Today, we will be diving into the step-by-step process of how to refinish wood furniture, especially a beloved family heirloom like this vintage secretary desk. Far from just a simple paint job, when refinishing furniture we’re going the extra mile to return this gem to its original wood form, a style forecasted to be all the rage in 2023.

Grab your sandpaper and gel stains; we’re about to release the hidden beauty of this classic piece and turn it into a beautiful updated piece that can be loved for years to come!

antique secretary desk before refinishing

Table of Contents

Let’s Get Started!

If the thought of giving a second life to an old, dusty piece of furniture stirs your heart, then you are in the right place. We believe that every piece of furniture, especially family heirlooms like the vintage secretary desk we’re about to restore, tells a story.

Click here for the stain removal guide and checklist

They’re more than just everyday objects; they’re records of our past, reflections of our memories. And the beauty of restoring them? You get to add your own chapter to their story.

In this post, we’re joined by Kristen at The Broken Masterpiece, sharing her beautiful secretary desk makeover. You’ll be inspired by this transformation for sure!

And by the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with all the tips and tricks to embark on your own restoration journey. So let’s roll up our sleeves, and together, we’ll breathe new life into old wood!

Supplies for Refinishing Wood Furniture

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Goof Off Spray
Steel Wool
DeWalt Sander
Surf Prep Sander ( I use the 3×4 one) (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order)
80 to 100 Grit Sandpaper
120 to 150 Grit Sandpaper
180 Grit Sandpaper
Sanding Contour Pads
RZ Mask
Mineral Spirits
Zibra Brush
Lilly Moon Gel Stains in Natural Cork and Wooden Barrel
Water Based Poly
Wagner Beginner Sprayer
Rust Oleum’s Gold Metallic Spray
Gold Drop Pulls

Removing Wood Stain

The subject of today’s restoration is an enchanting family heirloom – a vintage secretary, brought to me by my lovely client. However, instead of a paint job, our goal is to refinish the piece back to its beautiful wood form – a trend we predict will gain immense popularity in 2023.

The first step in the restoration process is to remove all the handles and clean the entire piece. I used Goof off and steel wool to remove any debris and gunk that had accumulated over the years.

Here’s our blog post about how to clean furniture before painting to learn more about the detailed steps of cleaning furniture.

Once the piece is dry, it’s time to start sanding! I used a DeWalt Sander for the bulk of the sanding and a SurfPrep Sander for the finer details and the veneer. If there isn’t a lot of varnish on the wood, you can simply start sanding with 100 grit sandpaper.

Check out the best sanders for furniture to help you make an informed decision and pick one that best suits your needs.

However, if there is a significant amount of varnish, it’s best to use a chemical stripper to remove it before sanding. I also removed the fretwork in the front to give it a more modern feel.

“Tip: Always remember to keep all your hardware in safe storage so that you don’t lose them. For vintage pieces like this, hunting for replacement hardware could be a real nightmare”
-The Broken Masterpiece

Secretary Desk Makeover

To ensure that every part of the piece is properly sanded and finished, I had to take it apart completely. This involved removing the top, back, and all the hardware.

It’s important to keep all the hardware together to avoid losing any pieces, as it can be difficult to find vintage hardware like this.

taking apart the secretary's desk to sand everything

Sanding in Detail

After disassembling the piece, I went through multiple rounds of sanding to achieve a smooth wood finish. I started with 80 to 100 grit sandpaper, then moved on to 120 to 150 grit, and finally finished with 150 and 180 grit.

Here’s our list of the different types sandpaper for furniture painting to know advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Sanding multiple times and gradually increasing the grit helps to flatten any raised wood and create a smooth surface that will take the stain well. If you don’t want to sand, here is how to remove wood stain from furniture with a chemical stripper.

sanding the legs with a Surfprep sander and foam pads

Preparing for Gel Stain

Once the sanding was complete, I wiped down the entire piece with mineral spirits and water to remove any remaining debris and dust. This step is crucial to ensure that the surface is clean and ready to accept the stain.

Applying the Gel Stain

Before applying the gel stain, it’s important to wet the surface with water. This helps the stain to spread evenly and prevents it from drying too quickly.

I used a rag to wet the surface and then applied the gel stain using a Zibra brush. Here’s our list of the best brushes for staining wood to help you find the one that fits your needs perfectly.

I chose to mix two colors, Natural Cork and Wooden Barrel, to achieve the desired shade.

When working with gel stains, it’s best to work in sections to prevent the stain from drying out. I started with the drawers, applying the stain in the direction of the grain. For the final pull, I went across the drawer horizontally to create a unique look.

Check out this Hexagon End Table Makeover for another inspiration using Lilly Moon Gel Stain.

After a few minutes, I checked the stain to see if it was ready for the next coat. I repeated this process for the entire piece, working in sections and checking the stain as I went along.

Check out the best wood stains for refinishing furniture to explore the different type of wood stain and help you select the right one for your project.

Sealing Stained Wood

Once the stain was dry, I applied a top coat to protect the wood and give it a finished look. I used Stellar Shield, a protective top coat from Lilly Moon, but you can also use a water based polyacrylic.

Learn more about sealing painted furniture here.

I filled my sprayer with a satin poly acrylic and applied a thin coat to the entire piece. It’s important to apply thin coats to avoid drips and ensure an even finish. Here’s our list of topcoats for painting furniture to choose the right topcoat for your next project.

If you want to spray your topcoat on as well, here is how to spray polyurethane (aka waterbased polyurethane), but if you want to apply it by hand, here is how to apply polycrylic by hand.

spraying topcoat with wagner paint sprayer

Final Touches and Reassembly

After the top coat dried, I reassembled the piece, making sure to put all the hardware back in its original place. Piece-by-piece and slowly, everything that you took apart goes back. The hardware, now painted with Rust Oleum’s Gold metallic spray, fits back.

If you want more information on how to paint your hardware, visit our how to paint drawer pulls post for detailed instructions.

Finally, I staged the piece for photographs, showcasing its beauty and functionality.

Restoring an antique piece of furniture can be a labor-intensive process, but the results are well worth it. By taking the time to properly prepare the piece, sanding it thoroughly, and applying the right products, you can bring new life to an old piece of furniture.

Go Check Out The Full Step by Step Tutorial Here!! And find me on Instagram and Facebook as well in the links below!!

So, if you have an antique piece that’s been sitting in your attic or basement, waiting to be refinished, don’t hesitate to give it a new lease on life.

With the right tools, products, and techniques, you can transform it into a stunning piece that will be cherished for years to come.

closeup of the refinished desk with new gold pulls

If you enjoyed this flip, you can find Kristen on YouTube under The Broken Masterpiece. And for more behind-the-scenes content you can also join Kristen on Instagram, or Facebook!