Fixing My Mistakes | Furniture Refinishing & Restoration

/ dashnerdesign
/ dashner_design
www.dashnerdesign.com

[@peztopher7297]

You shouldn't worry about how long your videos are. I often wish they were longer because I enjoy them so much. You can do some things off camera, or speed up the video. It was good that you owned up to what you considered a mistake and then showed how you corrected it. The cabinet looks great!

[@thedepartmentofredundancyd5160]

I didn't think it was too bad until you re-refinished it. Excellent.

[@Alwaysziv]

It’s so nice to see green grass in the background again!

[@mirothiel8039]

I thought it was nicely finished before. But it looks even better now.

[@michaeltreadwell777]

WOW, you made the correct decision to refinish the top. It looks BRILLIANT. Well done. Take care :-)

[@karodora]

That wasn’t a screw-up, just a revision. It looks beautiful.

[@zakkaryzoah1386]

You were right! Re-doing the top made the wood grain really stand out. Nice job.

[@pat_an466]

Interesting, because I didn't notice in the previous video how muddy that top looked, but you're right, it did. It looks so much better now!

[@christineb8148]

Wow! What an improvement. I don't know if I would have keyed in on the flaws you saw without your pointing them out, but I can certainly see the difference in the before and after.

[@dianalyman5950]

+

[@rockshot100]

Hey, he is a professional. I have been doing this for years and I could see the cloudy or muddy look to the finish even before he mentioned it.

[@christineb8148]

@@rockshot100 good for you

[@rockshot100]

@@christineb8148 LOL, it is like iced tea, if it is not clear, then you notice it, although it tastes the same. It could be bloom, from spraying when it is too humid. OR that gel stain was drying before he could wipe it off. But I deserved that comment.

[@deadiemeyers1661]

I don’t know the source of the following quote, but I love it and live by it: “A person who never makes a mistake is a person who never makes anything.” Thanks for sharing your continued journey with this piece. Your content is inspiring. 😊

[@nowvoyagerNE]

Albert Einstein. my daughter and i just recently decoded that quote when doin cryptograms.

[@jaymzx0]

A KZbinr named Steve Ramsey (Woodworking for Mere Mortals) has a saying, "Just turn the ugly side toward the wall." 😁

[@loisbolton1800]

Thank you for showing the sanding in real time. That is important for us newbies; so often it is on super speed to get to the good stuff & it’s hard to guage the actual technique. 🙏

[@ThatGirlinLoveland]

It looks fantastic! As you were spraying the top, it gives a few minutes to just really look at the wood grain and I seen.... lungs. I love it!

[@goldieff]

Huge difference. Thanks for sharing your process and I want you to know I so appreciate that you don’t have commercials in the middle of your videos. That makes all the difference. It’s also been nice to see you on the video. I appreciate your work and restorations.

[@TheCraftyMagnolia]

I love it, I wish the whole piece could have turned out that same color. I think we all get at least one we want to do over again.

[@TheBigdutchster]

The wood grain looks much better in round-2.

[@garageworker]

Your videos have taken a leap forward in quality. I’ve always loved them, but they look and sound even better now.

[@phoenixfridge1495]

The one i remember is "We all make mistakes. That's why sandpaper was invented"

[@Greenacres1958]

Great job! And I normally don’t but I like the multiple tones! It’s something I’d have had before. More so now!

[@tgnben]

I thought the before looked good, but as usual, you're correct. The after is stunning!

[@tungsten_carbide]

Bravo for having the gumption to revisit something you weren't happy with 👍👍Takes a lot of grit to start removing finish you've just done! Well worth the effort, it's a lot clearer/less muddy and the blotching seems to be entirely gone.

[@chefbillybaroo2056]

BIG difference, it’s looks so much better, well worth the extra work!

[@FelixDegenaar]

You should do the whole thing like this, because this is a far better look.

[@keithhaycraft3765]

I agree. The top looks (to me) like it doesn't belong with the rest of the unit!

[@wessaidred]

Yes. That slow build up of the finish worked out really well.

[@mariabaumgartel766]

With the toner & then lacquer, did you wait to dry between?

[@gregpendrey6711]

Please always use wood conditioner. Also super fine sand after the wash water dries and then clean with the tack cloth. Wood conditioner like benite clear allows the finish to absorb more evenly.

[@rockshot100]

@@mariabaumgartel766 He did.

[@lilithanne5506]

Great job. That beautiful grain really stands out in the re-do.

[@rirkc]

Not everyone learns from their mistakes. Nice job!

[@archaicruinx]

It's always great when you're able to return to a project and end up with the end result that you originally wanted. Good job on this.

[@beverleyshaver864]

I liked the first finish until I saw the second. You were so right. Looks so beautiful now.

[@InkWellideas]

that nagging feeling when one has invested a lot, and it doesn't seem like enough - thanks for letting your fellow re-makers share that it's okay to try again

[@lua4221]

*LOVE* that grain! Well done

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@Mad9977]

that was a good decision, i like the pattern of the wood that way

[@jong2359]

I thought you were going to be wasting your time doing a refinish on this piece, but the side-by-side is striking. You definitely made the right choice.

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

I've always been able to learn from my own mistakes, but I find it so much less work to learn from the mistakes of others!😊 Thank you!

[@kathharper]

That was the right call... the finish was definitely a bit "cloudy" looking with your previous work. Removing that and sealing and toning helped and improved the clarity of the finish. That wood grain really stands out in a great way now!

[@XL-5117]

Yeah I can see why you redid the top, the beauty of the wood certainly comes through now. The darker sides add a nice contrast to the top. Good call ❤

[@fabz_studio]

Wow, what a difference 🙌🏼! Now you can properly see the grains! You always impress me with your incredible skills 👌🏼😊

[@Restorology]

Thanks for sharing. There have been several times that I returned to a piece to change something I was not really happy with after I posted the video. I've contributed a few preserved pieces to museums and I will always go back to them after the camera is off to focus on getting the optimal finish or re-address a repair that is not just right. 🍻

[@mrdolby]

So much better! The grain is lovely!

[@kenc2257]

I thought your first effort was nicely done, but I do like this look better, and I think it was worth the extra work. Great job.

[@Tim-57]

Hey DD First time i have seen a new finish being removed, the top looks great, good choice. Take care

[@kathyandthedogs626]

Excellent redo! It looks beautiful!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@jill552]

This is why furniture companies and professionals tone. Much nicer.

[@carmensaify]

wow-wow-wow, the first one looked ok, until i saw the second version! looks amazing after the re-do

[@caroltanzi29]

Good for you! It looks great and will enjoy a new home looking it’s best. Carol from California

[@leanne5751]

Thank you for this video. I've watched many of your videos. But I've always been too scared to refinish something myself. But now I am confident that even if I don't get it right the first time, I can still redo it and make it nice.

[@OwlingDogDesign]

Yes, much better choices. I avoid gel stains when I have wood grain that I want to enhance. Great job!

[@frelnc]

You never disappoint, Dashner. Awesome job.

[@beverlyw56]

So glad you came back to this table. I was disappointed in this project before. It looks much better now.

[@anniejones2640]

Well it looks so much better and I honestly hope that my comment about you "phoning this one in" on the original video wasn't too harsh but you usually do such fine work. We all have off days and it's okay for you to have one too. I have mad respect for you!

[@WilldoAldone]

Yes way better. You nailed it this time. It's beautiful.

[@rcdoodles6214]

Beautiful redo. Looks gorgeous. The wood grain on top is dramatic and very cool!

[@colleenmccarthy-evans3149]

So great! That interesting grain in the border section wasn't even visible on round 1...I really appreciate how you brought back that nice detail! It's not an easy decision to redo something that's been finished, but I'm so glad you decided to, nice going!

[@swildhack1853]

I’m so glad you decided not to re-stain that top. The grain pattern is so beautiful-your new version really highlights that. Great job! And I have to say, I’m a total noob but I’ve learned so much from you. I have a bunch of old furniture to refinish and thanks to you, I can tackle it now. I hated the idea of painting stain-grade wood, but that was my previous plan. No more! Got my scraper and I’m ready! Watching your channel is like attending refinishing university. :)

[@MrsJax304]

This is cool that you made this video. Looks fantastic

[@KelsaurusRex]

I love watching your videos! You are so great at what you do, I'm beyond ecstatic that you ACTUALLY refurbish things and restore their beauty, instead of just slapping grey paint and new knobs on it! After watching for so long, I think is the first time I have ever seen your face though 🤯 you're not just a calming voice any more!

[@jamesconner8275]

Much better. This finish shows off the great wood grain pattern.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

SO much of crafting and making is learning how to correct problems we have created - be it DIY, cooking, sewing or painting.... -

[@oonarhu4681]

I had a similar experience with a handrail that came out muddy after refinishing. Wish I'd had your video for guidance back then! I did end up sanding it back and giving it a much lighter coat of stain, which helped. I never thought of using a sealer before the stain. Thanks!

[@organize1979]

Wow I didn’t realize how muddy it actually did look until the side by side comparison at the end. Great save!!

[@tommiekebab1929]

You didn't screwed up, you made it more beautiful.

[@corinne_vintage]

Wow that just made the whole thing pop! The wood grain is more obvious now and it’s really pretty. 👍🏼

[@puggirl415]

That pretty grain pattern shows so much more now. Lovely.

[@bluecurlygirl]

I like it a lot better than before too. Fabulous.

[@lynnew5619]

Oh I know that feeling. You think to start with that it’s ok, you can live with it, but it gnaws at your brain until you have to give in and change it! 🤣🤣 So much nicer 2nd time around.

[@joepaskowski9091]

I went in thinking it didn’t look too bad…but by the time you had the before and after pics up, I thought what a HUGE improvement. Great job! And thanks for the inspiration-I’ve had many projects go sideways and now I’m more confident that they can be fixed!

[@fernbrisot325]

That top has a lovely grain to it. It looks much better with this finish.

[@furlvr1961]

OK... you convinced me it is better the second time. But I wasn't disappointed with it before either. I tend to like a deeper brown color as in the first refinishing, but the grain of the wood didn't come through like it does now after the second time through. You were right!

[@Flavum]

Nice! From drab to fab. Well done!

[@michaelguida448]

I have to agree. It looked good the first time but looks great now. Good decision to rest it.

[@jenkaa55]

Looks fabulous! Well done!

[@fannycraddock99]

I totally agree David, it looks so much nicer. Thanks.

[@jsmxwll]

Great call! That looks so much better. I was surprised that you'd left it like it was in the previous video. Somehow didn't feel up to par with what I've seen from your work before. I really liked this video showing you going back and fixing a mistake. I'm sure it gives confidence to people that are doing this sort of thing for the first time to know it's not that hard to undo certain choices and give it another go. I tend toward different finishing choices, so seeing your process is interesting. I never use any sort of lacquer. No real reason other than lack of experience and need. I use my own shellac mixes and usually use a poly on top of that if I want more versatile protection. For low use surfaces I tend toward boiled linseed oil finished with pastewax when the natural wood can hold its own.

[@robertvanderzaan9681]

Way better! Now the colour is right and the grain is showing again.

[@dianes4858]

LOL! I noticed new jewelry on your left hand. 👍

[@house9850]

Huge improvement well worth the re-do, looks great. That guy at AT Restoration channel uses a 1st layer of shellac on everything he said the same thing: prevents blotching. Of course that guy has every tool known to man. But his work is incredible. great upload thank you

[@Dog.soldier1950]

I agree. Big improvement

[@kd1841]

Bravo on your choice to redo the top! I think it looks better this way. 😊

[@awr2217]

Good call, looks much better.

[@NursingNursing-bs7hb]

Wow. What a difference. Looks great !!!!

[@ChuckFarlieSeesAll]

I would love to see you do a video on the difference between stains, polyurethane’s, varnish and oils etc. it’s all confusing to me.

[@mirandamom1346]

The new finish glows!

[@Timhey0912]

I think it looks so much better too! Good Job!

[@tammylensen5397]

Way better this time, love the grain!

[@wollaminfaetter]

Turned out much, much better!

[@usnoozeyuloosey]

I actually like your first stain better. I think it matches the sides better. But I still think you did a great job. I like to learn how you fix and do things.

[@kgal63]

You were right. This is so much better.❤ Beautiful

[@wintertexan7980]

At the end if the first video I thought it wasn't up to your usual standard. It looks fabulous now.

[@johnkelly6942]

You made the right choice. Looks good.

[@misruler9370]

Seriously better choice. Bravo!

[@brianwood5220]

Wow, what an improvement. Thanks for sharing.

[@magorzatamichalik7078]

wspaniale, że potrafisz uznać, że trzeba poprawić i przyznajesz się publicznie

[@jreese8284]

Yup, much better.

[@jodidavis6595]

Yeah I think you should redo the rest. That top is beautiful. Well done

[@jimtongas821]

I have found, especially on the darker deeper wood grains, could having some mineral spirits to the gel stain both gets into the wood grain better and starts off with a lighter version of the stain. If you want darker then go back and use the gel stain at full-strength. And please now the deep wood grain is filled in with Stain. Dose look much better.

[@sarahrenfrow9795]

Dashner, sir, being a non-professional refinisher, I thought it looked really good. I was apparently thinking of what you started with. Of course, now that you have pointed out the error of my ways, I can see how much better it looks. Doing what you do and doing it so well, I think you are probably your own worst critic. It DOES look nicer, I will agree. Thanks for sharing

[@slrobby8662]

I like it better too! Good job!

[@Pinkstinkie]

I thought it looked fine before but this is much better.

[@tamnywheeler4689]

It looks great! Right decision..

[@justmemuchlove8275]

It does look better indeed 😊👍🏽

[@PB200559]

Much better. Though i confess to thinking the original finish looked fine to my eye.

[@davidmccartney3433]

Yup, I’d put that table in my home. Very nice.

[@ProSimex84]

Totally different applications, but when I’m doing gunwales on a canoe, I sand up to 400, raise the grain with water, repeat 3 times, sand up to 800, polish the wood with brown paper (you can see reflections in the wood at this point) then apply a mix of carnauba wax melted into raw tung oil.

[@stevesmith6554]

Much better. Good call on your part !