When I first started this project, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I came across this beautiful mahogany piece, but its condition made me a little hesitant. However, the solid wood was too stunning to pass up, so I decided to give it new life with a refreshed look.
"Kling Mahogany Dresser Prior to Refurbishing"
The wood had some blotchy red spots, so I chose to paint the frame black to highlight the rich mahogany tones. Even though I was nervous about covering the wood, it turned out to be the right choice. The black paint gave the piece a fresh, updated style while allowing the wood’s beauty to stand out on the top and drawers.
I began by removing the drawers and hardware. Tip: Keep all your hardware in a labeled zip lock bag to avoid losing any small parts. I then cleaned the entire piece with Krud Kutter, which is great for getting off years of grime. I was eager to start sanding.
It looked like someone had tried refinishing this piece before but never finished the job. Lucky me! I grabbed my Dewalt Orbital Sander and started on the drawers, using 80-grit sandpaper and working my way up. For the detailed areas of the piece, I had to use a hand sander because of all the curved work, but it worked like a charm for those tight spots. After sanding, the piece had a lot of uneven reddish tint that eventually lead to my decision to paint.
"The piece before and during sanding—years of wear and unfinished refinishing attempts left it looking rough."
There was also gray spray paint on the bottom of the piece, which was unexpected. I used mineral spirits to loosen the paint, then sanded it lightly to clean it up. This took a bit more time, but it was worth the effort. Also, I had to remove the leg because it was a little loose. I used some wood glue and screwed it on tight and it was as good as new.
"The bottom of the piece showing gray spray paint, and side view showing reddish tint."
Once the piece was prepped, I moved on to painting the frame. I chose Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black. It’s a paint I’d heard great things about, and it didn’t disappoint. With my Zibra paintbrush, I applied two coats—one light and one full coat. The paint went on smoothly and didn’t require a primer, which saved me time. The matte black finish looked amazing and gave the piece a modern touch. Even the back of the piece got a fresh coat of paint to keep things consistent.
Next, I wanted to bring out the natural beauty of the wood on the top and drawers, so I decided to try Odie’s Oil. I’d heard great things about it and wasn’t disappointed. I applied the oil to the drawers (inside and out) and the top of the piece, buffing it to a soft, natural shine. The oil gave the wood a warm, glowing finish that really made the mahogany stand out. I applied two coats to ensure the wood was protected and had a rich luster. By the way, it had a nice pleasant smell as well.
"Odie’s Oil enhanced the natural beauty of the mahogany wood with a soft, protective finish."
For the finishing touches, I decided to keep the original hardware. It had a cool design that kept the piece’s original character intact. I polished the hardware using Brasso and steel wool, which brought back its shine. To add a little extra flair, I lined the drawers with a floral-patterned contact paper. One of the drawers was sticking, so I applied some wood lubricant to fix that.
To protect the painted surfaces, I sprayed two coats of Minwax Polycrylic spray on the frame. I used a cardboard shield to avoid getting any on the wood top, and the finish came out smooth and durable.
"Floral drawer liners and polished original hardware added a fresh touch to the inside."
Once everything was complete, I staged the piece for photos using Photoroom to create a virtual room setting. I listed the finished piece on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. Initially, I priced it at $700, but after some research, I lowered it to $500, and it sold quickly! When the buyer arrived, she was thrilled with how it turned out. Hearing her say it was “perfect” made all the hard work worth it.
"The final piece, staged and ready for its new home."
Looking back, this project was a fun learning experience. It allowed me to try new products and methods while giving an old piece of furniture a fresh, updated look. If you're just starting with furniture flipping, don’t be afraid to dive in. Each project is a chance to learn something new, and with patience and the right materials, you can bring any piece back to life.
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