Turn Trash Into Treasure with a Little Refinishing

Making something that is old and ugly look beautiful again is such a wonderful process. Watching someone's junk become your treasure is part hard work and part dreaming. As you work and see the results, you feel like an artist drawing on a canvass. This creation is yours and you will display it with love and affection. You may even be thinking about handing this delight down to your children who will look upon it with love too. Or you may be starting your own apartment or house on a budget. Rather than buying new and busting your budget, you can purchase old junky items and make them new again with your love and care. Whatever the reason you are refinishing furniture, you are an artist with a vision.

** Refinishing Tip ** Home refinishing can be fun and exciting but much depends on how creative and determined you can be; choices have to be made and this is where the delays happen. When you decide on refinishing the interior or exterior of your home you also have to consider the expense of completing this task. The budget does control what gets done, whether the best materials are used and even those who will do the job so it is not a subject to be rushed. When you think of the task ahead, it is often best to hire services of a contractor who is experienced in the field and thus can give you the best results considering your requirements and budget. Once you have employed a contractor you will need to decide who is responsible for the supplies that are to be used and this needs to be set before any work is started.

If you're like me, then you love searching for hidden treasures at places like thrift shops and yard sales. Often, you can find a fantastic item that may not look like much, but that can be given new life with a little refinishing!

For example, on one of my many yard sale jaunts, I found the most beautiful wooden rocking chair. Problem was, this chair looked terrible. No one wanted to buy it because it looked dirty and old. I plunked down $10 for this sad looking chair and took it home with me for a little tender loving care.

The first thing I did was sand the existing finish off of the rocking chair. It wasn't too hard, because there wasn't much of it left. Sanding is a crucial step because no wood piece is going to properly take a new paint or stain without it. I will say, it was a bit labor intensive, but worth it. I used a 120 grain sandpaper at first, then finished the piece with a 220 grain.

Following the sanding, I rinsed the entire chair off with a light spraying from the garden hose and sat it in the sun to dry thoroughly. After drying, I applied a coat of grain filler to fill in the grain and provide a smooth surface for the stain. This product is like a paste and after being worked in with a stiff brush, should be smoothed to a uniform finish.

Next, it was time to prime for stain using a sanding sealer. I made my own using a bit of stain plus paint thinner. After two coats of sanding sealer, it was time to sand once more using a 220 grain sandpaper.

** Refinishing Tip ** On bathrooms tiles... I have to say that it is in the classic black on white style that I find the most appealing and timeless. If you use these tiles around a clean white Victorian style bath tub on four feet with chrome fittings you can imagine how striking this looks. Not everyone is happy with lots of shiny things because they have to be wiped constantly owing to the fingerprints that show so readily on them. This is something particularly relevant if you have young children, so may not be the best style for you. But it is the classic white tile with small black squares which is my favorite which has a much cleaner look and is normally available without having to place a special order. Those who want to spend a little more on the bathroom tile design can opt for beautiful marble accents that pull the whole look together.

After the sealer came the best part -- the stain! I used a rich oil based oak colored stain on this rocking chair, and I must say, it came out beautifully! By finishing with an oil based polyurethane coating, the chair was given extra durability and a gleaming shine. After the chair was completely dry, the only thing left to do was add a colorful seat cushion.

Now when guests come to my house they all want to sit in my antique rocking chair! If only they could see what it looked like when I brought it home, they'd be amazed! I know I am!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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Sailboat Refinishing (International Marine Sailboat Library)

Make your boat shine again

No improvement to a tired-looking boat will have a more dramatic impact than refinishing, and few tasks are easier. Here is everything you need to achieve a fabulous finish on your fiberglass boat’s bottom, topsides, deck, spars, wood trim, and belowdeck surfaces while saving time, money, and grief.

What reviewers have said about Don Casey's boat maintenance books:

“Astonishingly clear text and illustrations. The reader can almost feel the hand-holding this book provides through each step.”--Dockside

“I own many books filled with advice, but I strongly suspect that this is the one I will consult most.”--Sailing

“Casey makes tricky points clear in hundreds of illustrations and lively prose.”--SailNet

“If you have an older sailboat, you need this book.”--The Ensign

Current Price: $8.56 | Buy Now and Save!

Sailboat Refinishing

Make your boat shine again! No improvement to a tired-looking boat will have a more dramatic impact than refinishing, and few tasks are easier. Here is everything you need to achieve a fabulous finish on your fiberglass boat's bottom, topsides, deck, spars, wood trim, and belowdeck surfaces while saving time, money, and grief. What reviewers have said about Don Casey's boat maintenance books: "Astonishingly clear text and illustrations. The reader can almost feel the hand-holding this book provides through each step."-- Dockside "I own many books filled with advice, but I strongly suspect that this is the one I will consult most."-- Sailing "Casey makes tricky points clear in hundreds of illustrations and lively prose."-- SailNet "If you have an older sailboat, you need this book."-- The Ensign

Current Price: $9.99 | Buy Now and Save!
HOMAX 5860 CAULK REFINISHING TOOL KIT 2/PC

"CAULK RITE" CAULKING TOOLS 2-piece set Caulking tool helps beginner and expert create the perfect bead every time Flexible design smoothes and evens distribution of caulk while forcing the sealant into the gap Removal tool has 3 blade design that helps remove old, dried caulk For use on showers, sinks, tubs, windows, and siding Carded

Current Price: $7.18 | Buy Now and Save!
Furniture Repair & Refinishing (Ultimate Guide)

Packed with detailed information, Furniture Repair & Refinishing takes a hands-on approach to furniture repair and restoration. Written by an authority in the field, the book teaches-through step-by-step instructions and full-color photo how sequences-everything the beginning furniture restorer needs to know to achieve professional results, whether planning a simple repair or a full restoration. All tasks are rated for difficulty and feature tools and materials lists.


Current Price: $10.85 | Buy Now and Save!
Rustoleum Tub and Tile Refinish Kit- White

Don't replace it - Refinish it! Rust-Oleum Specialty Tub & Tile Refreshing Kit acts and looks like porcelain and ceramic. Apply to ceramic, porcelain or fiberglass. Epoxy Acrylic Formula just like the professionals use. PRODUCT FEATURES: -Fast-drying -Indoor/Outdoor -Durable, corrosion-resistant Pre-treat tub with a household cleaner rather than muriatic acid.

Current Price: $19.99 | Buy Now and Save!
Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit, White

2-part epoxy coating creates a durable, hard, high-gloss finish on old porcelain and ceramic surfaces that looks and performs like new porcelain to avoid replacement. 1- to 2-hour dry time between coats, 5- to 7-day complete cure time. Contains everything needed to refinish 1 average-size tub, 2 sinks, or 80 to 150 sq.ft. of tile. Includes 1-quart epoxy coating, porcelain prep, surface cleaner, non-latex disposable gloves, stir stick, tack cloth, roller and brush, 220-grit wet/dry sandpaper, and illustrated instructions.

Current Price: $27.08 | Buy Now and Save!
Furniture Refinishing



Current Price: $2.95 | Buy Now and Save!
Black & Decker Finishing & Refinishing Wood: Techniques & Projects for Fine Wood Finishes (Black & Decker)



Current Price: $12.87 | Buy Now and Save!
Wood Repair & Refinishing Dvd! Handman Club of America



Current Price: $24.99 | Buy Now and Save!
Norton Refinishing Products (NOR43856) 6in Diameter 5/16-24 Shank Speed-Grip Sanding Disc Back-Up Pads



Current Price: $31.92 | Buy Now and Save!
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A casually elegant, contemporary steak and seafood restaurant called Finn and Porter will anchor the Fort Shelby Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel when the $82-million development opens in downtown Detroit in late December, hotel officials have announced ...

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Renovation work at Jaipur's Amber Fort, a hurdle for tourists
EUR¦ renovation work EUR¦..

Parkview's New Owners Unveil $10 Million Renovation Plan at November 14 Tenant Meeting
Charles Reyher, President of Audubon Communities Management, LLC, has unveiled the $10 million master plan for the renovation of the Parkview Apartments, one of southern New Jersey's largest rental communities EUR¦..

IMU face-lift nears finish
EUR¦ renovation project to be completed by the start of the spring semester EUR¦..

Airport plans to add 1,400 parking spots
On the heels of completing a five-year airport renovation project, officials at Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport now plan to build a $25 million parking garage at the city's EUR¦..

MSG confirms Beacon buy
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