Refurbished vintage Rimu drawers and dresser

Ailie

🖼️

The project:

I took this tired, scratched, water-damaged set and refurbished them to look brand new. I cleaned them off, stripped the finish, sanded back the damage, and applied varnish.

- Materials:

Orbital Sanding Disc Set - https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-30-piece-125mm-orbital-sanding-disc-set_p0988011

Sandpaper roll -

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/flexovit-timber-sandpaper-roll-115mm-x-5m-120-grit_p1210470

Kwik Strip

Wood filler - https://www.bunnings.co.nz/timbermate-250g-rimu-wood-filler_p1563609?store=9476&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21878343039&gbraid=0AAAAADL7rPoXAd_9cuB9oRPX7Nk1d-bbU&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85hY9fdvQIarK9PUNOPCf0D90I6l6bhdTkvTINHr7y84WDW46hOOKyRoClq8QAvD_BwE

Polyurethane - https://www.bunnings.co.nz/cabot-s-500ml-satin-oil-based-cabothane-clear-timber-varnish_p1522083?store=9476&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21878343039&gbraid=0AAAAADL7rPoXAd_9cuB9oRPX7Nk1d-bbU&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85hxPYpwD3ZsJXvCsbT-ScqC-CAOppYgSl1J16WOt25pecE6NKjOMkBoCM3EQAvD_BwE

- Tools:

Random orbital sander

Plastic scrapers

Paint brushes

Screwdriver

- Step 1:

I began the project by removing the handles and cleaning every inch of both pieces with warm soapy water.

- Step 2:

I applied multiple coats of the paint stripper to remove the peeling, yellowed finish. I scraped the stripper off using plastic scrapers and cleaned off any remaining chemicals with a cloth and warm, soapy water.

- Step 3:

Once dry, I went in with my random orbital sander. I started with 80 grit on some particularly stubborn scratches, before moving up to 120 grit, then 180 and finishing with 240. This took hours, but the result was a buttery smooth finish.

- Step 4:

Halfway through the sanding process, I found some stubborn grooves that weren’t just going to sand away. I used wood filler on those places, applying with my hands and scraping flat with a metal scrapers

- Step 5:

I vacuumed all the sawdust off and used a microfibre to ensure there wasn’t anything left on the pieces. Then, I applied the polyurethane. I did two coats of this.

- Step 6:

I finally used a brown paper bag to “sand” the pieces once the polyurethane finish. This left the wood feeling so smooth to the touch.

- Step 7:

I cleaned the handles with warm soapy water before reattaching them. And just like that, the project was done!

EricL

Hello @Ailie

Thank you so much for sharing your vintage Rimu drawers and dresser restoration project. The cabinets look fantastic and the finish looks wonderful. All that prep work definitely paid off and the use of the brown paper bag as a finishing step to the surface has really given it a smooth buttery finish.

Again, thank you for sharing this excellent restoration project.

Eric