“Call me crazy, but I just had to bring this home,” says furniture refinisher Grace Holbrook. She picked up a 100-year-old dresser with a worn orange stain for just $40, and shared the steps to transform the tired-looking gem into a blonde charmer on the One Touch Grace Instagram page.
Since most refinishing-a dresser involves adding paint or dark stains before going online, Holbrook’s approach to lightening wood is a standout that we want to share with other decorators. And she doesn’t shy away from detailing the exact procedure of steps and techniques that achieve the final look. She says: “I don’t want people to be afraid to try something new or scary!”
Here’s a look at how she achieved this lighter look and her pro tips for pulling off both a dark finish and a tough coat with sticky undertones.
“I’m going to give you my biggest tip and use a heat tool when you remove the veneer,” says Holbrook. “I used to swear by using a wet towel and iron to do the job, but this just works so much better. It’s faster and less messy.”
He also noticed that after soaking in water and he put iron on wooden furniture, the surface was prone to warping. “Instead, by using a heat tool I’m able to immediately reheat the invisible adhesive and use a scraper to apply it. The heat tool may have a risk of burning the piece, but it’s not nearly as much of a risk as having water sitting on a piece for hours.”
Dip the furniture legs in acetone to remove the finish
If you’ve ever tried to finish furniture with bone feet, you know how frustrating and laborious it can be. Now that I’ve learned how Holbrook finishes, I’ll never try another method again. “Acetone is your new best friend,” Holbrook says.
For stubborn areas on furniture and detailed areas that are not appreciated, apply an acetone solution and then reach for a wire brush to remove the finish and adhesive. Holbrook says this method also works to dissolve any stains and paint from wood furniture, so it’s “a breeze to sand off.” If you’ve ever stood with a sander for hours, you can appreciate that any technique that makes sanding easier is a tip that goes away forever.
Bleach wood for a light finish
After the wooden furniture has been cleaned of old finish and hidden residue, sanded, and cleaned of any dust, the surface is ready to be primed.
Light wood: Wear bleach
Common chlorine-based laundry bleach can remove stains, but it likely won’t permanently affect the wood’s natural color. “You’ll see a light appearance after using clothing bleach when you apply water or a protective top coat,” says Holbrook. “Just keep in mind, chlorine products can compromise wood strength and weather your wood. Because of this, I would only apply 1 or 2 rounds.”
Prepare the wooden furniture and bleach solution.
- Keep your project in a well-ventilated area.
- Prepare the furniture by cleaning, sanding and wiping it with microfiber cloths.
- Mix the bleach solution: 1 part bleach, 2 parts water.
Use the best applicator.
“Usually I like to use a foam roller on large surfaces to ensure coverage of the bleach,” says Holbrook. “However, you can also spray on the mixture or wipe it on.” The key is to completely cover the wood with whatever compound you choose.
Neutralize the wood between treatments.
“It’s important to neutralize the wood between treatments,” Holbrook says. “Neglecting to neutralize can leave behind long-lasting bleach to chemically react with any stain or product you use next.”
- Mix a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water.
- Soak a rag in the solution and, working quickly, wipe down the entire bleached area.
- Then repeat step 2 with just water.
- Allow the entire project to dry before applying stain or sealer.
Post bleach steps to activate the solution.
“Once a full layer of bleach is applied, let the piece dry in direct sunlight,” says Holbrook. “If applying the compound when it’s not sunny outside, use a heat tool to activate and dry the piece.” It takes about 15 minutes of heating to whiten the wood, and the lighting process can be repeated to achieve lighter wood.
“After you’ve bleached, neutralized, and dried your wood, the grain may be raised and rough to the touch. Then, finish it with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish,” she suggests.
More ways to lighten wood
There are a few different bleaching methods that Holbrook shared with us, but they all require the key steps of preparing the wood, working in a well-ventilated area, and activating the bleach solution after the light has set.
Light wood: Oxalic acid powder
If your wooden furniture is gray from weathering or has rust or water stains, oxalic acid removes them. “Many rehabilitators consider oxalic acid to be highly toxic, because the crystalline form it usually comes in can be inhaled and cause bleeding from the lungs,” says Holbrook. So protect your skin and work in a well-ventilated area, or consider another method.
Light Wood: A/B Bleach
“Many people recommend using A/B bleach for safer methods and maximum bleaching power,” says Holbrook. “Two-part A/B peroxide-based bleaches contain sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide that create a chemical reaction that lightens the wood.”
Add a custom wallpaper liner
There’s something special about opening a dresser and finding charming linings that are custom cut to fit the drawers. It’s these special touches that go a long way in creating a charming furniture makeover. While you can spend as much as you want, you can use wallpaper samples or inexpensive peel-and-stick versions to save money. Says Holbrook: “I’m cheap, not like cheap cheap bra, but I don’t like to spend a lot of money, so this liner is only like $7.”
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