Reimagining your Grandpa's Buffet

This piece has been a centerpiece in the B's kitchen for two generations. As the B kids have gotten older, moved out, and bought their own homes, this buffet has stayed behind in their childhood home.

The buffet is ready for a new adventure!

Overall, the piece was in really great shape. There were only a few places where the veneer was peeling and was a concern.

First, the piece needed a thorough cleaning. Then I used Howard Products (Restore a Finish) to brighten up the wood grain. To apply, I used 0000 steel wool. You rub the product into the wood, then wipe away the excess. This was a really, really easy way to get that great finish without stripping and staining.

In places that the veneer was cracked or missing, I applied Bondo for repairs. The insides of the door had the most amount of damage, so there's where I applied most of the Bondo.

Bondo is a super hard putty that takes two different chemicals to create a chemical reaction. I decided to use Bondo on this piece because I know that veneer can be really hard to work with and I wanted to ensure the product would stay adhered to the doors. I also knew that with my Surf Prep, I would be able to get around the curves of the door to sand down any extra product.

Once the piece was prepped, I masked off all of the areas I didn't want painted and applied Heirloom Traditions Paint in Iron Gate with my Graco TruCoat 360 (set on the high setting).

Once finished, I put back on the doors and added a polyurethane to the top. You'll notice that the inside of the doors are also painted black because there was so much damage to the veneer. The hardware was shined up with some Rub 'n Buff (antique gold) - and the piece is looking as good as new!

Overall, I was worried that the project was going to be a big step out of my comfort zone - but restoring the finish and updating the piece was definitely beginner/intermediate skill level. The level of finish I was able to achieve was definitely a result of my paint sprayer.

Now, the piece needs to find a new home!

Happy painting and creating!