Broyhill Brasilia Dresser finished!!!!!....well almost

It's finished!...well as long as I can stand to leave the top like I did. I am still not very good at getting the tops of these furniture pieces smooth like I want them. They turn out streaky or bubbly or like a 2nd grader was given a paint brush. I posted on a woodworking forum to see if I get some suggestion from those more expert than me. Then I will beg Russel to help me move it back into the garage to work on it more. 

I am happy to see the original wood shine through and see it every day in the bedroom. 
 

 

Broyhill Brasilia Dresser Beautiful wood revealed with stain

I was so excited to work on this yesterday after work. I did 1 coat of Minwax pre-stain conditioner and then two (and a half) coats of Cabot Dark Walnut stain. I say half a coat of stain only because the second coat began drying faster than I could wipe it off and some parts were sticky so I added more stain and quickly wiped off. I am sure this is a rookie mistake just like my swirly marks from the orbital sander. 

The top of the dresser is so long I really should have had help. Plus, it was only about 101 degrees outside when I was doing this in the garage so I had the fan blowing on me so I didn't pass out. There was just no way I could have survived with turning the fan off.

I was super dooper happy to see that there were no swirly marks and the beautiful wood showed through. I am sure I am on a ultra thin piece of veneer after sanding but it turned out ok. I am pretty sure that the grain of the wood wasn't as absorbant as it would have been without the heavy sanding but I think in the end it turned out nicely.

I hope to put on at least 1 coat of wipe on Polyurethane. I have found that this method looks truest to the original and doesn't turn out over glossy like the Broyhill Brasilia Commode I refinished first. Even though it same Minwax Poly I brushed it on and it was not thinned out. When I use the wipe on method I have far far less bubbles and it dries much faster so I can do more coats. 

After the poly the only thing I have to do is drill bigger holes for the drawer pulls and then it will be ready to go!!!! YAY!

Broyhill Brasilia Dresser - Sanding and Sanding and Sanding

I think I finally got it sanded down enough that the swirlies won't show when I pre-condition and stain. It took about 3 hours of non-stop hand sanding with 220 grit sand paper. I felt fabulous when I finished. I thought I would be worn out and tired but I was surprised that I felt more accomplished than run down.  I took my time and tried not to sand straight through the veneer. The second photo shows some splotches which are just wet fingerprints. Ooops. I can't wait to see the stain on it.

 I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Then I will have to find another project to get started on. Maybe I will luck out and find more Broyhill Brasilia pieces. Russel doesn't mind so I will keep looking until I find some. The first piece I'd love to have is a headboard and footboard for a queen bed. One day I hope to own the lingerie dresser and the china cabinet. Let me know if you run into something that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and my precious Bella for trade.

When you mess up your Broyhill Brasilia Dresser.....

I've encountered a small setback in my furniture refinishing project. The very beautiful wood on the top of the dresser looks so stunning when it was bare wood. I started pre-staining and then put one coat of stain on the top and then I was almost in tears as I watched it dry. The orbital sander I used to sand the paint off left squiggly marks all in the wood. I was so careful to change sanding pads often so that this would not happen and I couldn't see the marks until I stained it. 

So, I have some choices. I can try to keep sanding it down until some of the squiggles are removed but I run the risk of sanding completely through the veneer. I could replace the veneer all together but I am imagining the cost of the veneer would be significant and I have never replaced veneer before. I could end up really messing up my dresser and having to send it off for a professional restoration and then I will have to hang my head in shame and admit I got in over my head. 
 
Although you have to look at the wood from the top or at an angle to see it, I know its there and it will bother me. 

I think I will try sanding it down a bit more and then staining it and putting the poly coat on and living with the damage I created.

It's truly heartbreaking.