Midcentury Modern Furniture Flip | How to Restore Wood Veneer to a Natural Wood Finish!

[@KnowCanDo]

Enjoy my videos and want to support my channel? Consider gifting something from my Amazon Wishlist! I'll give you a shoutout in the video when I use the product!! Thanks so much for your support :) - Clara amzn.to/3xslNWx

[@katherineharper-sj4ys]

Thanks for the great tip for the orbital sander shop vac connection.

[@rhondatoben7057]

wonderful tip on sander and shop vac

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

She’s back! And wearing an ASU sweatshirt!! That’s my alma mater! Woot woot! ❤️❤️

[@KnowCanDo]

Woo woo! Yes I've been back but KZbin is NOT pushing out my videos all my last 4 or so have been 10/10 on performance 😢 Gotta keep on keepin on! ;) And yes, ASU hah! So funny. okay, so I am 30 years old, but when I was in seventh grade (12 years old??) one of my friends moved to AZ. When she came back to visit she brought me this ASU sweatshirt. Still have it. Still wear it. 18 years later hahah!!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

@@KnowCanDo Yea keep up the good work. You'll get there again. Happy turkey day my friend!

[@ChicAntiquebyHolly]

That wood grain is STUNNING

[@KnowCanDo]

Right?! It just sold. I was sad to say goodbye to this one!

[@AskingSpot]

I am so happy to hear I’m not the only one who has problems with Citrus strip! It does the job but it frustrating to say the least!

[@KnowCanDo]

Ack! Yeah, you're totally right. I need to try something else cuz I'm OVER IT! ;)

[@QuinnHomes]

You did a fantastic job. This piece looks considerably better than the spray-on factory finish. You definitely took this piece to a higher level. Well done!!

[@evepaludan7713]

I don't know how to tell, but I think the veneer is teak. It looks like a Danish mid-century modern design, but I am no expert. I think you could get $350. Love the chevron-style veneer cuts they did. This was well made and I am so happy you restored it to its original beauty.

[@KnowCanDo]

Oooh, that's interesting, Eve! I will need to post a picture and have more people weigh in. I really am not great with wood identification yet! Thanks for watching :)

[@yvettewallus119]

@@KnowCanDo I think Eve is right. Looks like teak. I'm not sure about $350 but it entirely depends on your area.

[@evepaludan7713]

@@KnowCanDo I love watching your videos. p.s.The straightness of the wood grain (almost parallel lines in most places), very few knots, and the color make me think it is teak.

[@lfuentes4098]

I think it’s walnut

[@trichomes420]

I think it’s oak

[@lizhoward9754]

I love how this turned out!! Love that wood. You did it right by refinishing and not painting

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks Liz! I was so glad it didn't have any huge issues in the veneer so that I was able to restore it :)

[@marykspencer1111]

Your patience and muscle paid off. That was a lot of sanding. Absolutely amazing!

[@KnowCanDo]

Thank you so so much, Mary. You're right, it WAS a lot of sanding! 😂 Paid off though :)

[@shirley1091]

Very incredible! Good job girl!! Just remember when it comes to the haters they just sad ppl. And when they go low you go high. I want to make the world a better place. Look for the beauty every where. And live can be so much more enjoyable!

[@kristen6572]

I feel you! I want a surf prep too!!

[@KnowCanDo]

Yes, Kristen!! They seem soooooo nice! What do you use instead right now?

[@CopperCactusDIY]

This is gorgeous! I love that you fully restored that veneer. She's ready for her closeup now! Congrats on 5k! 👏

[@KnowCanDo]

Thank you thank you!

[@maeganstandart2566]

Love the tutorial!! Also I saw videos & on Pinterest people using EasyOff oven cleaner to strip the paint.

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks!! Please be careful. Watch this before using easy off! It’s not Made for furniture :) a GREAT alternative is QCS from the brand StripWell. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKncnKdtnLx1iZI

[@KatieBurkhartOfficial]

Sun Devils!! Love this DIY, I'm about to refinish a 50's bedroom set, getting my mind prepped 😂

[@linguaphile42]

Had a bad experience with citrus stripper, too! Was trying to strip my wooden porch rocking chairs and it was such a mess. One guy I'm watching uses a steel paint scraper, and I think I would use that next time. No chemicals, seems to come off cleanly, and not tough to learn how to do. I love your style and all the pieces you do!

[@KnowCanDo]

Oh my gosh!! Rocking chairs seem like they would be such a disaster because of all the parts! Is that Dashner that you watch? I love his channel and I actually recently BOUGHT a scraper, and spoiler alert for 2 or 3 weeks from now video but hahahah I totally screwed it up with that too! 😂

[@linguaphile42]

@@KnowCanDo Yes, he's the one! These videos are like therapy to me. And yes, those rockers were a bear. Finally one of my students told me, "Just spray paint over it all. That's what my family does all the time." I did, and they look fine. Not like your beautiful pieces, of course, but good enough for another year. Looking forward to your scraper video!

[@dawnziccardi8205]

That really turned out nice!

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks, Dawn!!

[@ava_f]

Wow, this turned out beautifully! Excellent job.

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much, Ava! It was a fun one :)

[@dlarson1965]

Wow what a beauty! The night stand isn't bad either.

[@conniefortner8750]

Even with the mess of the stripper you still did an amazing job with this piece. I have wanted a surfprep sander for forever now too. Maybe some day!

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much, Connie! Yes... hopefully one day. We can dream! :)

[@cathismith4497]

@@KnowCanDo I think all of us who restore furniture want a surf prep; need to save up for it, I think it will be a great investment.

[@rhicksmtb]

I so appreciate your drive, and you seem like a pretty patient person....lol

[@pattio.656]

WOWZA‼️ It’s a Beauty😍

[@KnowCanDo]

Thank you Patti!!!!

[@KeithErlandson]

Well hello I looked all over the WWW videos for restoration of 60s - 70s wood veneer speakers. It landed me here. There are plenty of videos of how to veneer but not the reverse. So I have a beautiful pair of vintage speakers coming to me tomorrow and I was all sort of mixed up. So I think a strip, sand? Or just sand as itsa very easy box lol. I want to sand it down to natural color and leave it alone. This will be a pair of speakers I can play with. They are pretty dark with the stain on there now. I want to lighten them up and leave them alone. Any tips I would truly appreciate. I will check back when finished. Thank you for your video and instructions.

[@kathieendresz7841]

What type of stain did you use? I bought penetrating before I stripped off the paint and found that the top of my dresser was veneer and now I don't know if I have the right stain. Thanks. The night stand is lovely.

[@kencochrane8795]

The veneer chips are easy to repair! Makes a more perfect job!

[@rawiriparaha7917]

Brilliance.. you are a fantastic teacher. Thank you 😊

[@lindacarden9698]

This style would have also looked with a pop of color in the opening. Great transformation.

[@KnowCanDo]

Totally. Thanks, Linda!

[@FurnitureWarriors]

We use the Klean Strip 15 minute formula after the same experiences with Citri-Strip. We love the look of the restored wood on this piece! In this case, so much better than painting! Awesome!😀

[@KnowCanDo]

Oh good!!! Thanks for letting me know, I definitely NEED to try that out. :)

[@phyllishume5854]

Very nice!

[@statementdesigns]

Lots of work! Turned out nice❣

[@KnowCanDo]

Truly. Thanks 💕

[@richardtaylor3275]

Really nice finish

[@mands4253]

What grit sanding disc do you use?

[@katherinequesada7382]

Have you used minwax refinishing product. No sanding it gives the original finish around you can seal with a mat varnish or oil? What do you think

[@MasterArmedforces]

What brand and model is the sander? thanks

[@LilyBecca]

It's stunning!

[@sihatchyvtec]

Curious, what is the time lapse of this from start to finish? I agree citristrip is not the best and it's a fine line with sanding to not bust through the veneer, I'm working on my first Mahogany Veneer dresser.

[@mcm.walnuter3479]

Looks amazing 👌. Pricing depends on your area. As for the stripper you used, I've read how bad/useless it is. I use klean strip. I'm in Canada btw. To bring out the wood grain, I use Tung oil. It's amazing too.

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much! yes, I've heard about kwik strip maybe I'll have to try it. And thanks! I've never heard of Tung oil, I'll have to check it out!

[@mcm.walnuter3479]

@@KnowCanDo there is tung oil..Danish oil and teak oil. You can also get them with a deeper tone to them, if the walnut or whatever veneer isn't popping a great colour grain. It takes several coats.

[@kimberlyakers5923]

really nice.

[@KnowCanDo]

Thank you, Kimberly! Cheers!

[@TheEliteCrash]

HI :) how do you know when to stop sanding. Like how do i know i'm about to bust through the vineer?

[@petestaint8312]

Fantastic! How often must you reapply the Howard? Thanks for posting. 👍

[@ashleyosborne6239]

I know this is from a few months back but W O W!!! That wood grain is GORGEOUS!! You did an amazing job and restoring this piece. So I’m sure you’ve gone to something else by now, but just in case: reminder to never use Citrus Strip ever again😂. The 15 min Klean Strip is great. Jasco makes a really good one too. Just make sure to get the gel formula. I did a piece similar (with a shelves) where sanding in the corners was almost impossible, so I took the back board off for easier access. I hope you get your Surf Prep Sanding System, I got mine for my birthday last yr (we waited until their Black Friday sale and used Crys’Dawna’s discount code for 20% off) and it is a game changer. Well worth the investment, but they are pricey. Really enjoying your videos, just subscribed.💜

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks Ashley!! Amazing. SurfPrep one day!!!! That was smart to time it like that, i'll have to keep that in in mind :) Thanks for watching!

[@doddnejadfard3251]

Love it ,,beautiful wood

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks, Dodd! I was shocked with how gorgeous the wood was!

[@AnnElizabethO]

So very Beautiful

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much, Gayle!

[@creationsbykat.k6413]

I’m not a huge fan of citrus strip either. It’s always such a mess. I use kwik strip now. It just seems to be less sticky and way easier to deactivate. I love this piece.

[@KnowCanDo]

Ohhhh good to know Kat. I will have to try Kwik strip next time!! thanks

[@davidprazynski6045]

Ohhhhhh! Such hard work! I recommend gently removing the back of the nightstand board. It will give you full access to the tough corners to sand. ~ Debbi

[@KnowCanDo]

Oh my goodness, that is such a great idea!! Thanks, Debbi :)

[@MaryReinhardt-f9t]

I have trouble with the citrus strip too!

[@ottomedic51texas75]

I only use Kutzit to strip my furniture. It’s liquid and I use steel wool and wipe it off with paper towels. I leave the paper towels out to dry then throw them away. It’s soooo much easier than gloopy stripper.

[@bigkeg9173]

Here in Australia, you might get $200 Love that veneer 😊

[@KnowCanDo]

Good to know good to know!! Thanks for watching :) I love the veneer too!

[@elfinmidcentury3896]

Fantastic job, great vid too!

[@charleneshinsky1248]

Incredible. Does the finish need sealed?

[@KnowCanDo]

I didn’t but I think it could be wise to otherwise you have to oil it a lot

[@NatTayHill]

Beautiful!

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much, Natalie!

[@ricjamil3073]

It looks great! Love the top veneer.

[@amyeitelberg1598]

Thank you for this video. I am currently refinishing a beautiful dresser with veneer. I was wondering if I could use a stripper. Can you bleach it or would it loosen the veneer? 😃

[@kevinwalker7392]

What grit sand paper did you use? I want to keep my veener on and not remove the veener completely.

[@KnowCanDo]

This was a couple years ago so I don’t remember but you could Try starting with something gentle like 220 and if it’s not working try 180 etc. I wouldn’t go below 120

[@hainesjk63]

Did you put anything on the top to protect it? Clear polyurethane or polycrylic?

[@KnowCanDo]

I used a soft wax.

[@juanitarodriguez1170]

It turned our gorgeous! Did you sell it? You put a lot of time and hard labor in it, I hope you got a good price for it if you did sell it. I love MCM furniture, and the natural wood grain on this piece is beautiful!

[@MadMikeee72]

Surfprep sanders are all the rage right now but I would start with trying a good foam sanding pad with your regular sander and sandpaper. It may do the trick instead of spending so much up front.

[@KnowCanDo]

Totally. Yes, Mike, that's the plan! I found some sanding sponge foam pad things to go on the orbital sander. Trying that next! Thanks.

[@gailnye9791]

$350.00 to $400.00. I would pay that! Take into account the hours you’ve spent, the amount you’ve spent, and give yourself $45.00 to $50.00 an hour profit. You don’t need luck, it will sell! Absolutely gorgeous!

[@KnowCanDo]

Totally. Thanks, Gail! I appreciate your suggestions!!!!

[@yvettewallus119]

While you're waiting on your Surf Prep, you might pick up some 3M Pro sanding pads in 120 grit. I'm telling you, it's the only kind I use now because nothing else compares.

[@KnowCanDo]

OOOOH! Yvette, thanks for the tip. I will check this out ASAP!

[@KnowCanDo]

Yvette, are these the ones you're speaking of? www.amazon.com/3M-Pro-Pad-Sanding-2-88-Inch-5-Inch/dp/B001RB20CW

[@yvettewallus119]

@@KnowCanDo add some to your wishlist. I’d love to send you some. 💟

[@KnowCanDo]

Done! I could only find one for 150 Grit but I'm sure that will be great too ;) Thanks Yvette!

[@kristinmcfall2686]

Love this one so much!!!!

[@denisegilliam842]

It’s lovely

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much, Denise. A much needed facelift!

[@ggmax2958]

if you live in Canada they have a stripper called 1850, from what I have seen it works better than Citrus Stripper

[@KnowCanDo]

Ooh good to know. I’m in the US but I’m sure there are better options here too :)

[@MCav-g8b]

Ditch the citristrip and just use acetone to get the finish off. I apply it with a merlon-type pad, scrub a little and quickly wipe off with a paper towl.

[@menjen72]

LOVE IT!! Lots of elbow grease, but the finished piece is gorgeous!! Congratulations on hitting 5k!! P.S. I do NOT love Citri Strip!! Never again!

[@KnowCanDo]

Jen, thank you!!!! And yes hahah. DONE with Citristrip bye bye!

[@Jaques2go]

Thats a lovely job...far as chips go, if you use a wood filler and a tooth pick to make a little grain in to match the veneer pattern, if youre staining after...i o ow u didnt on this piece, then it eill look pretty.good. well done.

[@kathleenhernandez3772]

Looks great, surf prep is $700.

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks! And yep... thus the reason I don't have one yet 😂

[@brittnyblain9762]

Try a diff stripper... Anything other than citrostrip. You have to do like a half inch coat and leave it overnight with saran wrap... Try quick strip, kleen strip etc

[@UnclePetrol]

I would use a quality varnish remover instead of sanding. Try a 00 steel wool to remove the gunk. Afterwards clean it up with solarine

[@Aaakeith]

Loved this video! I’m about to start restoring an MCM dining table I found on marketplace. I see you used a soft wax for the finish on this, would you recommend this for a dining table as well? Or something sturdier due to the high-use surface?

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks! I’d recommend using polyurethane - that will cure and be hard

[@girlgeniusII]

Try using denatured alcohol and steel wool to remove the finish, I also hate citrastrip.

[@catofthecastle1681]

Did you know that surf prep has the soft sanding pads for every sander? I just ordered a set for all my sanders! They’re amazing! And not terribly expensive!

[@KnowCanDo]

Oooh! Can you send me a link please?? I need some for my orbital sander !

[@galady8632]

Definitely a stunning piece! Since the pandemic my area is flooded with people flipping furniture. Some people do not sand or clean anything, it's sad and often nasty. Of course that can impact prices. 2 yrs ago I believe your lovely MCM piece could easily sell for over $325 in my area. I now believe it would be in the $200 range, possibly less. Of course I see more value than the latter price. After seeing pictures of 'flipped' furniture with spider webs and kiddie stickers covered in paint I admit it's disappointing. I continue to work on pieces, I need the creative outlet. With Christmas approaching I have switched my focus to more novelty creations, small chest-of-drawers that would appeal to young children. I use silicone molds and fast curing resin to create unique drawer handles/knobs and unusual colors to create Elsa, mermaid, Spider-Man, Pirate, etc themed pieces. I prefer MCM pieces but my house is full.

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks for your ideas! Oh man, yeah that's a good point. Where in GA are you? That's so frustrating about the overwhelm of flipped stuff. There are definitely a lot of flippers here in Portland, but luckily the area is so big I feel like it's still okay... Lots of MCM stuff too! Yes, the creative outlet of all this is so so important. I'm so glad you have that! It sounds like you've found some really creative ways to keep it all going. Cheers!

[@charlesetheridge9380]

Good darn job

[@charleneshinsky1248]

Amazing

[@lfuentes4098]

Beautiful

[@Nowayjose-vd1wm]

The stripping/sanding is the worst, for me at least, sooo I bought a sand blasting gun at Harbour Freight for less than $30. I put regular baking soda in the hopper and hook up to an air hose/compressor then blast the finish off...IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!!

[@1Andelina1]

Teak vibes!

[@teresagrigsby-rose8761]

If u find a connection at surf prep, hook me up! I'd love to have one! Nice work!

[@cookinginthecabin]

Turned out beautifully! I too am not a fan of stripper😝

[@KnowCanDo]

Thanks so much! Yeah... it's so annoying! What do you do instead? Just sand?

[@cookinginthecabin]

Also thanks for the hack with the shop vac by the way. I’ll have to try it 😊

[@deborahschipper1520]

Nice job. I would have painted

[@KnowCanDo]

Painted pieces coming next week!

[@urwholefamilydied]

you paint pine furniture... you don't paint over beautiful teak veneer.

[@rhiannonrising]

Yep Citrus Strip is the worst. QCS or KwikStrip for me.

[@pato6334]

Ok, don’t ever use Citrus Strip again. There! If it’s a lacquer based finish like that use use Minwax Antique Furniture Refinisher. Otherwise use Klean Strip or some other more toxically effective with an organic vapor respirator. The piece turned out beautifully, love a good restoration job, especially on MCM pieces.

[@KnowCanDo]

Haha, yes Clyde! I know, I know.... but I was thinking that I already have it!! Haha. Definitely going to try soemthing more toxic and effective next time :)

[@modusceo]

Highly highly suggest not using citristrip- strip well all the way. If it goes past the stain color, it’ll darken the wood down through the veneer

[@kiwigirlNZ]

I disagree. I use citristrip on all my furniture, and have not had that experience. I’m currently working on a that is a very light coloured wood, and it’s perfect. The original colour is not darkened at all.

[@davidweidenkopf5860]

Everyone, repeat after me, always with the grain! Not sure how this piece did not get ruined.

[@brittnyblain9762]

Don't waste your chemical cartridges on dust!! They're expensive! Use the bright pink dust ones... They look like neon pancakes lol

[@Karamel404]

Scrape it, don't sand it

[@KnowCanDo]

Love my carbide scraper and wish I had known what they were when I did this project lol

[@antonshkabara3090]

I've heard good feedback about the Woodglut plans.

[@KeithErlandson]

Well hello I looked all over the WWW videos for restoration of 60s - 70s wood veneer speakers. It landed me here. There are plenty of videos of how to veneer but not the reverse. So I have a beautiful pair of vintage speakers coming to me tomorrow and I was all sort of mixed up. So I think a strip, sand? Or just sand as itsa very easy box lol. I want to sand it down to natural color and leave it alone. This will be a pair of speakers I can play with. They are pretty dark with the stain on there now. I want to lighten them up and leave them alone. Any tips I would truly appreciate. I will check back when finished. Thank you for your video and instructions.

[@phyllishume5854]

Very nice!

[@KnowCanDo]

Thank you dear Phyllis!

[@KeithErlandson]

Well hello I looked all over the WWW videos for restoration of 60s - 70s wood veneer speakers. It landed me here. There are plenty of videos of how to veneer but not the reverse. So I have a beautiful pair of vintage speakers coming to me tomorrow and I was all sort of mixed up. So I think a strip, sand? Or just sand as itsa very easy box lol. I want to sand it down to natural color and leave it alone. This will be a pair of speakers I can play with. They are pretty dark with the stain on there now. I want to lighten them up and leave them alone. Any tips I would truly appreciate. I will check back when finished. Thank you for your video and instructions.