Refinishing a steel dresser.

You guys know I love me a good industrial piece of furniture (dresser 1, dresser 2, Simmons Desk 3).
And I’m talking the real-deal-industrial, not the mass produced stuff that is currently popping up in all the big-box stores.
So of course I couldn’t resist when I happened upon this Simmons all steel dresser by Normal Bel Geddes from the 1930’s.

Suffice it to say it was in AWFUL shape.

From what I can guess, it looked like someone had intentions of stripping the authentic enamel green by putting this pink paint remover on it.
Obvey’s it didn’t work from the scraping they attempted on the side and apparently gave up.
Tragic.

Luckily I know a steel-working-magician.

And she transformed it.

Here’s the deal-io about steel furniture refinishing…it is the most difficult type of material to refinish! Each time I’ve attempted to refinish these types pieces myself I’ve throw in the towel. They are so time consuming and SO MUCH WORK. I’ve tried almost every short cut method in the book…power sanders, grinders paint removers…I’ve tried it. Power sanders semi-work but you don’t get that fine finish. Plus you run the risk of over sanding and grinding one area while not touching another. I’ve even called a handful of professional sand-blasting places. They claim they can get the paint off but it won’t be that fine polished look. Instead you’ll get a foggy haze. So the unfortunate truth about refinishing steel pieces to look like this is you have to go at it by hand with good old sand paper and “elbow grease.” Yes, it will take hours, no it will not be fun, but the result will be so worth it.

Check out those beautiful weld marks. That’s like panning for gold and finding it! I can’t even.

Sadly, I’ve been persuaded to put it up for sale. According to the Mr. we don’t have the space for a third steel dresser at our house.
Yah.
What does he know?!
Come pick it up at The Old Flamingo. Or if you’re not local you can purchase it here.

In the meantime, enjoy my other pretty steel pieces that have gone through some major restorations.