Restore a Wood Finish Using Howard’s Restor-a-Finish
Learn how to restore a wood finish using Howard's Restor-a-Finish. It's so quick and easy and can revive a home decor piece.
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Thrift Store Makeover Day
Join us each month for NEW thrifty ideas from the team. You'll find links to all of the projects below.
Use the slider below to see the before and after!
The changes on this project are very subtle, but will hopefully help you to give new life to some of your stained decor pieces or thrifty finds.
What is Restor-a-Finish
Restor-A-Finish is a unique formula that contains just the right amount of solvent blended with stain and mineral oil. The product penetrates through the existing finish. It blends out light scratches, sun fade, and other damage. It restores the color and luster in one step.
It works best on older finishes, such as shellac or lacquer, but may struggle with harder, modern finishes like polyurethane, where it may not fully penetrate. It’s not ideal for hard, plastic-like coatings, imitation wood finishes, deep scratches, chips, raw wood, thick polyurethane layers, or exterior surfaces.
All in all, Restor-a-Finish is meant to freshen up older stained pieces. It does not replace stripping and restaining pieces. You will want to pick a shade close to the color of the existing piece.
Supplies Used
How-To
In this case, this piece was in pretty good shape to start. If you see the photo below, note the areas of wear.
Notice that there are quite a few scratches here and there and minor blemishes on top.
The wooden exterior is in excellent shape at the start. It just needed a bit of cleaning and a slight finish refresh.
While a lovely piece, it is not what I'd call vintage. It is nicely made but mass-produced and not old.
The age of the decor piece is a tell-tell sign that using this product may not yield the most change due to the finish on top of the stain.
While the interior felt has a little discoloration, for the most part…..looks ok. It was quite dirty.
Next, I pulled off a sheet from a lint roller. I then used it all over the felt removing dirt, lint, and hair. I used several sheets.
Sometimes you need to get creative with cleaning. The interior mirror was a dirty. It was difficult to get down below the back to clean the mirror. I sprayed Windex onto a paper towel. Then, I used a paint stir stick to reach further on the mirror.
Before using the Restor-a-Finish, cover any hardware with painter's tape.
While we are here close up, notice the scratches along the edges.
Saturate a section of a rag with the Restor-a-Finish.
Apply it in sections to the stained areas. Work with the grain of the wood.
You will immediately wipe it off with a clean rag going with the grain of the wood.
You can see the shine the wet product adds.
Since this product has a few minor scratches and scuffs directly in the finish, the Restor-a-Finish was able to penetrate those worn areas that were free of the poly finish.
Due to this being a newer type of finish, you are not going to see a major change. It will grab to those raw scuffs and scratches, but will NOT stick to anything else.
This is a perfect example of a piece that benefit from just using a stain touch-up stick. Since there were scuffs on the top, it did help to give a subtle sheen.
The Finished Product
It did freshen the piece up.
The scratching and scuffs are minimized. Do you notice the key?
You can find replacement keys on Amazon. It can be hit or miss finding the right one. Just look at the hole the key goes into for shape. Read reviews and look at customer photos. This key could be a bit bigger, but it works! Just search for Skeleton Keys. (Click the before link…I did it for you.)
This jewelry box is one my daughter found at an estate sale. They have been going to a lot of them recently. They recently purchased a wonderful dining table and chairs at one of the subdivisions right across from theirs. They have enjoyed the hunt.
She brought it to me and asked if I could freshen it up for a thrift store post. While she wished that the finish could have been darkened, she is so happy that it looks so much better. It's a great box!
Looking for a vintage way to store necklaces? Busts are a fabulous choice. Just measure to make sure it is tall enough for your necklaces.
More Projects with Restor-a-Finish
This thrifted lamp received a Restor-a-Finish treatment on the base. It truly brought it back to life. You can read all about this lamp makeover HERE.
This ice bucket turned Christmas tree stand is a fabulous example of what Restor-a-Finish can achieve.
Up next on my Restor-a-Finish projects is this secretary. I adore this Craigslist piece that we bought for under $200. It's the perfect candidate for the product. That little waste basket was also a thrifty makeover.
Check out the Team's Projects
Petticoat Junktion – Paint a Bamboo Tray
My Repurposed Life – Vintage Oak Cane Chair Makeover
My. Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – How to Style a Glass Cloche
Shop at Blu- Kitchen Utensil Decor
Christy has been creating content for Our Southern Home since 2012. She has been featured in numerous print and online publications. Her classic, eclectic design approach spans her home and fashion style. Christy has a way of mixing store-bought with thrift store, antique and vintage finds. As a recent empty nester, she is having fun navigating this new stage of life. Read more about Christy HERE. Be sure to subscribe below. You can also contact me HERE.
This sounds like the perfect product for items that need a little touching up. I need to try it on a piece of furniture we have! Thanks so much for sharing!