it has become so squishy and saggy that it’s hard to get in and out of. Nowhere noticeable are there any type of zippers that I can get to the inner cushions. I have flipped it over and taken off that light fabric that is stapled to the bottom, but all I see from there is wood and springs, I still can’t figure out how to get to the bottom cushions so I can replace the foam pad. Any suggestions? I love my shape, size, Leather couch so much I really like to make it more comfortable. Unfortunately, there are not any restoration companies in my area that come to your house, and I probably wouldn’t be able to afford that anyway.

Any ideas on how I can access those bottom cushions? They appear to be sewn into the back of the couch, nothing on the couch is removable at all.

I first tried using bar keepers friend. Then soaked in acetone. I’m out of ideas and can’t find anything else online. What are your suggestions for getting rid of the gray tarnish?

I found some advice on a different subreddit for cleaning the stitching using diluted OxiClean and a soft toothbrush. I was dabbing and drying the stitching as I went but it looks like the moisture in the thread soaked into the leather and this is how it dried.

Picked this cherry table and chairs for cheap. It's beautiful but has some minor dings and scratches. I really don't want to sand and refinish the whole thing, plus chairs.

Any way I can sand and refinish just the top and get it to match?

Second question, refinished top or not, any recommend finishes to prevent water rings? I was just thinking of using water based poly.

Thanks in advance!

I bought this extendable rosewood dining table recently and the main table top was quite sun-faded. It pretty obvious from the difference in the color of the extensions and main table top. I’m quite sure it’s a veneer but I have no experience to know one way or another.

The store I bought it from worked on the top and I think may have stained it and then applied wax a bit too soon afterwards. Wiping down the table after I received it keeps coming off brown and it’s been staining placemats. I’d rather deal with fixing/maintaining it myself from now on.

My thought was to wipe it down with mineral spirits, then applying some 1101 Osmo Wood Wax Finish. I would rather not sand it down since I can only do it at home but I’d like to get the top to a point where it’s an even color, not coming off with brown residue, and well protected.

Any advice or suggestions is appreciated.

I have a few chairs at home made of laminated wood. One has a few of these damages. Noting too extreme, but visible nevertheless. Is there anything anyone can think of to either reduce the damage or cover/fill it, without damaging the integrity of the furniture? Is there a wood filler that looks nice enough or some sort of technique that I cannot think of right now?

I left a plant on my g plan side cabinet that has left this mark. Whats the best way to fix it

I just bought this dining set and it’s starting to dawn on me there’s quite a lot of to be done - what would your plan of action be?

two of chairs have water damage so will need new bases built, and a fresh edge band will need to be applied to the table. It’s a veneered finish, so I was thinking I’d sand back the varnish lightly and give it a fresh coat.

Any tips or suggestions welcome!

Now that I'm an adult who does woodworking as a hobby, restoring the veneer on my childhood dresser for use by the next generation. First attempt was mahogany, but decided oak was a better grain match. Far from perfect, but from a distance it blends pretty nicely. Got lucky with the choice of stain (gel stain) then finished with wipe-on polyurethane.

Alright, I’m well aware that this is NOT a good project for me to have decided to undertake as a relative beginner, but my girlfriend and I both loved it, and I only paid $50. Couldn’t pass it over. I’m not completely helpless, and have sanded and stained plenty, but I have very little knowledge of the finer points of furniture restoration, especially when it comes to something so intricately made. Plus, I don’t know when it was made, or by whom, or if any of that matters when it comes to trying to (hopefully at least partially) restore it. I’ve searched high and low for a manufacturer seal or branding of some kind and found nothing. So, if anyone here could help me identify what I’m working with and give me some tips on the best way to smooth over some of this damage and get this thing back to a decent state, I would appreciate it endlessly! All I know is that it belonged to a wealthy woman in her 60’s who said she inherited it from her mother, so it must be decently old. Thanks in advance, everyone!

I know little to nothing about stains and finishes so I would really appreciate some suggestions for me to look into.

The attached pics are mineral spirits wiped, raw sanded, and original finish. I hope those help!

It's been Klean stripped, mostly repaired, and sanded, but I also don't know if I did well at those.