As far as furniture refinishing goes, I would say almost half of my clients request stain over paint. Of those clients, they mostly want to “get rid of the orange color” and opt for a different stain choice. In order to accomplish that for these end tables, I stripped and stained them using a mix of two General Finishes colors, Onyx and Walnut. The stain was sealed with High Performance Top Coat for durability.
"The tops were sanded and freshly stained in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain, followed by their High Performance Topcoat. For the body I had to start by removing as much of the old paint as possible after that was done I painted them in GF’s Lamp Black. The tables got new new antique bronze knobs to complete there fabulous new look." - Ray's Refurbishing
How precious is this vintage chest now? Before pics at end of post. She is a family keepsake, belonging to my clients’ mother. I restored her father’s barrister bookcases and she wanted a piece from her mom restored as well. She came to me a bit beat up and broken but look at her now! Stripped and sanded down to beautiful wood which I stained in General Finishes Antique Oak. I love the neutral, aesthetic tone of this stain! The walnut legs were a sweet surprise and I left them natural with...
I used General Finishes finishes on this beauty. Painted in a wash of lamp black milk paint followed by high performance top coat in gloss and a final coat in dead flat. I can't speak highly enough of General finish projects.
"I am in awe of the wood grain and the character of this piece! I stripped and sanded to bare wood, applied a light paint wash and sealed with High Performance Top Coat by General Finishes. The intricate wood details, the refreshed hardware, the new casters, and all the curves and edges all work together to deliver a true treasure from the early 1900’s."
It took a lot of sanding to get down to this natural oak look! Then we added a durable General Finishes High Performance topcoat for protection and custom thick solid steel legs
Restoration project
Starting with broken drawers and a top that was damaged badly .Our client dropped this off and gave us an idea …. Something with ( COFFEE BAR )
We removed this unique quarter sawn tiger oak veneer and found a beautiful substrate underneath of old worn oak . This lovely antique piece is now a coffee bar with new life !
General Finishes Colonial Maple Gel Stain and High Performance Topcoat
This sweet vanity got a sophisticated makeover in General Finishes Lamp Black then finished with High Performance Flat.
This solid oak cabinet has been striped of its old honey oak stain and left with a natural look with a light white wash for this beautiful white oak finish. Sealed for durability in satin followed by General Finishes Dead Flat High Performance Topcoat to complete this natural finish.
"This piece is a solid wood piece. The top, drawers and legs were all sanded and stained in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain. The remaining area was painted in GF’s Lamp Black. The entire piece was coated in GF High Performance Topcoat." - Ray's Refurbishing
Refinished with General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain and flat High Performance
"The before and after.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m in love with this one!! It’s solid wood. A mid century classic. Nine dovetail drawers. It’s clean and classic and so stylish!!
I used my favorite on this one (again)!!! Lamp black by General Finishes. That top in a faux wood grain done using a special tool and the Lamp Black paint over Antique Walnut Gel Stain. Completely sealed in a flat High Performance Topcoat. All new drawer liners. All new Hardware. All new trim work and new casters. Isn...
"United Furniture Solid Mahogany 5 Drawer Chest. Structurally perfect but a cosmetic mess. Its dings, dents and scratches were all addressed. This piece is solid mahogany. NO VENEERS. Newly finished in General Finishes timeless Lamp Black Milk Paint with GF High Performance flat sealer. The original mid century hardware was amazing and has been given a fresh hand patina aged brass finish." - Raised Expectations
"This solid oak sideboard has been completely renewed! The top and long legs have been stained a natural white oak that show off the beautiful grain. The front, sides and back have been painted in General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint with new hardware in champagne bronze. Completely sealed with GF High Performance Topcoat for durability in satin." - Nap Time Furniture Creations
The tops are made from butternut and the rest is cherry, finished with GF High Performance Topcoat.
A lovely pair of vintage (possibly antique) tables. They’re made of mahogany.
I got these tables at different times from different people and they are absolutely identical.
The tables were given a makeover using...
"Well this one turned out amazing as now it’s a one of a kind piece looking for a new home. This nearly 100 year old dresser was a project that needed a complete rebuild so we changed it up a bit and decided to repurpose all the drawers to build the bottom portion of the cabinet. For finish it came down to all General Finishes products. Custom mixed water based stains using Whitewash, Brown Mahogany & Walnut. Finished with 3 sprayed coats of GF High Performance poly for durability." -...
"Solid wood 5 drawer Bassett brand chest of drawers. Freshly updated and revived this beautiful piece is ready for a new home.The top was sanded and freshly stained in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain followed by their High Performance Topcoat. For the body I used General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint. I left the hardware original to the piece." - Ray's Refurbishing
Paint: Dark Horse by Mélange Artisan Mineral Paints
Stain: General Finishes Brown Mahogany and Antique Walnut Gel Stains
Topcoat: General Finishes HPTC (High Performance Topcoat) in flat
"Vintage solid pine sideboard/ buffet. This beauty has been completely renewed to its natural wood finish. It has been sealed for durability and finished with General Finishes Dead Flat High Performance Topcoat to further enhance the finish. New furniture feet complement the updated matte black hardware for an added modern look!" - Nap Time Furniture Creations
Thanks to brand new patented polymer technology, GF has created a ultra matte sheen without waxes and matting agents that...
"This lovely little piece was in great shape when I got it. But of course it needed to be given a fresh new life. I decided to paint the shell in the always gorgeous and sleek GF Lamp Black. I also distressed the edges to show off some of the gorgeous natural wood underneath. For the top and drawers I sanded and stained in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain followed by their High Performance Topcoat." - Ray's Refurbishing
Custom Console with Marble Doors
A stunning piece for the entry or as a media piece (access ports in back)
Fully finished in...
Bigfoot Fun! Made from pine and poplar woods, stained with General Finishes Brown Mahogany, and protected with our most favorite product - General Finishes High Performance Satin Topcoat! Michigan made from start to finish!" - Knots & Grains Woodworking
"Vintage Regency 9 Drawer Buffet/Media/Chest
This piece came in structurally perfect but a cosmetic mess. Originally finished in "dirty yellow" with chips, nicks and dents. At 74" long it needed height to give it the presence it deserved. 4 corner mount legs were added. An additional 2 legs were bolted through the center to fully support its length and weight. Finished in timeless General Finishes Antique White. Sealed in General Finishes High Performance flat Topcoat." - Raised Expectations...
"Beautiful pair of vintage, Duncan Phyfe style nightstands. These were made by cutting apart a vanity. Updated using General Finishes Milk Paint in Lamp Black. They were sealed with General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in Flat. The original Hepplewhite style pulls were left as is." - Garage 9 v2
Large buffet made by Mount Airy Furniture Company of North Carolina. This high end piece is made of solid mahogany. The drawers slide perfectly. The doors open onto a large space that runs the width of the buffet. (No shelves) The drawers are dovetailed and the drawer boxes are all wood. It is a very well made piece of furniture.
The finish was updated using...
"Sanded and stained the top in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain which also meant it would need a coat of High Performance Topcoat for protection and durability. For the body she chose GFs never fails to be stunning Lamp Black. I followed that up with a light waxing and buffing. The hardware is original to the piece." - Ray's Refurbishing
A lovely pair of nightstands by American of Martinsville. This set likely dates to the 80’s (scary that that’s vintage now, isn’t it?!?). They are fairly large and very sturdy, with an open shelf area and a single drawer that has dovetail joinery at the backs. They are a mix of wood and engineered materials.
This pair was given a refresh using...
"This pine tall dresser has been sanded back and refinished in a walnut stain and sealed and protected with a hard wearing topcoat, new brass handles have been added, my first time trying General Finish products, love how they turned out !" - W.Holme Design
General Finishes Walnut Water Based Stain and High Performance Topcoat Flat.
70’s vintage, solid pine buffet. This sturdy piece has 3 dovetailed drawers and 3 doors which open to a large open space (no dividers or shelves) Everything works as it should.
The buffet was updated from a dated finish using...
"Removing the previous orange stain finish on these end tables and lightening up with a custom stain mix in a gray tan color really help to give this set an updated look. I removed the old wood knobs and swapped them out for something more modern and then sealing both pieces in General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in flat for durability." - Flipping Unbelievable
"I found this Vintage Stanley on the curb a few weeks back. It was painted and in horrible need of a makeover!!! We stripped till our fingertips were numb. We cleaned and sanded and stained and finished…. We painted curves and polished brass. We went thru this piece and transformed as MUCH as possible from her old forgotten life into this spectacular piece of ART!!!!! Tricorn Black on details, body stained in Roanoke with General Finishes High Performance top coat in satin.
Drawers left...
Circa 1885 this solid oak buffet was manufactured by Olbrich & Golbeck in Chicago. 138 years has passed since it's inception and it has stood that test of time effortless with quality craftsmanship. It features three drawers including one velvet lined silverware drawer and two doors concealing open storage. The light oak stain is complimented by William Morris Strawberry Thief liners and the original brass hardware. All interior components have been cleaned and oiled for excellent...
"This piece is solid wood and is in excellent condition. It was refreshed by painting the base with General Finishes Milk Paint in Lamp Black. The top was given a wood-look finish using General Finishes Gel Stain in Antique Walnut. It was sealed with their High Performance Top Coat in Flat." - Garage 9 v2
"Stained it with General Finishes Antique Oak Water Based Wood Stain. The hardware was boiled in vinegar and water to remove the junk and get it back to its original beauty. The paint was stripped off the legs and they were stained too. Everything was sealed with General Finishes High Performance Topcoat." - Amanda Jones Furniture
"I’m glad my client saw potential in this table, because the end result is even better than I thought! It belongs to her husband’s family, and she had the table refinished as a gift to her husband for his birthday. It was a lot of prep work - glueing veneer, patching veneer, stripping the entire piece and removing the old lamp. Then I give it a very light paint wash to blend the different woods and veneers before sealing with General Finishes High Performance Top Coat. It’s not completely...
"Lovely, vintage 7-drawer dresser refreshed using General Finishes Milk Paint in Basil. The top was sanded bare and stained with General Finishes water based stain in Antique Oak, then sealed with their High Performance Top Coat in Flat. The beautiful, original antique brass hardware was left as is." - Garage 9 v2
"This one is for those mid century modern lovers and collectors out there! This classic, restored, cane front highboy was designed by famed creator Merton Gershun specifically for American of Martinsville. It came to our shop in perfect structural shape, it just needed a complete cosmetic refinishing. We started by stripping off the original finishing and sanding down everything very fine to show off that 1960s walnut veneer.
The veneer was stained using a custom mixture of General Finishes...
Vintage Broyhill sofa/hall table. This sturdy piece is in great condition. It is constructed from mostly oak and some engineered materials. It likely dates to the 80’s.
We “farmhoused” it up with...
"The ash dining table top is in its final home. I really like how the black steel base complements the natural ash look. And the breadboard ends really make it a true dining table. The ash came from...
SCM8MS (Multiscale)
- @tobiascaspar Hybrid Buckeye Burl top w/ real hornets nest
- Spanish Cedar body core w/ Purpleheart accent
- Wenge / Purpleheart / Maple neck
- Wenge...
"When my in-laws bought a cabin this table was left there. It’s super unique and very functional, so they kept it but wanted it a little more updated. I refinished this in General Finishes Perfect Gray, it’s a warm gray color and able to go with any decor. I finished with High Performance Top Coat in Flat for durability. Everything was sprayed using my Fuji Spray sprayer for a smooth and flawless finish." - Flipping Unbelievable
"You never know what you’ll find hidden under a failing finish! This MCM side table was in desperate need of some attention. Some sanding and our trusty General Finishes High Performance Topcoat (in Flat) later and she’s beautiful. Look at that woodgrain shine!" - Furniture Rescue Fairfax
"This vintage Beauty came to me in need of some love, TLC and elbow grease.
I sanded down the drawers and gave them a fresh coat of General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain along with a coat of High Performance Topcoat. The top was laminate so I had no option but to paint so I primed and then painted the shell/frame in General Finishes *Alabaster. The peg legs were also sanded and freshly stained in the same antique walnut stain." - Ray's Refurbishing
I have to admit I’m more accustomed to black or blue but I’m in love with this green and now I see why so many of you love these green tones. Check out my reel to see the before of this orange oak buffet. I’m so happy with the result and I’m loving the new door fronts and more modern base. This buffet has ample storage inside and would work great as a side table, console or coffee bar as well.
Paint: General Finishes Basil mixed with Lamp Black
Top Coat: General Finishes dead flat...
General Finishes Water Based Black Stain and High Performance Topcoat in NEW Dead Flat
"From his original pickled finish, to black lacquered spray paint…. And now back to bare bones glory! We’ve got beautiful fresh grain patterning, a sweet complimentary shade difference in the middle (totally it’s natural tones) and we not only added some contrasting black hardware and feet, but also some subtle black pinstripes down the sides of the drawers to tie it all together!!!
Finished au-natural in bare naked grains with three luxurious coats of General Finishes High Performance...
"When I saw this charming 1920s dresser, I couldn't wait to transform it into something special. In order to keep the "raw" look I tried out a new topcoat from...
Circa 1920's fully restored/refinished sideboard
Solid antique oak. This heirloom quality antique sideboard had undesirable orange undertones in its finish and a water damaged top.
Now fully restored using toning, color wash and glazing layers by...
"I love combining natural wood tones with dark and sultry colours. By combining these colours, this doubled hooded secretary evokes a warm, but moody and seductive charm, the keeper of secrets. General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint and Dead Flat topcoat." - Paint and Hammer
