It’s WORTH THE HYPE how to refinish wood without sanding

[@philipatoz]

Sometimes, various places on a piece of furniture don't grab the Restore-A-Finish as well as you'd like. My recommendation would be to go over these spots lightly with about a 180 or 220 grit sandpaper to give the product more to grab onto. Clean the dust off and then rub in the Restore-A-Finish, let it sit a few minutes, then gently wipe it off. Let it dry a half hour and then follow it with Howard's Feed-N-Wax. Put the wax on, let if dry about 30 minutes, then buff it off. And, yes, it truly is a miracle product. One thing I love about it, when used on older furniture or antiques is, it gives the ability to bring back a piece's natural beauty without trying to make it look newly refinished. Many antiques are ruined because someone completely stripped it, sanded it all the way down, stained and then top-coated it - basically ruining the antique's aged patina and character that took so long to appear. I mean, it's an antique with aged tones and wood, for crying out loud - you don't want to destroy its historic beauty - just re-freshen it a bit.

[@e.l.france5136]

Absolutely on all of your suggestion/directions. Have loved this product for years. Makes me smile to see next generations seeing how good it is.

[@2degucitas]

Wax on. Wax off.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

Well spoken! It's an antique not a new product! 😂🖌️

[@edwardbittner5727]

I maintain tv broadcast trucks with lots of nice woodwork in them. This is my go-to. 👍👍

[@JohnSmith-el6lk]

I agree that full restoration of antiques usually removes value from the piece. What you did here enhanced the value .

[@bobklein752]

i’ve been refinishing restoring and conserving furniture for about 50 years. Restore a finish is a good product on certain items. I cannot stress enough when you use steel wool make sure it is #0000 steel wool and it is the kind that is manufactured for use on furniture. No Brillo pads. Also it is most important to rub/apply with the grain. not in circles or across 0:01 grain. Also it is quite useful to use a furniture paste wax in the same regard. Briwax is a good brand that can be purchased in color. Just make sure you buy the toluene free type. There are other waxes out there that are good. many of them you can buy in a neutral color and add a dab of artist oil colors to it to match your project. Have fun. Great Video thank you.

[@rhodes3535]

Do you really need to use a steel wool? Can I use microfiber cloth instead?

[@chip2881]

I imagine the micro abrasions on the wool help absorb from increased surface area, a cloth will just polish

[@khaleefax9553]

Do you apply the wax after or before?

[@coolwata105]

Good Tip........I knew Brillo wouldn't be a good idea.

[@fireboltaz]

Women always looking to do things half a$$

[@steveburris9687]

I want to thankyou for airing this. We really wanted to redo our 1980's kitchen cabinets but at the moment, money is better spent somewhere else. We took a leap of faith after watching your video and couldn't be more please with the results. I am amazed at the end result with so little effort. New cabinet knobs and they are looking brand new again. I am half way through and the difference is night and day. Thank you a million times.

[@jasreenbanwait8353]

Did you sand them first?

[@Marianne-i9r]

It's refreshing to see the integrity and character of the wood restored. I get very tired of everyone painting things. Someday people will want to see the original finish.

[@LilyBecca]

Using the steel wool makes a HUGE difference. When I first used it, I was putting it on with a limit free rag. I was impressed. Then, I whipped out the steel wool and my mind was blown! I now have Walnut, Dark Walnut, Natural, Mahogany and Brown. Using the right shade also makes a difference.

[@katetsubata]

I used this on my kitchen cabinets, which had marks and chipped or worn away spots just due to wear and steam from cooking. I had looked up all kinds of other options, including replacing the cabinets, stripping and refinishing each door and replacing them, etc. When I found this product, I couldn't believe it would work. It did. Every door and drawer face was transformed from rough to smooth, with a uniform, clear level of finish. The application was a matter of minutes, and the wiping away was equally simple. It saved me thousands of dollars, or at least a week of hard work sanding and refinishing. I did have a very different experience using it on a cheaply made wood table with a one-coat stained polyurethane finish. In that case, the liquid merely left weird streaks and didn't help heal the chipped areas, and it obviously has to be stripped or sanded to the wood and redone. However, I did do two nice but old end tables, and had a really beautiful result, just like the cabinets. So my conclusion would be, use a bit on a hidden place like the inside of a leg or the underside first, and then if that works well, do the visible places. A great product and a time and labor saver, for sure.

[@auntdello5286]

Howard's is meant for oil based lacquer finishes. Your table probably had a poly finish. Best to do a test spot on any newer furniture, or cabinets.

[@LisaP-e3l]

Did you put the finishing paste on after you used this product on your cabinets?

[@katetsubata]

@@LisaP-e3l No, I just wiped off the excess and it was beautiful.

[@paulinecoyne3324]

You have built up amazing skills. I am in Ireland and at 70 have just started flipping. I just wish people would appreciate all furniture not just solid woods. Please continue saving from the landfill 👍😊

[@frostyfrances4700]

At 78 I've been hauling around bona fide antiques from my parents and gp's for many years, from pillar to post all across the country. Somebody came in one day and snorted that my house (a real Vic) looked like a museum. I replied thanks even though I knew she meant it as an insult. I believe she was just jealous.

[@danielkoher1944]

@@frostyfrances4700 I’ve had several people tell me they like how I use the various pieces I have. Also, lots were in the family or given as gifts. I seriously like the variety. 😊

[@mikeharrington5593]

Need to see the results when fully dry say a day or 2 later to properly assess the effects

[@MC-24]

Yep, yep. It goes on like magic and then, like magic, it disappears.

[@cathrynevans5196]

Yes, I have had it double down after you leave it overnight. It is a wonderful product, but it doesn’t cover everything nor does it retain its shine the next day.

[@moneymamagillis3867]

You have to use the Feed and Wax after it dries. Also by Howard's

[@amayautumn]

Not this stuff. It's amazing.

[@777LoveStory]

​@@moneymamagillis3867and don't forget the orange polish.

[@triciachancey1955]

Retired kitchen designer….I use this for all furniture and kitchen cabinets. Apply with soft cloth, allow to dry a few minutes, rub down with a wadded up brown paper bag. Protects and leaves a nice soft touch and finish. I go with the grain with applying and rubbing with bag.

[@steelsunpi]

Paper bags basically work like real fine sandpaper (like 1000 grit) on wood and polish it up.

[@LeverPhile]

@@yuugenAtessaThing steel wool, a paper bag, and fine grit sandpaper are not "rough" tools at all. They are on the "smooth" end of the scale that are more of a polish.

[@bigred4379]

Paper bag is a great tip! thanks! Head slap! Why didn’t I think of that? Perfect way to soak up the excess oil, which has been a bit of an issue for me at times, especially when I’d like to put glass on top of a dresser or table. If you don’t soak up he excess , the oil will look cloudy under the glass eventually. Also you don’t want to leave oily residue on furniture because it can attract dust and dirt .

[@bigred4379]

@@yuugenAtessaThing buffing with a brown paper bag is a great way to soak up the excess product that hasn’t absorbed into the wood, while leaving just enough. Genius, really! LOL As far as the oooo steel wool- I’ve never had much luck with that , although I’ve seen other people recommend this for years.

[@DianeML419]

Thank you for this comment. I have very old kitchen cabinets and I never thought to use this product on them. I will now. Can’t wait to try it. 😊

[@donwold1622]

After watching this, I went out and bought some. THANK YOU! I too am blown away at how well it does work. GAME CHANGER!

[@jreese8284]

Even though the scratches are still there, the look is so much improved! This finish will age so much better than a repainting job; it's quicker, cheaper, and so much fun to do.

[@combatgirl38]

I think the better thing to know so that fellow DIY-ers can better understand what is happening is to understand that it's actually Not wiping Away scratches it's staining or filling them in. A good trick to know is that you can also use a paint brush with a fine tip to fill in the scratches and chips that aren't absorbing as well. Old English is another classic brand that people are likely to find at most hardware stores and is much more affordable. Do a test area first though!

[@robinq5511]

Old English is only a polish and the effect will be temporary, but may be a better choice if you are dealing with a veneer.

[@coolwata105]

I was watching this wondering, why steel wool? It seems like a brush would be better.......and easier.

[@coolwata105]

I've been dreading these two rocking chairs I've got to do. Thank God they're not half as scratched up as what you demonstrated. I think you've saved me A LOT of Work. Many Thanks 🙏🏾

[@sharonwalker6523]

Restor-a-Finish is one of the best products ever! I had an expensive dresser which was badly scratched in a move. Discovered this in an antique shop. Have been using it ever since.

[@susanKWithAnE]

I used in on a beautiful inlay table that had been used as a planter. It came out great!

[@moniklein7876]

Ich wohne in Deutschland und wollte mal fragen wo ich dieses Wundermittel bekomme? Kann mir einer das sagen

[@user-gh7lv5qw3k]

@@moniklein7876 Amazon sells it.

[@moniklein7876]

Danke 👍👍

[@BC25citizen]

Oh wow! The algorithm did me a favor today. Glad I stumbled onto your channel.

[@ChicagoDreamer5]

Never heard of this project, but was SO glad to find your video. I bought the mahogany color to use on my little thrifted table which was horribly, deeply scratched. I did a quick application and had results just as impressive as yours. I only had the 0 steel wool, so I didn't press hard. Going out today to get the 0000 fine. Wow, I love this stuff. I'm going to get more colors, and keep this on hand. I love wood, not paint, don't like sanding, and don't like scratches. Thank you!!!

[@shellydehart8217]

Yes, I’ve used this product for years. It’s the greatest fix. I use it also on my wooden oak floors. Love, love this Howard product.

[@dianeevans2708]

Glad to read this post! We have original oak floors over 130 yrs old in the farmhouse we live in that was my grandmas. We love the floors and we love they aren't perfect - no way are we going to refinish them... they just need a little freshening up, I figured the Howard's had to work on the floors - so that will be a summer project.

[@mattallengroupatREAL]

Do you dilute it for floors?

[@DrewJacobson61]

2:41 As a furniture maker and restorer I can’t overstate that you must go in the grain direction. No circular motion.

[@robinq5511]

@@DrewJacobson61 She did finish after working on the scratches, in the grain direction - although that may not have been clear in her instructions.

[@dianeevans2708]

This stuff is beyond fantastic. I have my grandma's jacobean dining set and buffet which just needed some love - all the pieces are in great shape. Years ago, I had a very in depth chat with a piano tuner who also restores old pianos. He NEVER strips and refinishes antiques - he restores. I cleaned the pieces as he does - with murphy's oil soap and super fine steel wool - this was after a really good cleaning - still got a good bit of grime. Then clear warm water and cloths to remove any residue. I applied Restore-A-Finish. Two hours later, I followed up with Feed-N-Wax, applied this wax to table top, waited about 30-40 minutes and rubbed it down. The next day, I applied a second coat. Everything looks absolutely gorgeous. It looks like what it is - an old piece with a history! I have an antique dresser and vanity that is next. I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I was thrilled when I realized Lowe's carried both products at very reasonable prices.

[@hannahm7373]

I'm glad to know that it works. I bought a used mahogany bedroom set many years that had scratches and now, of course, has even more. I was afraid to try this product, but now will give it a try.

[@obcl8569]

THANK YOU for sharing that industry secret list of instructions! I may very well use this as a how to for renovating my mom’s 18th century furniture! We once had a friend fix the dining room chairs… Bless his heart he used brown wood glue to seal the industrial size nails he drilled into the back of the chairs & the legs. He was very proud of it as well so it made everything rather awkward lol That was in 1989 and I still feel the same cringe when I tell the story as on the first day 😂

[@user-gh7lv5qw3k]

@@obcl8569 Makes me cringe and it's not my furniture! How awful!

[@zitabraun1176]

I wrote your steps down and will give it a try on the woodwork in our new (older) house and some furniture I own. thanks for posting.

[@fuerzademapuche2532]

Glad you found this product. I came across it about 2 years ago, when I had to refinish a front door that had a giant stained glass embedded in it. I did not want to try and sand the whole thing because I was afraid of breaking the glass. Found this on a Home Depot shelf and tried it using only a microfiber towel and it turned out beautifully. Didn't even have to use too much of the can. I used it again recently on a very, very old silverware box my mom needed me to fix. Big box, horribly scratched and the bottom was coming off. Between fixing the bottom and adding 2 small latches, the cherry on top was how every scratch seemed to just vanish using this product. I really like that they have more than one color to try and match the type of wood you're fixing. Great job, may your business continue to grow exponentially!! New sub absolutely.

[@bahba9247]

I used this product on some kitchen cabinets.. My son bought a house and the cabinets were filthy and marked up. Someone told him he would have to replace them. I scrubbed them up, applied Restor-a-finish and changed the hardware and they look beautiful. They are good quality cabinets that just hadn't been cleaned and taken care of.

[@warriorqueenmother8551]

I’ve been in my house 10 years with the old cabinets from the 70s, dreading sanding them down or replacing them. I’m going to try this since you said that it worked for you. 😊

[@photina78]

I'm hoping this will work on my cherry veneer kitchen cabinets.

[@Hulk-mc7bp]

Definitely not worth replacing good solid wood cabinets for the crappy ones they sell nowadays.

[@bahba9247]

@liv tellez Yes. I put it on with rags I made out of old t-shirts. You don't have to use steel wool.

[@peggy9939]

Great suggestion! What did you use to scrub the cabinets? Thanks.

[@HT-dj6mq]

I have used this product (apply with fine steel wool) multiple times and absolutely love it! It “heals” the finish. I use the Howard Feed and Wax after the finishing process to keep the wood healthy…we live in the desert and the orange oil beeswax combination is the perfect combo for all wood furniture.

[@stephaniecollins6052]

Do you wipe it off with a dry cloth after applying it?

[@Keagen_Brown]

The server was a real encouragement. We have the exact same piece as part of a dining room set that was handed down to my wife from her grandmother and it is her most prized possession and I wasn’t sure how to make it come back to life and now I do! It’s in better condition given it’s special place to my wife but the luster has really faded and needs a refresh. Now I have the perfect plan for it, and the matching table and chairs! Thank you so much!!

[@AudraGibson]

Worked in a professional custom furniture build and antique repair shop a while back. People brought in really nice but often rough pieces. Refinishing can be pricey, especially if the piece is larger. So we used Restore-A-Finish as an alternative at times. It made me nervous to use steel wool, but if you use a really fine steel wool it does a great job. Wax and buff over the top and the piece looks tremendous. Highly recommend.

[@bernienixon2257]

What wax do you use? (specific brand?)

[@leeglee111]

I thought the same thing with the brillo pad. Making more scratches along the way

[@steven3517]

If you take off layers, is it still an antique?.

[@georgemcdonald2455]

You need to talk about what grade of steel wool and why steel wool. Then, when do you wipe it with a rag and what type of rag. Do you top coat? Does it really hide all of the scratches ? Do a side shot to show the surface reflection. Hope this helps.

[@LisaCunninghamLieveEnterprises]

@@georgemcdonald2455 I tried this product. Was not too impressed. There's a lot to consider and know prior to purchasing this product. I used the soft steel wool as well. I did not see a difference, unfortunately. My side bed table was probably not a real antique and probably stained, so no expert here!

[@OG_Beckie_Leigh]

As soon as I saw this and read some of the comments, I rushed over to Amazon to order some Restore-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax. I have a beautiful antique vanity that’s in great condition, but it has been neglected for a while. I can’t wait to bring it back to its natural beauty. Thanks for sharing!

[@aok2727]

I have used this and it works well on those pieces I don’t have the skill to refinish. It does a lovely job. The Feed and wax does a good job finishing the job. I use the feed and wax inside every dresser I sell.

[@blacksheephouse]

Oh that’s a great tip on the drawers, I’m going to try that!

[@dkadwoa4114]

I love that product too...

[@teenyleek1233]

I have never restored a piece of furniture but I have a few I have been wanting to. It all felt very daunting until I stumbled across your video.i bought the cherry wood finish for my dresser and couldn't believe the dresser. I have 6 handles left to brasso clean but the item is already looking incredible. Thankyou. I will now check out your channel and existing videos to see what other handy hints and tips I can learn

[@lawaincooley6788]

What a difference!!! I absolutely love real wood finishes on furniture or anything. No one can replicate nature. I think painting stuff just makes it look cheap and sterile. I needed this product!!!

[@mkv1783]

I am so glad I found this. I have several pieces in my home that are solid cherry wood and were expensive pieces of furniture when new. Over the years my cats have scratched up the finish rather badly and I can't afford to have them restored This may be just the product I need Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@katherinejoseph7133]

This stuff REALLY works - used it on kitchen cabinets where the veneer was drying and looked awful. Now the cabinets look like brand new

[@aprildegele1510]

I haven't used this product, but I will! One reason is that it fills but retains the original scratches. SO much history. I can highlight (or low-light, actually) the history before finishing. All pieces have a story and sometimes, we get a huge history, like this piece. It can be refinished, but with the history intact ... those are the best pieces.

[@nozzledrich]

I was given a can of this and was very happy with the results when I used it on a small mahogany Art Deco style table. The legs and stretchers were dinged up but this product did wonders on the damaged spots. I gave the piece to my nephew and his wife loved it.

[@meganmills6545]

I'm not sure if someone has already made this comment, but just in case... It best to "pour" the product out of cans shaped liked this, with the opening in the middle top of the can, towards one of the broad "sides" of the tin, rather than the narrow "ends". It doesn't make such a mess on the top of the can that way and also pours out more smoothly rather than in "glug-glugs". :-)

[@mickeyfinn457]

It says that on the top of the can she’s using 😂

[@meganmills6545]

@@mickeyfinn457 It doesn't on top of mine if I recall correctly... how curious. I'll have to watch the video again to see if I can spot it and dig out my can and look at the top again. I guess some people just don't understand what the instruction is for or are so eager to try it that after reading directions on the side of the can they just don't notice what's on top. Or they do notice it but don't understand it? Ir perhaps it is on top of my can and some other people are like me and don't, ahem, remember it! :-)

[@bethbowles7525]

😅​@@meganmills6545

[@mitchd949]

Anyone who’s ever taken a swig of booze from a flask already knows this.

[@meganmills6545]

@@mitchd949 Well, we all gotta learn somehow! :-)

[@nelliott9322]

I love this product. I use it with #0000 steel wool, wipe off excess with cloth, let dry, then finish with Howard’s beeswax. Beautiful results.

[@peetabrown5813]

I was looking for the person that would mention that it is not your regular kitchen pan scrubbing steel wool, it is extra fine

[@sethdistler5332]

​@@alliesmom2946 wax goes on thick and tacky. And you clean / buff it off. It's just like a clear coat of paint but much thinner. And it's not dry. Just slick so it cleans easy. Fills in small scratches for a bit of shine.

[@heidisettles5537]

I used to use it and sorta forgot about it, but tried it again recently on an old piece. It makes you feel like a magician doesn't it? You will start going through your house looking for pieces to use it on. The Feed N Wax step afterwards is amazing and very satisfying. I used the walnut color on several different darker wood finishes and it worked great.

[@meganm4877]

I’ve done every piece in my house and now I’m asking friends if they’ve got anything that needs de-scratching 😁

[@lijioommen5561]

Does it have other colors? Is there a way to turn a walnut colored piece of wood to black by this product? Thank you!

[@be_heard247]

How long does wax last? I would like to do my trim but I worry it will wear off. Should I polyurethane over wax? Sounds like a bad idea lol

[@pamyacuzzo6614]

Thanks so much for showing your results with this. I have been thinking I could use this product to fix my old dinning table instead of buying a new one, so seeing this and hearing what you have to say helped so much. Thanks again! I think this would be worth a try!

[@grumpypotamus7143]

I used this product on my spinning wheel when I got it to put the original finish on it. I took it to outdoor demonstrations for over 15 years, poor thing was exposed to all kinds of weather, sat in the car in summer and winter at times, was carted through mud and grass and dirt, and it held up beautifully with an occasional rub down of Howard's Feed-N-Wax for maintenance. So for a product that was so easy to apply it held up amazingly well through way more punishment than most furniture will ever see.

[@jewels64628]

O-M-G !!! You are a life saver !!! I cannot believe my eyes!! This is FANTASTIC !! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this information while showing us its MAGIC !!!!!

[@kkbo3478]

I found and used this product for my grandmother's 100 year old desk! What an improvement 🎉

[@JoJoAcrylicArtwork]

Love this! Thanks for sharing this is gonna help me no end. I have a tip for pouring it out, I noticed you trying not to get it on the lip of the can. If you press the cloth or wool firmly over the opening and tip the can up and down quickly, the cloth/wool gets a quick dose without the spills. Repeat until you have the amount you want on your cloth.

[@SummaGirl1347]

I live in a late-Victorian house full of Eastlake furniture. This product is simply miraculous. Every antique shop I've ever been to makes a small fortune selling this stuff because it is so easy and works so well.

[@carolantezana936]

Didn’t know about this until your video. It worked great on my 20 year old cherrywood stained oak kitchen cabinets. They look brand new!

[@bmug-u2g]

I’ve got that same dresser at the end I’m trying to fix up! It’s been in my family from before I was born, I’m now 70! I’m fixing it up for my grands.

[@milkshake123abc]

I used this years ago to restore my wood foyer floor. It was faded and drab looking from the sun. Some scratches but not bad. It looked brand new after I finished the job. Very impressive product. Also used it on my cherry end tables that were sun faded. Worked great. Need to do it on my pine and maple end tables now. Time for a refresh. I think the quality of furniture today is so inferior so I’m keeping alł my old stuff. Thanks for sharing the info. Greetings from PA.

[@southernyankee7469]

Did you use a wax on your foyer floor after the Restore was dry?

[@NotMyShow720]

I’ve used this. It works, and lasts. The scratch depth is still there, of course. It looks amazing when done. If you don’t believe it, try it yourself! It’s so satisfying.

[@bigred4379]

Been using this for at least 40 years. I also keep some mahogany Howard’s restore a finish around the house to freshen up my mahogany and cherry pieces when they get kitty scratches etc. Those two shades are interchangeable. My advice is to make sure you wipe all of the residue off, especially if you’re going to put glass on top, because the oily residue will look funky under the glass. Also , the oil will attract dust and grime. Don’t overuse the product and buff it ALL off. Another Howard’s product that I’ve used on dry , thirsty antiques, etc is the Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner. It’s food grade mineral oil and natural waxes, so it’s light and not gunky, or stinky like paste wax. Of course I also use it to condition my chopping boards.

[@axjohn]

What product would you use on really dry teak?

[@bigred4379]

@@axjohn teak furniture? I’d try the butcher block conditioner because of the oil and wax. Its a pretty light product . If it needs something heavier , you can always try another type of product recommended specifically for teak.

[@bigred4379]

@@alliesmom2946 I’ve never used the products in tandem. I see a lot of people say that they use the Howard’s feed and wax over the Howard’s refinisher , after buffing off the excess product, but I never have.

[@tajr.2650]

I worked for an enormous antique store that sold worldwide to dealers. We used that product, the orange oil and sold it in the store as well. Fantastic brand!

[@jafrinajabin8049]

When to use the orange oil before or after the Ofinish Product? Can you post the link of the Orange oil please.

[@tajr.2650]

@@jafrinajabin8049 please google Howard Feed N Wax. This should be applied LAST. Hope that helps!

[@crystalline9098]

I used this for a vintage piece I got off of the internet. I didn’t use the steel wool but just a cloth and it helped it 50-60 percent. Do use the wax. I’ve used this on my kitchen cabinets without the steel wool cause the cabinets are mostly in very good condition, but the wax is awesome for kitchen cabinets as I feel as though I protects the finish pretty well from kitchen elements (heat, grease, food).

[@ImCarolB]

I'm Restor-A-Finish's #1 fan! I first used it when someone gave me a Chippendale secretary with book cabinet. It was really scratched up and I dreaded the stripping and sanding. Someone recommended Restor-A-Finish and wow! did it work! The finish was beautiful. The only part I sanded down was the desk writing surface which was badly water- and ink-stained. Follow with Feed N Wax.

[@OceanDreamer59]

Would this work on furniture where the finish has "alligatored"?

[@joannajohnson696]

I have a desk I bought 23 years ago. It's solid wood. I bought this product based on your review and I will let you know how much it renewed my desktop. I was going to cover the desk top with a leather insert or a thin layer of stone because this is a life piece for me.

[@karenspeedy4812]

I used this on our maple bedroom suit, it looked new when finished, also did baseboards that we thought would have to be replaced, wonderful job

[@Melrose51653]

I'm amazed at the results because I've used the product many times and while it restores the shine it doesn't remove or fill even superficial scratches . Where it does work is often undone by dusting or waxing the piece.

[@vintagelady1]

Glad you finally discovered this! I used to live in an area of historic homes Our craftsman style house had drop-dead gorgeous woodwork but the cost to refinish was prohibitive. EVERYONE used this---one couple had a humongous mansion & they spent a year using gallons of this---I have never seen s0 much beautiful oak woodwork, & my house was pretty good b/c the builder was a carpenter & did gorgeous quarter-sawn oak woodwork w/ huge crown mouldings in the living room, maple in the office, & the classic douglas fir elsewhere.

[@sallypettit7156]

I used it a few years ago, and still have it. I forgot about it, and was planning to go around my house that has almost all vintage and antique pieces that have small scratches, I usually use Old London scratch remover, and it works but does not last. Glad I stumbled upon this video.

[@karenwaddell9396]

I was expecting something new. I used Howard’s to ‘refinish’ many pieces in the 70s+. Nice to know it’s still around and still well reviewed.

[@sluebke471]

I am getting ready to do my first piece of furniture and I didn't really want to have to buy a sander to do it, and I know I can't sand something like this piece of furniture by hand, so I think this will be a wonderful solution to my delima. Thanks for all of the information.

[@SDW90808]

I used to periodically use clear satin varnish on my kitchen cabinets to renew their look. Now I’m in a casita in Mexico with some used floor cabinets and was dreading the project. Looking forward to trying this out asap. Thanks! ❤

[@stephaniegreenwood4007]

I used Restore-A-Finish on my entire kitchen, it worked like a charm, and made my cabinets look like new. I thought I was going to have to spend thousands restoring my cabinets. The down side it smells really bad while working with it. Definitely need good ventilation, and I recommend a ventilator. Also if you are doing a project inside your home, do it at a time when everyone else is gone.

[@nanapoppi3]

I love this restoration product and you did a great job bringing out their hidden beauty. As someone who collects vintage and antique pieces Id be pleased to have either one in my home.

[@nat3803]

Exactly what I need to touch up my son's used dinning table he just bought from a Goodwill store. This will be just enough for a started table.

[@pdureska7814]

Used it on my wood trim, baseboards where the finish was degrading. i found this on my own and took a chance. It worked great. I showed my wife what i had done and she said yeah she's used it before and had a can squirreled away in the basement.

[@marcd1981]

Thank you for this video. My wife and I are looking for a way to refinish our dining room table without all of the work sanding and refinishing brings up. I have two questions I'm hoping you, or someone watching, can answer: 1. How long have you waited to verify the damage (stains, scratches, etc.) is permanently fixed? The reason I ask is because I recently tried a method from another KZbin channel, and it looked great...for about 2 weeks. The stains are coming back, and my new search brought me to this video. 2. Is your method from this video better than what the product manufacturer recommends? In this video, you are using steel wool directly on the wood. I went to the link you provided for this product, and the listing shows the method as to "spread evenly with a wax sponge".

[@charlottepickett6876]

I haven't used this product, but thanks to you I will. My niece carved her name into my walnut wood finshed entertainment center. 🙄 So, when I move, I'll definitely try this product. 😊

[@patriciamissiras2467]

I have used this product on my kitchen cabinets. In 2020 we had a slow pipe leak in our upstairs bathroom that saturated one wall in our kitchen and traveled underneath the kitchen floor. So the remediation entailed removing two walls including the cabinets and the several layers of flooring. Since only one cabinet back was damaged the insurance company only paid to repair the cabinet back. The cabinets were from the 70's and were a dark walnut. I bought the Howard's restore a finish and it did cover the scratches. I filled in any holes or gouges with filler and used a touch up stain that the prior homeowner left. I did use the wax on the cabinets. The cabinets still look great 4 years later.

[@ScarlettLee-t2e]

I have used this and it works well on those pieces I don’t have the skill to refinish. It does a lovely job. The Feed and wax does a good job finishing the job. I use the feed and wax inside every dresser I sell.

[@mordeys]

As a renter i can see how this could make the wood trims and built-ins look so much nicer without actually doing anything long term, which could be against your lease, as well as maybe saving part of your security deposit.

[@briandelung1091]

Spent the full day working with that product. I have used it for several years mixed with walnut oil works super well.

[@mccwho]

Thank you, been working on one of my rental properties and the wood cabinets in the kitchen have a lot of wear and light scratches on them. Now I'm going to try this instead of just painting them. Thanks

[@lwb8326]

Been using this product for decades. I love it!

[@sallycebulski9896]

Don’t be afraid of using the feed and wax even if you plan to possibly change the finish of the piece down the road. It’s not a hard paste wax more like a nourishing lotion would be for dry skin. The wood soaks it right up and gives it some protection. I use it regularly on all my wood furniture in my home in Arizona. Since we have such low humidity it helps to keep vintage/antique furniture from drying out

[@michelleherman5298]

When do you use the wax during the process and what is the wax called?

[@sallycebulski9896]

@@michelleherman5298 the brand is Howards and it’s called Feed and Wax. It’s a furniture conditioner. Think of it like lotion for dry hands but for furniture. It’s available at most hardware stores (I get mine at HD) and should also be available online

[@sallycebulski9896]

@@michelleherman5298 it’s the very last step after all other paint steps have been completed and allowed to completely cure. Read on each finish to see curing time. Most are within 7days but some can be as long as 30 days

[@rettpanda6203]

I found this product last year. Talk about freaking AMAZING!!

[@bback4078]

I love your videos. I think it's good to know that Restor-a-finsh is a bad word in MCM restoration groups. The dye in the RAF will stain the areas that the finish has failed or is scratched. Because MCM pieces are mostly toned lacquer, this makes it much harder to do a full authentic refinish on MCM. A couple of y ears before learning the above, I bought RAF for my Ethan Allen desk that I bought at a thrift store for $40. The effect was temporary for sure. I don't say all this to discourage you- I just wouldn't want RAF to cause you customer complaints down the road. 💗

[@blancavr1]

Okay, I'm going to have to try this again. I used in the past and it left a dull almost dirty looking finish. I'll have to try it again. Thank you

[@margomoore4527]

Definitely will use if I can find it. I don’t have too many gross makeovers, but lots of old family furniture that I cherish, that could use some freshening.

[@blacksheephouse]

Yes, it is so good for that!

[@tomsherwood4650]

It is for stuff where you want to preserve the original finish as much as possible like on antique radio cabinets which often get a new poly finish instead of the laquer and look all wrong and yucky afterwards. Their products are worth a try for sure.

[@curtischadd]

I use this on my cherry chairs at the restaurant. Both guys and gals have bling on their jeans on the backside. They scratch my chairs up. I use this about every 6-9 months. Great product. Great video

[@bigrich6750]

I think I actually have some of that but I never used it. My wife bought it but I never knew it could do such an amazing job.

[@francinemiranda8409]

Haven't heard of this particular product, but do know about reamalgamation, and suppose that's what's happening here...many thanks for the heads-up! It does truly seem miraculous! 👍🏻

[@Callylily7]

I wish I had known about this product when I was refinishing furniture. Amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@moonmagnolia7]

Just bought a used dining room table that needs help. Love the results. I’m a new subscriber now. I’ll search for that product.

[@suecox2308]

I've used this product and it does, indeed, do a remarkable job. You might want to try Formby's Furniture Refinisher on another piece--again, an absolutely amazing result on scratched and abused furniture. These products essentially dissolve old-school finishes, like varnish, shellack, French polishing, etc, without damaging the wood itself. They will usually take out stains and water marks, too, as long as they're on the surface.

[@GEOMETRICINK]

I use this all the time. While my kids are young and dinging my furniture I use this stuff. Once they’re out of the house, in college, I’ll take the time to refinish all of my beautiful mid century pieces. Until then, this stuff works great and saves my furniture from having to be sanded many times throughout the years.

[@blacksheephouse]

Yes 🙌 exactly a great solution

[@issabrogue1641]

What an amazing transformation! So chill and fun to watch. Great music and your giddy delight is contagious!! Thanks so much!

[@juliebrandenburg5125]

I am buying!! Asap. I have a table top with glass rings and thought I was going to have to sand down…..I don’t think so now. Cant wait to but this product and try it!!! Everywhere on everything!!!

[@busyme4]

Hi Shannon, always look forward to seeing your new videos; I’ve use it since God knows when, however it’s a temporary fix, it’s good for homeowners who want to give a little lift to furniture that’s looking dull. I wouldn’t do this to something I’m planning to sell.

[@kimfroman2023]

Temporary?

[@AereForst]

That thing is like magic. Never seen a transformation like that!

[@ktb183]

Restoring mid century furniture, this is one of my go-to products. I think I have all the shades. Absolutely fantastic.

[@neva-surrender]

There's different shades?

[@Restorations.by.Rachel]

Thank you! I think this is just what I need for a beautiful chest of drawers I found that has some surface level scratches. Ordering now.

[@josephiinewilson6268]

I have used Restore on some furniture that I have purchased but never on a piece like the last one you showed. I do love the product and the finish stands up really well

[@carolinedubose5136]

Oops! I too have a similar cabinet . The top is missing veneer and I plan on patching that and painting the top. I was hoping to use the restore a finish for the rest of it. Your video is perfectly timed for me. Thank you!!

[@kk_giirl]

My husband and son is making me a desk for my office and I will be staining it which is how I came across your channel. I am def subbing 😊 love your work!

[@mirandamom1346]

I stare at Restore-a-Finish every time I’m in that aisle of the hardware store and wonder if it could possibly do what it claims. I guess so!

[@JT-yz4rj]

It’s paraffin wax/oil thinned with highly toxic and carcinogenic products like MEK and benzene, and acetone. I would most certainly think that the paraffin is responsible for the wet, fresh look on heavy finish damage and all the thinners are intended to dissolve and reconstitute a very thin layer of existing finish and redistribute it. Different thinners in the mix making it compatible to reduce a wide range of finishes. Whether it be urethane, steel, glass, lacquer - I’ve used Meguiar’s 105 and 205 as a safe and more permanent alternative for years.

[@jodycourt]

Do you use Meguiar's in the same way as demonstrated in this video? Curious your process? I see Meguiar's is for cars, right?

[@JT-yz4rj]

@@jodycourt no, the Meguiar’s is used generally with a dual action buffer (I use a porter cable 7424xp). Meguiars uses microabrasives to gently and evenly remove a micro thin top layer of existing finish as you buff like all polishing compounds do. It’s basically very fine liquid sandpaper, they all are. The abrasives break down further as you buff to reach it’s intended “smoothness”, as designed. There are different grades of meguiars compounds depending on what you need and what gloss you want. Buffing pads help you pick further. Generally an Orange (medium) foam buffing pad and Meguair’s 105 (heavier cut) followed by 205 (light finishing cut) will polish anything satisfactorily. By anything, I do mean basically anything. Meguiar’s is generally marketed towards the auto industry but abrasives are abrasives and are pretty much universal. Things like steel will take a heavier cut compound or strong backed sandpaper. It’s a learning process but in the end there becomes nothing you can’t clean up with just those things. Stuff in this video is essentially just chemically stripping a layer off aided with the use of (an abrasive) steel wool and has an added wax/oil to make damaged areas darker and blend in. It’s a temporary fix. One wipe with mineral spirits and those areas will be right back. There is no real replacement for damage except putting the original finish back on.

[@mayorofthenonsense]

We have something similar in Germany called Renowell. It’s a petroleum based product like this one which will blend out superficial scratches and scuffing pretty well, while leaving the entire surface with a wet, freshly oiled look. Though I have to say, this product looks even more effective. But if it’s anything like Renowell, that freshly oiled look will not last forever and any significant scratching will eventually dry out and become visible again - thus it’s really only a temporary substitute for re-finishing. Great when used as a color enhancer on dry wood though.

[@melanies.6030]

Love this stuff, but wish the fumes weren't so noxious. I use a NIOSH mask and do whatever project outside or in the garage. Luckily, I haven't had the need to use it on any built-in cabinets, but if I did, I'd remove the doors and use the Howard's outside. Definitely open windows for good ventilation.

[@blossom1643]

Hey that’s really nice!! Thanks for sharing your discovery with us!! My son is building a new home & planning to put my dad’s homemade mantle in it & that looks like just the thing to buff it up!! I love the rich dark wood colors ❤

[@autojock4472]

Wow! I have a baby grand piano that needs some luv. I have been looking around for something, and I like what I see. This summer, I will get some and start.

[@LilyBecca]

The feed and wax isn't like a gunky wax. It's more like a furniture polish that doesn't stay greasy. You wipe it on and then wait a bit and wipe it off.

[@kenknapp2319]

I've seen the product before but never knew how well it actually worked as to whether to try it or not (alot of times companies exaggerate)... thanks for the video and to the others who've commented about their own experiences

[@lauralake7430]

You can use a green sctch brite pad with it, or 0000 steel wool if its not oak,( oak can react with steel), if the finish is really rough. Its good stuff!

[@andreacook7431]

One of the local antique stores sells a "furniture improver" that does about this same thing, but its less smelly and really makes stuff look good without looking all plastic-y.