Here are some items I have refinished. Click on the pictures to enlarge.


Bose 901 series III.
First I pulled all the drivers out. Then sanded (using a hand block) the whole thing with some 220 grit paper. Next, sanded the whole thing with some 400 grit paper. Finally sanded the whole thing with some 1000 grit paper. You ask why, well I'll tell you. The 200 does all the cutting to remove the original finish and get past any scrapes or dings. The 400 smoothes the wood to a nice finish and the 1000 puts a hard sheen on the wood. Then it's several light coats of DEFT semi-gloss in a spray can. It is sanded with some fine #0 steel wool between coats and even after the last coat. The last thing was to buff it with some synthetic ulta-fine #0000 steel wool. Like the the green scotch bright but lots softer (it's white). You can skip the last sanding or buffing, if you don't want the matte finish.
See the complete rebuild here: Bose 901 Rebuild

 

Polk SDA-1B
These were done like the 901's but I added a step after the last sanding. These have been stained with Red Mahogany. I wiped off the excess stain and let them sit overnight. I came back and sprayed them with the semi-gloss Deft.

 

Marantz cabinet
Again hand sanded to remove the original finish.( TIP: when sanding to remove the original varnish, change paper often or clean it with a small brass wire brush) The final coat of Deft is not sanded on this unit. This is the look of the semi-gloss Deft in its natural state.

 

Custom DIY corner cabinets
The picture on the left is of some raw Brazilian Rosewood veneer. The picture on the right is on the cabinets, sanded and sprayed with several coats of Deft semi-gloss. These were not sanded (no paper, no steel wool, no white scotchbright) after the last coat of Deft.

 

JBL L26 OAK cabinets
Again hand sanded to remove the original finish.( TIP: when sanding to remove the original varnish, change paper often or clean it with a small brass wire brush) The final coat of Deft is not sanded on this unit. This is the look of the semi-gloss Deft in its natural state.

 

Dynaco A-25 (1969 Scanspeak version-vent above the tweeter)
This one was simple. Sand off the old finish with some 220 grit. It was so old and dry that it came off easy. Finish sand with some 400. Apply two coats of Deft semi-gloss. Then recover the grill with some stuff I had laying around. Piece of cake.

 

  

Audio Note cabinets
On the left, I started with hand sanding to remove the original finish that was too thick and uneven. By the time I got to the second cabinet I removed the original finish with some Formby's furniture refinisher first and then hand sanded the cabinets. On the rght, a few coats of semi-gloss DEFT.

 

Deft Wood Finish
The picture shows a can of gloss, but I use the semi-gloss version. It is also available in a satin finish.
Play with a scrap piece of wood and you can determine what final finish you like. I've done many different finishes using just the Deft:

Each of these will give you a little different sheen on the final product.

TIP: Deft works best when applied in a warmer environment (80F+). Now this is not always possible, so spray light and let sit overnight. If you get "orange peel" you can sand it with some 600 or 1000 before spraying the final coat. When sprayed in 80F+, it will dry in about 15-20 minutes.

Final note: short of sanding through the veneer, there isn't anything here that can't be undone. You can always resand and start over if you mess up. NUMBER 1 RULE - PATIENCE ! take your time and you will get a better end result.

 

ALTERNATIVE METHOD

If you have a nice piece and don't want to sand it. In a metal container, mix equal parts Toulene, Acetone and Methynol. ( Commercial product like this is called Formby's® Conditioning Furniture Refinisher ) Pour some of this mixture into a small steel or glass bowl. Dip some fine steel wool in and apply to the wood. This will break down and remove any paint, varnish, or shellac without removing the aged patina of the wood. I use this on antique furniture. You can wipe the surface down with a rag and some of the same mixture to clean up the entire surface. Let dry, apply what ever finish you want, none at all and just use your favorite oil.