Restoring painted desk to original woodfrom @kylewilliamdesign

Transcript

This gorgeous antique desk was caked in black paint and falling apart. It's around a 100 years old and deserves so much better. I started by stripping off the paint. For the flat surfaces, I was able to simply scrape it off, but for the details, I had to use a brass wire brush, which is softer and less likely to scratch the wood. This piece was so detailed, I really had to work to get the paint off. After stripping, I washed the piece with mineral spirits, revealing the beautiful mahogany, and then gave it a quick sanding. My detail sander was a lifesaver in the tight corners, and I hand sanded all the carved parts. Then, I repaired and filled in all the damage. The desk was made of different woods, so I stained the body of the desk first. I used an amber tinted shellac on the mahogany drawers, which brought out the grain so beautifully. Then, I applied it to the rest of the desk to create a uniform look. The handles were painted to look like metal, but after a quick vinegar bath and some steel wool, I realized they were already gorgeous solid brass. Finally, I put it all back better, taking it from this to this. It's always so satisfying uncovering stunning wood and details under layers of paint. I'm so proud of it, but let me know how you think it turned out.