LKH Services

The best furniture I’ve refinished has come from thrift stores, or a relative’s “get rid of this” pile. If you’ve ever looked at a scratched-up dresser or a wobbly side table and wondered whether it’s worth saving, here’s the process I use to find out.

1. Check the bones first

Cosmetic damage — scratches, stains, ugly paint — is almost always fixable. Structural damage is more challenging but doable. I check for solid wood joints (not just glued particleboard), drawers that still slide, and no major water damage or soft, spongy wood. If the bones are good, everything else is just labor.

2. Clean and assess

Before any sanding, I give the piece a real cleaning — degreaser and mild soap and water. Dirt and grime hide underneath what looks like “damage,” and sometimes a good clean reveals the wood needs a lot less work than I expected.

3. Sand with a plan

I start with a coarser grit (120) to strip old finish and smooth major imperfections, then move to a finer grit (180-220) for a smooth surface that takes paint or stain evenly. Sanding blocks or an orbital sander both work — the goal is even pressure, not speed.

4. Choose paint or stain based on the wood

If the wood grain is beautiful, I stain to show it off. If the piece is a mix of materials, has stains that won’t sand out, or the wood itself is unremarkable, paint covers a multitude of sins.

5. Seal it for real life

A finish that looks good but scratches off in a month isn’t finished. I use cabinet style paint that is extremely durable — and high performance polyurethane to seal wood. This is what makes a piece last, not just look nice for a photo.

What I always check before buying a piece to flip

• Solid wood construction is ideal, some laminate is acceptable
• Drawers and doors that open, close, and align properly
• No major structural damage or water-warped panels
• A style or shape that’s actually in demand, not just cheap

Refinishing furniture is equal parts patience and problem-solving — every piece has its own quirks. But there’s nothing quite like standing back after the last coat of finish dries and seeing something people were ready to throw away look brand new.