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So I spent a week refinishing a 'solid oak' dresser that turned out to be mostly particle board and paint.

A client brought it in, said it was a family heirloom. I quoted for a full strip and stain. The second I started sanding, the 'grain' just wiped off. It was one of those printed-on finishes. Underneath was the flakiest particle board I've ever seen. Had to call the client and explain their antique was basically fancy cardboard. We ended up doing a painted finish instead. Has anyone else had a piece totally lie to you about what it's made of? How did you save it?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica9211d ago

Painted mine too. Saved it from the trash.

williamw751d ago

Totally feel your pain. I had a "solid wood" headboard that was hollow inside with cardboard honeycomb. The worst. I saved it by cutting out the bad sections and grafting in real pine blocks, then using wood filler to blend it all. It was more carpentry than refinishing. The painted finish was smart, sometimes you just have to change the plan completely.

lewis.brian1d ago

Cardboard honeycomb inside a "solid wood" piece is just wild. That's some next level corner cutting from the manufacturer. Honestly, grafting in real wood blocks sounds like a rescue mission, not a simple fix. Makes painting it seem like the only sane choice after all that work.