Someone Painted this Old Dresser PINK, so I restored it | antique restoration

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This video was sponsored by Woodworkers Guild of America.
I found this old dresser for $35 in the local Habitat for Humanity Store. It looks as though someone recently painted this piece. In this video, I will remove the layers of paint with a chemical stripper, then completely sand the dresser in preparation for a new, lighter finish. Thanks for joining me. Barry
#howto #restoration #furniturerestoration #antique #restore
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🔨🔨TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO
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USE CODE: MADCITY10
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DISCLAIMER: Most Product Links are Affiliate Links, and I may receive a small portion of the sales at no extra cost to you. Always follow proper safety procedures when working on projects and read warning labels on any new products you're using.

[@MadCityModern]

👉 The first 1,000 people to use my link will get a full year of Premium membership to Woodworkers Guild of America for only $1.49: go.wwgoa.com/madcitymodern/

[@jennajunkprincess8631]

It says it needs a code

[@kx4804]

7000 mansion

[@kallymavromatis123]

Oh, that’s lovely, Barry! What I appreciate is that you didn’t dismiss it as “just birch” and paint it. It looks simple and quietly elegant. Well done!

[@rockshot100]

I took that to mean he was happy to see it was birch. I listened twice. When they made that they used oak mostly only for utilitarian things. They didn't like a lot of grain, so birch or maple would have been a better choice for furniture. Unless a tiger oak or a burl, other woods were considered finer and less country or rustic.

[@averilfrances6006]

Simple and elegant was exactly what I was thinking! Love it too.

[@TheGooglyminotaur]

I just built a bed using crap pine. I stained it but it looked great bare. Everyone’s favorite part is the grain pattern! “How did you do that?!” According to KZbin experts, I messed up really badly and poof! Beautiful bed. 😅😂 Justice for all wood! Wood is *beautiful*! Edit: no disrespect for painting. Your furniture should look how you want!

[@ladya1953]

I'm not often so fanciful, but the reveal had me thinking I heard this piece heaving a sigh of relief. ❤

[@HomeFromFarAway]

leaving the wood natural and unstained is just gorgeous!.

[@rockshot100]

And the light wood gives it a scandi vib. I am waiting to hear from him, but I am thinking there is no finish to damage. It probably feels like velvet.

[@gregpendrey6711]

Agreed. Very fresh and calming look! Nice work Sir Barry. 😎 💙

[@keithhaggard323]

This would have been a piece overlooked by most people for the garish paint job and the oddly applied Fleur-De-Lis stamping. You did restore the chest of drawers to a useable, functioning piece of furniture. Great episode Barry.

[@Becky-nn3pu]

Gorgeous! From an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan! Thanks for saving this chest!

[@ElaineWood-f2t]

That dresser was practically screaming for a makeover! You were able to take it from awful to amazing! Great job!!

[@MinnieEvans-m6r]

I have that exact dresser. The screws are the same. The inside of it is exactly the same. It even has cracks in the same place. I painted mine, as arthritis and other physical problems , prevent me from doing the fine work you do. I can't wait to see what yours becomes😊❤

[@pamsheets632]

You saved this discarded ugly dresser life😊! Thank goodness you chose to take a chance on it! Love the natural finish an all the hard work stripping that ugly paint! Turned out gorgeous! 🥰

[@patriciathorp4911]

Lovely job Barry. I love that you waxed it and not used varnish. Simple and plain, but very beautiful...another great save. 💚

[@FloridaClay]

Always a joy to see you work Barry and I admire your gentle spirit.

[@sharontrujillo]

I've been a fan of "bare" for quite some time now...the new knobs were truly all the "glamour" it needed. 🎉

[@Annaklaranna]

This is a beautiful dresser from start to finish, (the pink was well intended 💗💞💗).

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you! 😊

[@happyandblessed5640]

I'm sure this was how it would have looked originally when it was new. Your craftmanship gave this a new lease of life. A true labour of love. Thanks for sharing.

[@tysonperna8844]

When it was new it had that faux wood grain finish that was below the pale paint.

[@happyandblessed5640]

@@tysonperna8844 Wow! I love the care and attention you took to turn this piece into a masterpiece.

[@cynjohnson1967]

@@tysonperna8844 faux tiger oak. I’ve a piece quite like it. Most of the finish remains intact, have to fix a few wear spots on the top. Well built old piece. Looks quite lovely in its natural glory, but would have come from the shop with the old dark tiger oak paint job as styles at the time demanded. Well done saving this piece.

[@tysonperna8844]

@@cynjohnson1967 @happyandblessed5640 It wasn't me who saved it. :D Thank Barry.

[@Dahliaismypassion]

So refreshing to see this piece to be restored to its natural beauty.

[@DaintyDiaries]

Beautiful job Barry, you are like the Bob Ross of furniture makeovers, so relaxing to watch x

[@MadCityModern]

Wow, thank you!

[@noneofbizorjuliejt6466]

WOOOOW!! The woodgrain is gorgeous! Thankyou for leaving it natural!

[@mollynakamori]

You magically turned that sad mess into a classic Shaker chest. So beautiful. I love the color, too!

[@lauralake7430]

The Woodworkers Guild videos are good watching. I've been working on furniture off and on 40 years, with my mom and grandma. But still had plenty to learn. I have started getting interested in the Quebecois pine finishes when I come across softwoods when stripping old pieces. Bleached or scrubbed or the darker ones. So much to learn, so little time to learn it all!❤ It goes without saying id be proud to have this dresser in my home. Beautiful work.

[@wodi28179]

It's a cute little dresser for a child's room the way it is but I can't wait to see it in it's complete restored former glory when you're finished with it! ❤

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you 😊

[@helenablignaut662]

I enjoy the simple lines of this dresser and also the colour of the wood. Thank you for another great video 😊

[@JeffandSarah-dj8ow]

You chose wisely! Wonderful video as always.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you!

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

Once again you worked your magic. Beautiful work.

[@rjspain56]

Good job on this one. I appreciate the new look of this dresser.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you! 😊

[@sharonbelisle550]

From junk to treasure! ❤

[@maryland8532]

The hard work shines with your artistic ability. Now a work of art. Bravo Barry!

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you

[@GeorginaRankin]

I have to say Barry you have done a fantastic job on this piece it will look great in someone's home

[@nancyanneberg403]

I am enthralled by your thinking in the process of refinishing. We benefit from your learnings. Grateful also for the treatment with wax for this church piece. Healing,the whole process.

[@nancyanneberg403]

Birch not church piece

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you so much 😊

[@sharongoodson2857]

Oh my, you did a phenomenal job on that old beauty. Love the light wood, my favorite is natural light wood furniture, like oak. You are a truly amazing at what you do. Keep it up 😊

[@fraserwrobb3075]

Really nice results, Barry. Your work always impresses!

[@melissar357]

Looks great. I love finding things to refinish. Just finished an old buffet found painted and abused sitting by a dumpster. Its now my daughters bar area in her library.

[@MadCityModern]

I love this

[@johnmancusi9053]

Thank you again for a wonderful video your workmanship is outstanding and listening to you is a pleasure

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you so much 😊

[@debigeddes5762]

Another beautiful transformation, Berry. Well done!

[@jennylawson1980]

Its wonderful Barry. We used to have one of those dressers in the basement to store my grandmothers fabric and lace. Yes alot of them were made during their time but few still exist in one piece. Beautiful result Barry ❤

[@karencox3235]

I love this finished piece! A labor of love and it turned out spectacular! The clear wax was a great choice, IMO.

[@nipatkin]

It looks beautiful, Barry! I LOVE it when the natural colour of the wood is celebrated... especially after such painstaking removal of old finishes. Thank you!

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you 😊

[@annw1395]

Looking at the back of the dresser, it was apparent that it had a lot more class than the garish paint would lead you to believe. Altho I would have opted for a stain, it still came out with a quiet dignity. Congratulations on saving its life.

[@MadCityModern]

Great feedback!

[@dannakuhr9718]

Oh, so much better!

[@AngelJul]

Wonderful job my friend. It's so satisfying to see the result of your work! Cheers from Brazil!

[@designabeej]

Beautiful result Barry 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@cherylweso]

It is beautiful! Your hard work paid off.

[@charleneblake1146]

That makeover is spectacular!!!! Well done👏👏👏👏👏

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you! 😊

[@jakimcmurdo4810]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this your respect for the piece was lovely 😁🇬🇧❤️

[@spawnsmom9386]

What started as an ugly duckling, will continue to live on as a beautiful swan. I so appreciate your furniture projects as you endeavor to restore them to their original state. There are only a few restorers who I follow and they are the ones who shy away from paint unless there is so other way to make it usable again. I'm not a huge fan of the "scuff sand and paint" restorers, especially when they have a piece that is truly worthy of restoration to the original finish. Thank you for your content.

[@robynpark9374]

Beautiful work

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you very much!

[@JayRickard]

Delightful! Today was a rough one. I really needed this moment of peace and tranquility. Thank you for sharing, the finish is beautiful!

[@MadCityModern]

This means so much

[@SparrowStockwell]

That turned out really nice.

[@pjd2709]

Love the wax finish on this piece, looks 100% better!

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you 😊

[@christiemay4444]

Very nice! Love the raw wood finish!

[@karyndekeiser-moulton1213]

Great outcome Barry!

[@barbarafling3790]

Great job. What a transformation!

[@ronroche3138]

She looks fantastic. I wasn't sure how well this piece would clean up, but wow, you aced it! Great decision to go with the wax.

[@rockshot100]

He just acts like that to add drama and suspense. He knew it was a good piece. In the days that was made, they didn't do bad work. And yes to the wax, there is no finish to damage.

[@beverlypearce4191]

Beautiful

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you

[@robintheyooper8943]

I love this! Thank you for your hard work!

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you

[@heidisettles5537]

So much good content in this video. So many good supplies featured like the yellow sanding forms, the Sandnet sheets that can be cut to size, the detail picks, etc. Love your outlook on choosing pieces that require hard work and challenges. Folks don't always understand why I choose to do something like this, but you explained it so well. Such a lovely outcome on this project.

[@MadCityModern]

I really appreciate this

[@donnerpartyofone2723]

I have a new appreciation for Birch now. The dresser is lovely, and the chair in the background is very interesting.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you!

[@jerryogorman5895]

Wonderful fantastic thanks Barry

[@MadCityModern]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@walterpiar2859]

Thank you for everything you said in this video I hope that it enlightens and touches many people

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you 😊

[@marshaoflaherty8421]

BEAUTIFUL.

[@foos.998]

I just love your workshop, Barry. I see a lot of things you’ve worked on for the channel, but a lot of other things you’ve collected over the years. I just want to come hang out in that shop :)

[@MadCityModern]

Wow, thanks

[@claudiarohlfs3747]

this little dresser turned out so sweet..... I love that you stuck to the original woodtone and surface! would fit in my little old german farmhouse perfectly ❤❤ love from germany

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you for the support from Germany 🇩🇪

[@paulabodine5317]

Turned out nice

[@minkybear9929]

Gorgeous finish.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you!

[@colleenkidwell5820]

That was a dresser that had a faux oak finish originally. Very nice clean finish you gave it.

[@rockshot100]

You mean like a tiger oak finish? The reason I would argue that is that they were carful and selective with the veneer.

[@colleenkidwell5820]

@@rockshot100 you can see the painted oak finish underneath as he was stripping it off.

[@leewood729]

Nothing wrong with birch. And the choice of wax over finish or stain was a good one - this is lovely just as it is.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you

[@anna-taniatransylove5762]

How nice 🙂

[@MadCityModern]

Thanks 😊

[@c.a.chambers68]

Nice job on this one

[@SharonRaeRyan]

I love seeing a piece of furniture like this saved from a possible future at the dumpster and returned to a wonderful, simple, but usable state. The wax was a great choice. I hope this piece can live a long and happy life!

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you so much 😊

[@angusmclaren6257]

From a pinkish purple disaster to s nice clean good looking chest of drawers.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you

[@adriannehamilton2866]

U said against ur better judgement in the beginning. But u have all the best tools in order to do it justice. It's therapy and they turn out looking good. Give yourself a pat on your back. 😊👍🏾

[@adapoole4515]

it looks great

[@yvonnepagan9912]

I’m always impressed by your technique, your narrations and your decisions on finishes. Another monster turned back into plain but delicate piece of furniture! No one would believe they were the same set of drawers! Well done, again, Barry!❤️

[@isabelacha4828]

QUEDÓ MUY HERMOSO... FELICITACIONES...

[@reb4898]

beautiful transformation…

[@barbaralamoreaux328]

Nice job! (As always)

[@sallypettit7156]

It is beautiful.

[@babsil30]

Beautiful light wood tone! Only birch I’m familiar with are kitchen cabinets made out of birch.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you for sharing this

[@kaboombox1581]

Much prefer the simple clear birch finish over what appears to have been a faux quarter saw oak finish. Nice result.

[@staceylynn1208]

omg wow I LOVE it your amazing at this

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you so much!!

[@tygrkhat4087]

I have a dresser that is very close in looks to the restored piece. I'm pretty sure it was my dad's when he was younger, so it's probably over 90 years old.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you for sharing

[@audrey5941]

I don’t know why I think of food as you strip away paint. This color had me thinking of blueberry yogurt. 😅 It turned out great- of course. Always enjoy your work.

[@LadyLeigh]

Glad you specified the wood type as I was trying to guess but I was way off with “Ash’! Brilliant and sympathetic restoration! 🤗🇦🇺

[@MadCityModern]

Glad you liked it!

[@user-ma7ri7na7p]

Это шедевр. 😍🥰👍🏻🔥🤍💙❤️

[@1g412]

You remind me of Bob Ross the painter 😊.

[@statewench2828]

IT's not a millon Dollar piece but it sure did turn out nice. Good to see you again my friend. Hope all is well and you are happy.

[@teresatiradoalonso4139]

El cambio....❤❤❤ Nadie hubiera dado un duro por el

[@shellydehart8217]

Barry, you did an awesome job on this dresser. It’s beautiful. Wise choice in leaving in its natural state. I’ve seen these type of dressers (which I love) but I don’t remember ever seeing them in a different type of wood, it’s usually in oak. Have you decided to keep it or let it move on? ♥️♥️😊👍👍👍👍🌟

[@MadCityModern]

This one has moved on

[@jered1940]

❤love it

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you 😊

[@cgbryt]

Ficou linda. Estava terrivelmente feia e pintada e agora teve a sua dignidade restaurada! 👏🏼🇧🇷

[@fdort3971]

@MadCityModern Barry you always do well! You are full of tips. I agree every piece has a tale to tell. I'm currently working on an antique children's rocking chair that was badly damaged in a flood. For a year I've been trying to find out how to repair it. Either I didn't get an answer or they didn't know or said just replace it. The The seat, the under seat brace and the brace where the spindles go were rippled in between straight layers...4mm ply of 2 species are laminated together. This belongs to a friend of mine who was one of the few people who stood up for me growing up abused...this is definitely a labour of love. After watching people like yourself I decided to go with instinct. If I replaced the three pieces...there would be very little history left. I disassembled the seat parts and soaked the spindle base in soapy water as hot as I could stand it with nitrile gloves on for a few minutes. I used a thin, sharp plastic scraper used for scraping dishes in between the layers in a slicing motion. As I suspected the layers gradually released with persuasion! The support and seat were not as easy because of their sizes. I carefully used a large thin putty scraper around the edges. Then I followed up with a very large, thin cake lifter paddle! I normally kept a hand pushing down on the wood to ensure I didn't raise each layer too much. The wood was very brittle but I managed to segregate each layer with minimal breakage! Once separated, I resoaked each layer for a few seconds, restacked them and clamped them down evenly. So far so good! It's unrippling. I have not checked today yet but if it's completely unrippled, I will gently sand both sides of each layer and reglue them. I know I will have to fill in some gaps. I will likely have to reshape the edges. I'm so pleased with myself for accomplishing what others said couldn't be done!

[@MadCityModern]

Wow. As I read this, I kept thinking, this is exactly the way I learn. From all the experiments along the way. Thank you for sharing

[@mrsspeech]

It's the not the destination but the journey

[@MadCityModern]

Well said

[@Maitree15]

BEAUTIFUL, from an ugly duckling. I would prefer the wheels though. I am also surprised you didnt have to do a lot of fixing!

[@isabelle1976]

Beatiful work, that bring back to life that poor abused dresser. If I may make a constructive suggestion, I 'd say that the reveal would gain a lot if there wasn't the workshop background distracting the viewer's eyes from the piece. A plain background would give it better justice by making it the unique focal point. Thanks for your content.

[@joricardochard2824]

Honestly, finding keys to fit this piece would have lifted it even more.

[@GrampaGrizzle]

I agree somethings are not worth the purist time and trouble. That being said, steel wool in my best friend. Rare for me to use sand paper.

[@williamharris8367]

How much of an inspection are you normally able to do in-store? Can you carefully check for structural damage and/or determine the underlying type of wood, or is it a more matter of taking the piece as-is and hoping for the best?

[@aliceschmid9697]

I am a woman. I have always wanted to do woodworking (I have done mostly sewing, knitting like projects) but don't have the vaguest idea as to how to get started. Could you recommend a tutorial or a course? do I need arms as strong as yours to do a project like this?

[@mrscalifdreamer]

ah...perfect! I'm looking for a small chest of drawers like this one for my first great grandchild...Don't know if I'll have time to refinish by the time he is coming to live with us. He's 3 months old. How many hours did you put into this one?

[@nmb321mimesecretary]

The gold symbols on the dresser represent the richest French Royal families.

[@MadCityModern]

Love this feedback

[@kennethmiller2333]

At 4mm, that's not veneer; that's cladding!

[@kimzimmerman2492]

Quick question before I get into the video. The lift like hand truck you use in the very beginning of the video is really great, I have been looking for something like this for quite a while. Would it be possible to provide either the name/manufacturer or a link? I love that you can use as a hand truck but also lift the piece off the ground somewhat. Thanks for your help!

[@kimzimmerman2492]

You addressed my question shortly after I restarted the video, how cool was that?! thanks again. Also the dresser turned out really beautiful!