DIY Furniture Makeover | Sanding Just Got Absurdly Easy!

Chek out our NEW video on this subject: Sand spindles, grooves, carvings, moldings on wood furniture the easy way.
• Sand spindles, grooves...
In this DIY tutorial, I selected the most challenging example in our studio to show you how we make sanding carvings and moldings on furniture super easy using 3M Bristle Discs !! If you're into furniture makeovers like we are, this could change the way you approach sanding !
Blog Post : werefinish.net...
Bristle Discs Used In This Video:
3M Type R 50 GRIT Scotch-Brite Roloc Radial Bristle Disc
amzn.to/2XTogJi
3M Type R 80 GRIT Scotch-Brite Roloc Radial Bristle Disc
amzn.to/3hf2OGi
Mandrel (required to attach discs to drill): amzn.to/2GXDPbe
3M 7526 3" Scotch-Brite Roloc Bristle Discs, variety pack.
amzn.to/2DKRbEU

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Links To The Correct Products Used In This Video Are In The Description, Click The Show More Tab To View Them.

[@justinkinter8651]

How do you keep the bristle discs from spinning off of the backing pad? I’ve already gone through three of these things and they keep either spinning off the backing pad or the spindle that’s screws into the backing pad breaks off in the backing pad, so frustrating because these things work so great.

[@justinkinter8651]

I’m sorry I meant the roloc bristle discs.

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

I have used them 100 plus times easy, and have never experienced this so I can't advise, sorry. Sounds like you have something reversed or purchased a brand other than 3M ?

[@markcarafa5548]

@@FurnitureRefinishingStudio amazing!! Was this piece unfinished when you got it or can I use the discs to strip paint and stain as well?

[@BreakinBuckets]

I just want to say this video saved my life. I was sanding down an antique church pew and was desperate for an easy way to get into the detailed areas. After a couple weeks of cracked, bleeding fingers I found your video and within minutes removed the stain from my pew. Thank you!!

[@j.sineduce6163]

Thank you. Nice to see your video was still helpful to me 5 years after you posted it.

[@mannymarkable]

Beautiful work. Just starting a small business in furniture restoration and makeovers and this video was very helpful. I loo forward to learning more from you. Thank you.

[@mariad4183]

That piece is crazy gorgeous! I can imagine how difficult though... Thank you for the great tips! Love it!

[@gorp27]

Wow, this is just what the doctor ordered for redoing the trim work on cuckoo clocks. Great video and the music reminds me of certain types of VHS videos that were available to rent from the special room or catalog in the video rental stores.

[@karlaelvis9815]

Thanks for this tutorial - I have refinishing a solid oak door with multiple panels/grooves/elevations - I was wondering how to sand all of the crevices - now I know!

[@RandyKowlessar]

Same situation here! Haven't started yet. How did your door turn out?

[@sumanmarks-johnson2488]

Wow. Probably should have watched this much earlier, but for sure will be using this technique.

[@mer9305]

You sir are my hero!!! :). I'm sanding my kings sleigh bed with a couple of different sanders and thought I'd check out KZbin for how to sand intricate timbers....You have just saved my poor hands, time and life!!! thank you :D :D

[@CKPill]

We picked up a buffet needing tlc, and your technique is a life saver. Awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@mercedesaschenbrenner9352]

I’m amazed at your generosity in sharing your knowledge. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 👍🙏

[@erickmain]

You just made my life so much better!!

[@itzNickyJayBeats]

Wow you are a life saver, For the past year I have been sanding down cabinets and paneled doors manually with my hands lmao this is going to help me out in many ways!

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Glad I could help

[@brentjames9388]

I have a couple of ornate quite old panels from the church. Just as I was going to start sanding I thought, there’s gonna be another way. Thanks for the video

[@linetediaz.807]

Thank you for this tutorial! I really had no idea where to start sanding a new piece I purchased.

[@heidil.4651]

I’m SO GLAD I found this!!!! Thanks for the info!

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

You are so welcome!

[@melissaisaac6973]

Great video! I absolutely love the music too

[@jinksyboy]

I know its hard to quantify, but can you estimate how long each disc lasts? For example were the yellow ones pretty much dead after this entire board, or are they good for many more hours of sanding?

[@colorocko1]

Makes sense and just what I needed. Thanks.

[@Paulxj-]

So are you sanding the wood after it has been chemically stripped to clean it up, or are you using the discs in lieu of chemically stripping?

[@stayinthemoment18]

Great work and thanks for posting! I'm refinishing an old wash base with narrow grooves and hard to sand places. I couldn't use my Dremel because you have to hold it in a weird angle which just qouged the wood. I knew there must have been something to use I just couldn't find one until I found your page. Thanks again!!

[@DIYtryer]

Thanks I was wondering how I was gonna sand an old table for my mom now I can do it before Christmas!! Thank you

[@BLANCAP1000]

Cool you just made my life easier😎😯

[@binkers1026]

I couldn't tell from the video but was your piece of furniture unfinished that you were sanding to rough up the surface? Basically I'm curious if this works on a finished piece to strip it down to the wood again for like painting?

[@markcarafa5548]

Same here. Was this piece raw when you started sanding or will the discs work to strip the paint or stain off the wood as well?

[@samuelhammon66]

Thank you so much for sharing, great help!

[@shawnalexander4928]

Nicely done

[@armmistry9154]

Superb ?Thank you very much Sir.

[@sofiasole285]

Thank you for this video! I'm going to try it out on a pair of antique mahogany chairs! Gracias gracias!

[@kategoldstone-zx9mo]

Thank you so much @werefinish ! Does this work to remove stain as well?

[@GustavoSellsOC]

Thank you so much for posting the video! I've never sanded before and of course the dresser I choose to start with has intricate molding. this will save me!

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yaradawoud3975]

Thank you very much for sharing this 🤝

[@DevynGuevaraTheBeatD]

Much respect on the music choice and great explanation with tips

[@MatthewPlatz]

Sir, how is the product with sanding off layers of paint on doors, specifically the wooden trim pieces with routed, beveled areas, etc? Which grid recommendation in these cases? Thank you so much for the excellent video tutorial!

[@amsbeats841]

That's the same reason I'm here, these trims are a pain to sand

[@kingadamus8820]

Will this work for removing stain? I have rounded edges inside a door Frame and would rather not use chemicals.

[@SandroPisani]

Hi. Great video. Are the bristle discs any good for sanding painted wood?

[@nogmon5]

First video I’ve seen from you guys and that red bull comment caught me so off guard😂 But you guys are super helpful, been looking for a video for sanding detailed wood and this is the only one that actually helped!! Thanks guys

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Welcome aboard!

[@defiantlion231]

You can make your own flap disc with shank with 2-8 flaps with any grit sandpaper. Take in to regards the speed you use these flap disc with shank, if you ease it & take it slow with say 40-100 grit you can remove finish & stain & paint. The thinner the strips the more detailed crevices you can get down too. But the faster your drill goes that 40 is up to 80-100 & the 100 is notched up to 150-180. The fine grits you use, sand like your using an even finer grit at higher RPM's. You can also use the colored scotchbrite sanding sheets, cut them up into 4-6 different shapes, square, circles, triangles, stack them together on a shank or mandrel attached to a drill and take off on a project, plus they go farther than sand paper. That's great you guys use strippers & bleach but here in America we come across some mishandled furniture that's nice enough to bring back to life with a little elbow grease or drill. That's were the use of flap disc with shank come to good use making a what seems like a lifetime of work, knocked out in a moment of time, let's say in a afternoon. Now the flap disk that come pre made with 200-500 count sandpaper at 80 grit can take a finish & stain & paint off, switch to a 120 for a sanded smooth surface ready for clean up & stain/paint in a matter of minutes if sanding flat furniture with very few details on it.

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

I too am from the US. The northeast actually. What you are explaining would not work in the same fashion as the Roloc discs , not even remotely close but I am definitely an advocate of experimentation and free thinking.

[@brentj.charlet4356]

Do you think stripping first, such as QCS, would save time prior to sanding with the bristle discs? I have a very dark (almost black) colored oak piece that has heavy detailed carvings that need to be stripped so I can bleach the entire piece...open to suggestions, feedback/advice..great video and very informative!

[@mariamidura3089]

I’m in that exact situation with a cabinet. It’s made of oak, very dark finish, that I want to lighten as much as possible. The doors and drawer fronts have detailed carvings. How did your piece turn out? Thanks.

[@havinfun7246]

Can you use these for removing paint from wood as well? Also, another video said that you cannot take off a previously stained finish with these, only raw wood. From what I understand in your video, you can take off a previous stain. Thank you so much. The discs are very expensive to purchase so I want to make sure that I can use them for removing stain and hopefully paint as well.

[@88blackandwhite88]

Thanks for the video. During the demonstration I began to get a little flustered, wondering 'is he using a drill?' just as that question was answered with your helpful text. Then again 'is he using a corded or cordless drill?' just as the answer was displayed on-screen. lol well done.

[@OlObuffalo]

big help..thx

[@jessicatellier9270]

Great video! Did you strip this piece first or was it raw wood to begin with?

[@129stacey]

That Red Bull comment was cute 😂

[@kathrynnewton8721]

Amazing! I haven’t seen these in South Africa - I may phone 3M directly!

[@jendesabrais862]

That is an absolutely stunning piece...MAGNIFICENT job well done!!! I'm so happy to have come across this video. Now I know exactly what I need to tackle my dining set that has lots of wood detailing and appliques. Ty!!! How do you clean these if using to strip(Circa 1850 super d-solver)? Since they are plastic.

[@skylerfirestone851]

This is very helpful. I have never done any refinish work but I am planning to do it on this old Ethan Allen vintage desk that I found on craigslist. I hope I don't ruin it haha

[@AndroidUserCFB]

Great video, I'm using similar to strip back an Oak set of drawers. Have you any recommendations on what to seal it with when it's back to bare wood? I want a Matt finish that brings out the grain, but doesn't make it Orange. Is there any kind of lime wax or something?

[@nspinicelli]

General Finishes seems like the best option, they have a lot of options too. That’s what I’m going to use

[@SparklyOne-t9j]

What type of drill do you use for these? Thanks.

[@dianefontaine8918]

Hi 👋. I love this video as I am trying to get the paint off an ornate piece. The 3M yellow one has a really bad review on Amazon. Can you tell me a bit more about it? Is it worth the investment? Thanks 🙏

[@jimmycampos]

Just received these from Amazon however the ones I got don’t seem to be the same size as the ones in the video. Would you happen to know if the link in the description is still the product shown in the video?

[@xoxoVeryCherrie]

If you could find an updated link for the mandrel, that would be great. I’m unsure exactly what I’m looking for.

[@michele8154]

I saw your comment that it does not remove old finish, but will it rough it up enough to prime it for paint?

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Yes, it should.

[@michele8154]

@@FurnitureRefinishingStudio oh that's a relief!!! Thank you so much for replying after all this time that the viddie has been live :)

[@thinkpink4bex]

Hi, Great video! I have one of those reproduction French Louis style sofas which i have stripped back to the frame, and have sanded the flat areas on the back. i have been trying paint and varnish stripper on the front carved areas, to no avail. So i bought the 3M radial bristle brush, but it doesnt do much at all. Wondering if its because my drill (1,200 rpm) isnt fast enough, or if actually its just the wrong system to use. With the varnish stripper i tried regular wire wool and also 3M synthetic wire wool, but it was really hard going and would take me weeks to remove all the varnish/laquer. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks, Bex

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Paul, I use the bristle discs on raw wood in the video, that has already been stripped of finish, They are excellent on stripped wood, but are not intended to remove finish. They are not aggressive enough to remove paint or lacquer,

[@beccahartman7449]

@@FurnitureRefinishingStudio Do you have a video on how you used stripper to take off the varnish? I'm curious how you removed it from the tight crevices? Thanks

[@czzz4499]

Was this a piece of antique furniture that was stripped before sanding? Was it hand stripped or dipped? Just wondering if you were sanding to address raised wood grain that may have occurred if it was dipped, or if hand-stripped, getting off some finish that may have been missed or rough areas that developed or little particles that were left behind. I just finished hand-stripping incredibly detailed feather plumes on the wood trim on an antique sofa & chair and agonizing about how to sand it before refinishing it. It was sooo labor intensive to strip (7 hours each x 4 arms).

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Yes, the headboard was stripped of it's finish before sanding. I only recommend this tool for raw wood, because it's not abrasive enough to remove finish. Removing all the remaining residue and sanding in corners, moldings, carvings, turnings, etc is where these tools really shine.

[@mangore623]

For starters, most decorative work is an applique that has been glued into place. Secondly, there is rarely a need for aggressive sanding, as all the old finish will be removed with the appropriate solvent/toothbrush combination, and the colour can be restored with oxalic acid, plus a number of chemical techniques. If the wood is still not cooperating, you start with an A/B bleach, and then colour. I have been restoring furniture for decades, and except in very rare circumstances, never sand anything. And I never use lacquer unless the piece specifically requires it, as shellac is infinitely superior.

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Well, I too have been restoring/refinishing for decades Mangore623. I'm from the USA, and I'm guessing by your comment that you are in Europe ? It's a different world, literally. Things are done a little differently here. Thanks for your input, it's much appreciated !

[@czzz4499]

@@FurnitureRefinishingStudio To address the comment below, my piece was a hand-carved piece, not applique, and very deep ridges in large feather plumes. I hand-stripped and the wood surface was a bit rough after all layers of paint were removed - rough fuzz maybe is a way to describe it - some places worse than others due to slight differences in the wood on each chair & sofa arm - it would have taken forever to hand sand with anything I knew about up to this point. THIS THING WORKED MIRACLES WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT!!! I bought yellow. Thank you for taking time to share. The piece is now done and looks amazing.

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

That's great, and has been our experience with them as well. For instance, ball and claw feet are now a breeze to sand. Glad yellow worked for you, I seem to use green the most but on softer wood yellow is perfect. Cheers!

[@nspinicelli]

Do you think this product/method would work on an old durable paint, used on a dining room table and chairs? The Ethan Allen factory paint was painted over once by the original owner.

[@carlosf9278]

Never heard of them until I started looking up better ways to sand… I still think sand blasting is the best and funnest way to sand but it does cost $$$$ compared to the 3M bristles and a drill that most of us likely already have lol

[@terrmaso]

I know this is an older video, but I didn't need it until now. You may have said it and my brain didn't register, but did you use this to remove old finish? I have been asked by a furniture distributor to repair a damaged chair leg. Will these work to remove old finish?

[@robertmontefusco8302]

I have a wood front door embossed with a galleon sailing ship. The door is stained then coated with a gloss finish UV protectant urethane. It's difficult to strip the urethane off. Your suggestions please!

[@dilpreetmakker6728]

Woow amazing. I am looking that type of tools for our curving furniture and doors.. Can you give me more details. Which can do sanding in horizontal and vertical shape.

[@pasqualeparente9776]

Thanks.

[@tim1250]

Do you have a link to these and the mandrel?

[@Ashleyisthekuhlest]

Do you have another link for the mandrel? Link in description doesn't work

[@jhyde011]

Me and my wife do a lot of pool table restoration and this video was extremely helpful! Just curious how long the disk last or how often you have to replace them? Thanks for all of the help!

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

It varries, but they last for quite a few jobs before needing replacement.

[@jackiemullins3583]

The link in description for mandrel is not working. Would you please update the link? Thanks!

[@12noonclock]

Is that a Rotary tool or a hand drill?

[@arturoreyes4738]

I'm Restoring wood panels with alot of carvings. I used plastic brushes for cleaning stripper and acetone, but it leaves residue in the crevices, now do I use the 3m plastic discs, yellow and green???

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

You can, absolutely. That's something they excel at.

[@kimidoodles]

Would one set of these do that whole piece?

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Yes, and more.

[@mariamidura3089]

Has anyone tried these discs? I found them on Amazon but the reviews were dismal. I have a cabinet with very detailed carvings on the doors and drawer fronts that I would love to use this technique on. Thank you.

[@somuchfunno3380]

What about finishing and smoothing in-between top coats when it comes to wood carvings...what grit should I use?

[@damedesmontagnes]

The green radial bristle discs are d@mn near $150.

[@Madison-nu3gl]

I have a laminate dresser that I would like to re-do & it has very detailed doors as well. I am wondering how you got the stain out of all the groves so well? My dresser has a couple layers of paint on it which is very difficult to get out of the small spaces. I used a dremel last which unfortunately took it down to the plastic.... any suggestions?

[@fedora5926]

Rod, for this makeover before you used the 3m radial bristles for sanding the raw wood. What did you use to remove the original finish?

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Paint remover

[@smileymileyZ]

Any updates on where I can find the bristle discs? Currently unavailable on Amazon.

[@wesbecky1]

Thanks for the video super helpful I am wondering about the “mandrel”? Can you tell us where to get that and is that the actual name thanks

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

The 3M bristle disc Mandrel is available on Amazon.

[@lisablock7497]

Is this after using stripper?

[@martharosas9526]

I want to sand a wooden cross that's on my brother's grave its kinda ruff looking due to the weather. Can u help me

[@rosaliasuarez6889]

Do I have to strip paint on a dresser , or can I just sand it as your doing and then paint it?

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

That's not how I use them, so I can't advise.

[@jtapoling]

Looking to sand a bunch of 2.5" x 2.5" square holes in my kitchen table chairs and the table legs. Would you still recommend these pads or something else?

[@tristankoons8676]

Hi There! Would you have any advice on grit preference for using the Roloc Bristle Disc when it comes to sanding flat (hand hewn) log walls? I understand there's green @ 50 grit, yellow @ 80 grit and white @ 120 grit. I don't want to lose any of the hand hewn look so I'd prefer a professionals opinion. Thank you!

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

If you were only getting one, I would suggest the 80. The grits are very different than sandpaper and the yellow often times isn't aggressive enough.

[@jenjennarciso5528]

How much

[@floridausa6142]

What did you use to remove the stain on it so good .

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

I stripped with a paint remover.

[@mariongates9069]

@@FurnitureRefinishingStudio you should have mentioned that in your video. i was wondering why your demonstration looked different than the original head board. But thanks for clarifying here!

[@agescamilla]

I have a Question, if you cuold help me understad, This 3 M disc only work for sanding raw wood .... before stripping... after the other coats.. Is what I understand. Thank you. Do you have any other item to sanding between coats??

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

SurfPrep Sanders are said to be very good.

[@rachavya]

People who own a die grinder might be tempted to use it instead of a drill. However, die grinders run at very high RPM. What max RPM does 3M specify for the 3-inch diameter bristle disc?

[@zoltansarkany]

20,000 rpm

[@dannytjandra5301]

thank you so much for the video. is there a cheaper sander you can recommend ? I am a newbie :) thank you

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

All kinds of sanders out there, you'll just need to shop around. Hard for me to recommend one without knowing your needs.

[@ambernothem8574]

Would this work for removing paint?

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

No, it does not work to remove paint or finish. I use on raw wood only.

[@loveydovey5316]

Are the Mandrels standard or universal for all drills?

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

They are universal, same shank as a standard drill bit.

[@sb4816]

What kind of drill is that?

[@mimigarritydenman2896]

thanks for sharing this tip!

[@johndoerger2733]

Great video. Thank you. I have 2 very beautiful intricate vanities that are painted cream colored but I want them white. Would these discs work well to scuff up the original paint so I can then repaint white? I'm just looking to scuff up the existing paint/sealant, not remove it, to get the new white paint to adhere well.

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Yes, they would work well for your application.

[@tanapoljunyanon4644]

I am a furniture painter in Thailand, keeping track of your work.

[@animallover-lc2zh]

So if these discs aren't used to remove the dark finish - you say in the comments somewhere that you used a paint stripper to remove the finish and that these discs are not aggressive enough to do that - then what is the purpose of using the discs on the stripped carvings? Also would be nice if you would check your video and comments and reply to questions once in a while and not ignore it for years..............

[@belliseb]

Why is the green one $90 on Amazon and the yellow is only $21 :(

[@CrisTina-tp2jg]

Thanks for sharing but your sound quality needs improving.

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Sorry about that, we've come a long way since this video was made.

[@1966badnova]

Soda blast it and call it a day.

[@MrsPaulaTorres]

As my first restoration project I am biting a huge chunk of a 9ft long dining set with chairs, buffet and armoire and they’re all loaded with various carvings, and intricate detailing, that clearly needs removal of whatever’s the worn and dinged top finish of decades and decades and decades of heavy use by tons of people, the stuff is old, very berry old but I decided ohh I’ll just refinish it, in my third trimester of pregnancy, yass 🐍🥚 why not 😂🤞

[@FurnitureRefinishingStudio]

Go big or go home !!

[@coppulor6500]

As helpful as this is, I still don't see how you can get into the super tiny nooks n crannies. Looks like a nightmare honestly lol