Can you believe that I found this cabinet at a thrift store?!?! I’m amazed at all of the carving! I wanted to remove the finish so that the wood character would pop even more.
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I recently started using this “green product” finishing cleaner. It works like the oven cleaner method, except it doesn’t have all of the harsh, caustic chemicals. Just like the oven cleaner method, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I usually try to do a test spot now before I spray the whole thing down to see if it’s going to work. Usually the pieces with less sealer work the best, like vintage/antique pieces. I’m my experience so far, it works just as good as the oven cleaner. When it works, it’s a dream!
I did not dilute mine. It does say that you can dilute it. I sprayed mine on and left it on for maybe 15 minutes before scrubbing. It’s not really a product where “the longer you leave it on, the more it will take off”… leaving it on for short time is all it takes. When I sprayed mine on, I could see the sealer/color coming off as I was spraying it.
I used a scrubber to scrub it down before rinsing it. This helped it to come off better when rinsing it. I didn’t have to scrub hard, I just went over it to loosen all of the finish.
I hosed it down and it rinsed right off. I do NOT use a pressure washer, but I do have an attachment on my hose that helps with the steam of water. A pressure washer can tear up the wood, it’s not something I would ever advise on this type of project.
This trim piece goes across the top back. That is where I did my test spot. I was so amazed with how good at worked!
One more look at the “before”…
I thought for sure that this wood carved part would be difficult to remove the stain from, but it came off beautifully!!
I will eventually add some clear wax on it. This is the clear wax that I’ve found that does not change the color. I want it to stay this beautiful color, but also be protected for when we use it in our new house. The wood character shines now!
I’m still so amazed at the end result! I love it so much! I initially thought we would use it to put a sink in, in the kitchen. It’s going to be too tall unless I would take the feet off and not use the backing…I cannot get myself to take those feet off. We will find a different spot for it.
I’m loving this new green product cleaner! I will be trying it out on lots more projects! On the listing there is a “finishing cleaner” and a “furniture stripper”…the “finishing cleaner” is the product that works like the oven cleaner method.
I also receive lots of questions about whether or not the oven cleaner method, such as this, will work on certain specific pieces of yours. It’s hard to tell sometimes, that’s why I recommend doing a test spot to see. In my opinion, if it’s a piece that someone is planning on stripping anyways, it’s always worth a shot. It’s so much easier than using furniture strip.
Another question I receive is people wondering if the wood swells, or if it can ruin it to hose it down. Wood definitely swells when it gets wet. In my experience working with hosing things down, it always goes back to normal for me after it completely dries out. Do not ever leave something sitting in water. But, I’ve never had an issue with hosing a piece down and letting it completely dry out.
I’m excited to find a space for this cabinet! I couldn’t be happier with how easy this project was!
Is it just for finish and not paint? I am blown away by the luck you have thrifting. I think some of it is your eyes as well, choosing peices most of us would pass on.
Another beautiful piece… you are 1 lucky lady!!!! Thanks for the info on the new product u r using. I wasn’t so crazy about using Oven Cleaner. I have asthma so try not to use stuff like that. You are my tester for different projects..lol!! You are getting alot of lovely pieces for your new home.The best part is that you can say..no..BRAG….that u refinished them ????
Isn’t it amazing what’s underneath a finish on these pieces?. I wonder how how old this is?
You have done an amazing job and l an sure you will find just the right spot in your new home.
I can’t see a link for the cleaner? Does it have a brand name? Is it something I just pick up at the hardware or grocery store? Help me! I have a difficult detailed piece to do as well. Yours turned out amazing! Thanks!
Wow! What a find! I love it.
What a gorgeous piece of furniture! I am inspired to try this green stripper on some of my thrifted Victorian pieces. Thanks!
WOW!!! Your projects just SET ME ON FIRE! I recently moved.. had no idea how to get my house together with a lot ofanyique mismatched pieces!Seeing your blog has shown me what I wanted to do.. and didn’t know it! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!!!! Keep those ideas & projects coming’!! I truly appreciate all your ideas & instructions hot to do all your projects!!! Thanks!
Oh Wow, I can’t believe how beautiful this piece turned out. It was pretty before, but now it truly is Amazing!!!!!
Beautiful cabinet! Enjoy????
Hi. First of all…what a beautiful piece! And it looks really good stripped down. Secondly, it looks like there’s 2 different products on their website, the stripper and the cleaner. Did you use both or just the stripper? Thanks!
Natalie! What an amazing piece of furniture now that you’ve done your thing with it! You’ve definitely sold me on trying this new product.
Wow!! What a fabulous piece of furniture. Do you think it is French or Italian? I am guessing French!
Wow, what a beautiful piece, I love the after look of it stripped down. I am so excited to see your new home with all of your restored pieces!
It’s a gorgeous piece. I’m never surprised when your pieces turn out so beautifully. What does surprise me is the hosing of the wood, that the piece doesn’t warp because when i tried to take the smell out of a cabinet using water and vinegar the doors did. The wood swelled and never recovered. It will have to go to a specialist now to be repaired. But well done Natalie. Love watching your transformations.
i have had good results with several old pieces that had a funky old wood smell. It takes a while but set in some crumpled up newspapers and whole coffee beans. in a dish.
Gorgeous piece. You inspire me and I’m absolutely loving the raw furniture look. I’m looking around my house for pieces I can convert ????????
Natalie this piece is GORGEOUS!!! What a score!!! Thanks so much for sharing all the info in products you use, I was able to link to all of them. I’m curious about trying both if the strippers you linked. I have a set of beautiful, carved dining chairs I’ve been needing to strip and the clear coat and stain didn’t budge with oven cleaner. Got bless you and your fam! I so miss your daily stories since I left ig. Have a great day!