Ebonizing Oak With Vinegar & Steel Wool

Link to Patreon - / dashnerdesign
In this video I transform a tired old thrift store record cabinet into a deliciously dashing delight. I trimmed it down, made a new base and turned it black with vinegar and steel wool.
/ dashner_design
www.dashnerdesign.com

[@TheCongressman1]

This piece looks really nice with the ebonized wood. As for the base, I really preferred the legs over the solid base. I'm kind of surprised how much you stress that you don't like them, I really don't see why haha

[@sherpatrailers150]

And I am the opposite, really prefer the solid base. Just my preference, though. Love Dashner Designs!

[@debh1123]

Lots of strong opinions here in the comments, for sure. Personally, I enjoy everything you do because even if something isn’t to my personal taste, I always learn something new! Plus I love your dry wit. Thanks for always keeping things interesting!

[@elliepascoe5954]

Hear, hear 🙌

[@lonnievarner8021]

one of the things i like about ur vids is u show if it doesnt turn out like u thought; then u come up with another thing i hadnt thought of & the item looks great when u finish.

[@Makerr8]

I think this looks great! The thing that stands out to me (and maybe why it might feel unfinished) is that the interior is still the original oak color. It almost feels like it needs to either match the outside with the ebonizing or maybe it could use a pop of color.

[@Spoiledhoney999]

Dont love the base but major respect to sticking with your own taste, you're the artist!

[@sumandsubstance]

I love the look of ebonized wood and glad you walked us through the project, mistakes included. The wood didn't seem to like the ebony and you tapped into your bag of tricks and made it work. Thanks for all of the refinishing tips!

[@fossil-bit8439]

Got to be honest, I think it looked better before 😬…. Sorry… I feel like the character is gone and it looks like an IKEA piece. It’s a very strange feeling to not care for one of your restorations… I’ve pretty much loved every single one of your pieces! Keep up the good work! Love the channel! And as long as you’re happy with it. That’s all that matters!

[@emmavik-fredriksson640]

Noo! Those old legs were gorgeous. Always love what you do, but not in this case. Too boxy. I think the legs would look really cool. They didn't match the piece at first, but I think it would look really good now with the dark wood.

[@masondellacucci7879]

Hey Dash! Not sure why everyone is so rude about this piece. I just want to say that I love what you did with this little cabinet. You took some tacky atomic kitsch and made a sophisticated, Danish style cabinet with sleek styling that honors the period and beautifully ebonized oak. It’s so Hundevad and I see the vision! Not everything mid century had taper legs !

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks!

[@mm9773]

I don’t think it’s rude to be highly critical of a piece or an idea as long as you don’t attack the person behind it. This one isn’t a success, and a quick glance at similar pieces from Hundevad tells you that this one is not like them. Can’t all be winners.

[@masondellacucci7879]

@@mm9773 Thanks for taking the time to respond to my encouraging comment with negativity.

[@PoppinWheeliez]

​​@@masondellacucci7879Sometimes, the truth hurts. It helps you grow. It's also lame to like your own comment.

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

Giving a personal opinion isnt being rude lol

[@mandalasilver]

it's funny. i like your videos/projects a lot and, generally, agree with most of your choices, but, i disagreed with just about every choice you made on this one. to each his own! hope you enjoy it!

[@katherineharper-sj4ys]

I like the ebony finish. However I think the new base makes the cabinet look to “boxy.” I do like the handles.

[@loisbolton1800]

Well, it certainly is a lot different from how the piece started out. I’ll give you that.

[@JSAC66]

I can appreciate all the work you put into this piece. but I liked the original style and color.

[@sissymarie2912]

I know it's not for everyone going by the comments, but I absolutely love this exactly as you made it. I hope you don't change anything. Maybe it's a little too different for a lot of people but I think the base gives it a really interesting profile and it draws the eye around the whole piece, especially with the ebonized oak that you do so well.

[@sissymarie2912]

I like how you stage your work when you're done, but for one like this it might help to see it in an indoor space because it's so different.

[@bettinabarry8423]

Normally, I am awe struck at your results, but this is the only one I have seen you do where the original looks better 😢

[@i_sewJoeJones]

I was thinking the same thing..lol He does great work, but he made the piece ugly.

[@jahanas22]

I think it would look better with individual legs.

[@sharlimiller7229]

Oh my! That started out as a fabulous Mid Century Modern piece!

[@user-xd1ng2yw7t]

I liked the before better, but your design choices are what you like and that is what is important.

[@Badenhawk]

Changing orange wood funiture into anything else is always a treat.

[@mmtm7886]

Fantastic yard stick tip!

[@tygerstripes3752]

I liked that cabinet so much better before. I understand that I do not have current tastes, but it's time for me to go. I wish you all the best.

[@Sirensongenterprises]

I genuinely love the content of your videos and have learned a lot. I also want to confess that I save first viewing of new videos for when I have insomnia. Something about your voice, not much in the way of human faces, and the sounds of the birds and the tools all help my body and brain down regulate so I can fall asleep. I’m so grateful. I will hover go back when I’m awake in the day and finish videos if I fall asleep in the middle. But I try not drift off in the middle. Usually I can hold on till the end and let my eyes droop. ❤

[@karenharris2880]

Good job. I like the ebonizing process. Very cool. I love your Workmate bench. It looks like art with all of the layers of built up paints and stains. Kitty cameo is always a nice bonus. Thanks for the video! I always enjoy watching your work.

[@jameskellison9342]

Heck yeah! Love your stuff!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@cargogh]

I can't believe how good those new handles look on it! Wow. Didn't expect much when you started applying the vinegar, but the final shots showed again your design decisions toward changes usually equals improvements.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@hoppas77]

I really enjoy watching your videos and have been hoping you would post soon! You could paint it pink with roller skates as a base and I would still be a big fan🙂Let your creativity flow and do you. Im so grateful to be part of your creative journey! Keep up the great work!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you so much!

[@pat_an466]

That's another fascinating video - I love watching you work on these things. On the first coat of the vinegar, I was worried, because I thought it looked blotchy, so I was relieved when you said exactly that! The finished version looked much better when you'd sanded and done it again. I can see what you mean about the base, but it's not awful. Though if you can find nice legs, it could work or, as you mention, make the base shorter. One thing that does bother me, just a tad, is the pale runner bit that the doors slide along. The inside being pale when the doors are open is fine, but because you can see that line along the bottom when the doors are closed, it catches the eye. Again, not horrible, just a bit distracting (though it might not be so obvious in "real life").

[@thomguerra2145]

Great piece!

[@AnaBollocks]

I enjoy the cheeping birds soundtrack!

[@Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum]

Your grace in responding to all this criticism is admirable. 😂

[@teret6719]

Change is good! Thanks for the video!

[@TurnTheHeatonNow]

Loved the video. These comments are hillarious and I appreciate what you've done owning it with the title and post. Im looking for ideas to switch up my office desk and im glad you've brought ebonizing up as i had completely forgotten about it as an option.

[@joconnor2717]

Loved seeing all the different techniques you used.maybe base abit lower.

[@farmerconnie8172]

I love the new title. Too diplomatic to say it myself. Love your videos -and your humor-. hahaha

[@elizabethguerra3132]

Beautiful job sir

[@kd1841]

This is like a cabinet I had in my room during college in the early 90’s. I had a little B&W TV and VCR on top of it. I recorded Perry Mason and Star Trek. 😂 I would maybe have kept the original legs, but that’s just me. ❤ Great video.

[@heyhope326]

Not a fan of the ebonized furniture. This one isn't quite there, but I love giving it a new life.

[@Barbie4U2]

Yay! You posted a video, awesome. Beautiful work as always and I love that smokey grey cat. 🩷

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you. That's the neighborhood cat.

[@rachelitobandito]

Tough crowd 🙃 I enjoyed watching your process, thank you for sharing with us.

[@Timhey0912]

I think it all turned out really nice!! Great job!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@miguelm87]

Great refinishing work. Honestly I prefer the original legs.

[@EdwinWalkerProfile]

I think the piece had a lot of character in the beginning. I'm a big fan of cute little feet, though, and I don't mind the orange oak.

[@user-dr1mx9kd4k]

I really like the cabinet and thebase as well keep making videos I enjoy them all

[@mm9773]

I enjoy watching your videos, and two things very often stand out: a lot of vintage pieces benefit from careful updates when it comes to legs, handles and hardware, and getting that right is very difficult: I know I would struggle envisioning and finding the right bits. This piece needed new knobs and a new bottom, I totally agree. What makes it unsuccessful for me is the base, which should extend further to the edge of the body: now it reminds me of a shop display. And it still seems too tall, yes. Also, the colour gives me strong childhood vibes: it’s a cross between the dark brown stained oak furniture that was popular in the Seventies and Eighties in Germany, and the black Hi-Fi racks that were omnipresent in the Eighties/Nineties. It wasn’t a good time for furniture, with some exceptions. It also now looks like it was removed from a set, whereas it stood on its own before. And the light floor coming through even when the doors are closed: doesn’t seem right, either. So, utter disaster 🙂 Subscribed. Looking forward to future videos.

[@KiloBravo69]

Keep the base! it looks great. 😁

[@renabee8246]

I love the way that stain turned out.

[@gailgaddy5340]

Hummmmm I like the base. I also like the changes you made. Not a fan of the dark color but to each his own. Enjoyed the video.😊

[@MaceySnow]

I think it turned out great! I'm not usually a big fan of oak furniture, but it definitely looks striking when ebonized.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you.

[@buddybighandsome1159]

I always click on your vids to check and see what length they are. Then I plan my evening viewing! (about 17 minutes, perfect) 😁

[@spencerbowden5908]

I heard about the controversy and I had to come see for myself lol

[@michaelhenderson5683]

Nice work 👏👏👍

[@backyardkombi5466]

I have to be honest. This one looked better “before”

[@jow6845]

💯

[@patriciafry8634]

I love all your work, with the exception of this one. But each to their own…

[@kristin4840]

That stain color is not good

[@chrisdavis1722]

Great job! Love ebonizing the piece and matching the hardware 👍

[@toomaskotkas4467]

I was planning to watch because I admire honesty, but I really like the end result. That was a really good project!

[@lauranellburch9774]

Definitely needs legs. You could try metal hairpin legs for something different. You could do brushed brass to match the door track. Might want to paint the inside black if you can't ebonize inside. Looks a little weird light. Just love your videos...

[@carolbulmer8253]

Very nice! You always do a great job. I wonder if simple tapered block legs would be better suited.

[@MrDemi1233]

The dark look is not bad but I prefer the natural oak color and maybe that with a wax finish. Also the base is still too tall in my opinion Anyways, great video as always!

[@joshhyma842]

I used iron aciditate, aka vinegar/steel wool and ebonized 1600 sq/ft of hardwood floors in my house that was under horrid carpet. The floors were hard maple, so the results weren't black but dark brown due to less tannins in maple than oak. Cost next to nothing aside from the poly topcoat. Turned out lovely... applied it with a dollar store weed sprayer and a rag to wipe it down.

[@Zindiekid]

Mmmmb, crispy lacquer

[@mattsanchez4893]

Great finish idea, I've never run across that before--I think the base is fine as is, reminds me of an old TV set.

[@user-qs4ub2yv1y]

You're awesome, man! Thanks for the knowledge and edits🤙

[@TundeEszlari]

I love your contents.

[@midcenturyflipper]

Love your work! Making popcorn and will watch the video 😀

[@kentshrader6616]

Great work! Always learn something from your videos! Keep on putting them out!!

[@ghostofkadesh9041]

turns out very nice 😃👍

[@alibobo2009]

I'm glad I stuck around for the end. I didn't think I would like it, really. You tricked me! You have that little dry irony about you, don't you? I do like it. Very entertaining video. Good concept. Hope you find the right base, but I do think this one is adequate.

[@SamLemont]

"destroy" is the right term.

[@keighley6503]

i love what you did to clean up the shape. i think the only thing that’s off is the original wood colors on the inside that peep through even when the door is closed. maybe just ebonize the whole entire thing?? great vid as always (:

[@dpmeyer4867]

nice work

[@ravengateley7677]

I adore how ebonizing can really bring out some of the grain in some pieces

[@robinmoore7202]

Wow! When did you reach 270k subscribers?! I guess I haven’t paid attention. ☺️ Congrats! Edit: the piece definitely needs legs!

[@seeingthepattern]

Another soothing and educational video - are you a teacher? You give that vibe. I suffer from depression, and making things, or watching clever people like you make things really helps. So thanks for that. Like you, I've found with ebonising that a coarse sanding/brushing lets the vinegar in deep, and you can build up a good depth of colour by going with two/three steps of grit. I really don't like those kind of legs either. But, the base is too high, mate - halve it, or go for individual legs. The asymmetrical handles had me - because too much symmetry is wrong - but with them being so far apart, maybe they would have looked like a mistake, rather than a design feature. Right decision there. Had those grooves for the dividers been visible, I would have been tempted to fill them with a mix of epoxy and brass powder - bit like the Japanese idea of making the repair visible. But that's just me. Thanks again.

[@beverlyw56]

I laughed when I saw your title because I have done the his myself. My cabinet was not as good as yours though.

[@patriciafry8634]

The base helps give the plain box some style, imho. I would leave it as is.

[@ForeverMasterless]

would definitely look way better with legs.

[@stevesmith6554]

Interesting piece. Maybe take the base and scallop it to give the impression of legs at the corners.

[@Flecha57]

I love the ebonizing process. However, compared to the other pieces you have done, there was something about this piece... it didn't "click". Maybe this one would have turned out much nicer if you would have stained it. I agree with you. The legs were terrible, but the base doesn't do any justice to the piece. The moment I saw you building it, I knew right away it was too tall. It seems to me that a different set of legs would have given the piece a much better look. I loved the trouble shooting process as you applied the vinegar and filled the inside slots. There is always something new to learn. As always, a pleasure to watch. Keep the videos rolling. 🙂 PD: What happened with the guitar??? Any updates???

[@huckleberry12]

well, I def like the trimming you did of the overhangs, and the ebonized finish looks great. hope you figure out what you like for legs/base. I'm sure it'll come out great

[@bfranklin1052]

I'm enjoying your experiments with ebonizing. This came out nice. I agree that the base doesn't seem done yet. It's not quite the right proportions yet.

[@awr2217]

Hi, Cutting down the overhanging wood on the top and bottom was a good idea. It definitly looks more streamlined. And the ebony stain looks nice. Thanks

[@theshivelys]

This looks really nice. I am not entirely sold on the base, but I do not have a good alternative suggestion either 😂. I am sure if you decide against it, that you will find a great solution.

[@kathleengarness1660]

I love the ebonized look! And the base is fine. Maybe I would have made it a bit wider and deeper? But not significantly so. Just a thought.

[@aceadman]

This was very interesting. I have no idea how i feel about this one. Before OR after. 😊👍👍

[@jtsholtod.79]

I really like the makeover. I remembered those walnut handles you almost used, but they weren't right for the piece. To be fair, I like the original legs, but maybe match the brass feet with brass knobs and it would be the height of current fashion.

[@Yellow.Dog.]

Nice!

[@jojojo00]

To me the base looks to small, it should cover more of the bottom. I would put cone style wooden legs.

[@furlvr1961]

There is wisdom in the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say..." Honestly I love your videos and watching you work to refinish and restore old furniture that needs your expertise, is often very enjoyable!! I agree on the reducing the overhangs, and those round legs looked out of place, as does the new base. I know it is a personal preference, but I dislike blackened furniture. To me, it ruins most pieces it touches. I hate to say it, but think you missed the mark on this one. 😩 A medium to dark, rich brown would have complimented the oak. What about 4 inch tall, individual, inverted trapezoid legs? They would look good on such a piece as this. Just my 2 cents worth.... or fraction of a cent - with inflation.

[@princesskittycatbea]

Is that an old MSP elementary school desk in the background? I’ve got one of those. If that’s a future project, excited to see it!

[@raebooker5452]

This cabinet looks great. The base is a little clunky but it kinda compliments the cabinet.

[@viru52000]

This is a fun chemical reaction, as it's used in the opposite way as well, using tannic acid to convert rust and it turns blue/black.

[@sheep1ewe]

Awesome! I think the base would work if You just made it about 1" larger in each side perhaps.

[@darkphotonstudio]

I like it, for whatever that’s worth.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks.

[@matthewloeffler5846]

I’ve used your steel wool/ vinegar on alder. It turns green

[@microwavedsoda]

not doing it for me. I guess its hard to get right with oak.

[@lisakasprzycki]

😁i loved the title the video so much 🙌🏽🙃

[@TealCheetah]

How dare you not introduce us to the cat!

[@isthisthat]

title says it all :P good effort though!

[@holyek7892]

It was a creative idea though it was a hit and miss. I think ebonizing works sometimes. I still liked the video.

[@matsosa]

Some of you behave so rudely - it’s true. There’s a difference between criticizing and ridiculing. Look, this man has been restoring furniture and appliances for a long time. You may not see his vision, but that doesn’t mean that you need to step in and pretend to have some kind of authority over the direction in which he expresses his artwork. Remember: you’re just watching. You have not paid him to create that table for you, so don’t act like he should obey your commands just because you’re unsatisfied. You don’t like it and that’s fine…but say something kind or say nothing at all. Criticism is constructive, not degrading.

[@DingoAteMeBaby]

Should stain the inside, as well!