top of page
Search

AMAZING RESTORATION of RARE VINTAGE 1930s WATERFALL DRESSER

This vintage waterfall dresser had been spray painted with primer and used in a garage to store tools for many years. It was calling out to me to restore it. Unfortunately, when I stripped off the paint, the years of abuse and neglect were apparent! Cigarette burns were noted on the top and hundreds of scratches, gouges and marred areas littered the top and sides.


I have never seen such a badly damaged finish!


While these areas were not scratched very deep into the wood veneer, they were embedded with years and years of dirt, oil and grime! Simple sanding would never have gotten rid of them because it would have gone through the veneer.


More drastic measures were required. I kept asking myself, "Can I restore this original stained finish on the top and sides or should I just paint it and stain the drawers?" It certainly would have been easiest to simply paint the top and sides black and stain the drawers.


I wanted to give it my best to try to restore it ..... watch the video to see if I was successful!


To view the full video showing the entire restoration, click on the link below:

https://youtu.be/DDp9WhJ3BHo


Supplies used in this video:

Varathane water base polyurethane

Krud Kutter

Mister for water

Respirator with safety glasses

Dust mask

Mineral Spirits

Klean Strip Paint Stripper

Steel Wool Pads #3

Steel Wool Pads super fine

Plastic putty knives

Varathane Premium Wood Stain DARK WALNUT

Dewalt Orbital Sander

9 in one painters tool

putty knife set

220 grit sandpaper for orbital sander


Additional products I find helpful in flipping furniture:

Zibra grip n glide 2 inch paint brush

Assorted Sanding Sponges

Gray wood contact paper (for drawer bottoms)

Beech wood contact paper (for drawer bottoms)Chair Table Leg floor protectors

Respirator with safety glasses

Respirator Replacement Cartridges

Rub N Buff

Replacement battery for Ryobi power tools

Ryobi 7 1/4 in Battery powered Miter Saw

Ryobi Electric 7 1/4 in Miter Saw

Irwin 24 inch bar clamp (I use at least 2 each time I need them)

Steel Bar Clamps

5in Clear stretch wrap film (to protect furniture for delivery)

18 in clear stretch wrap film

22 in wooden drawer slide (cut to fit)

Tack in Drawer Glides

Orange Oil to make furniture wax

Beeswax Pellets to make furniture wax

Mitre Shears

Tape & Drape plastic film with masking tape edge

Weldbond Multi Purpose Glue

1/8 in x 36 in. unfinished dowel rods

Japanese pull saw

Mitre Shears

Electric Hand Planer

Contour Scraper from Harbor Freight


Please read all labels and follow all manufacturer safety recommendations when working with paints, stains, and other equipment and wear and use appropriate personal protection equipment. Viewers should attempt these projects at their own risk.

55 views0 comments
bottom of page