How To Clean Rusty Hardware

One of the first things I do when preparing to refinish a new piece is to remove the existing hardware. I usually replace the hinges, knobs and pulls, but I always have the choice of keeping the original hardware to retain an antique look and feel. I don't want it looking rusted and dirty, though, …

How I Painted My Melamine Cabinets

I used to have bright white melamine cabinets. Pretty, but boring! I needed to add some color to make it more inviting, so I decided to paint them a nice Chicago Gray. A soft, cool gray with a slight blue hue to it. But you can't paint over melamine, right? Well, here's how I did …

Topcoats: When and Why to Use Them

When refinishing furniture, there are at least a few options when it comes to sealing your work. You want a durable finish, especially for high-traffic pieces like tabletops. I'll go through the most common types of topcoats and when and why to use them.  Polyurethane Polyurethane is my go-to for most tabletops. It cures to …