We are excited to bring you a series of guest posts by Lou Manfredini, host of House Smarts TV!
Your dining room table is a mess, the coffee table looks like milk is permanently imbedded in the finish and even your kitchen cabinets have this film around the knobs you just cannot get off. Never fear, “Howards Restor-A-Finish” is here! (Note: I have no working relationship with this company. I just really like their stuff!)
I discovered this product at an antique store about 15 years ago. This was their secret to getting all of their wares to look spectacular. It is now available at good hardware stores across the country. Here’s how it works. You buy a bottle of this stuff in the approximate color of the piece of furniture or cabinet you are going to be working on. They also make a neutral product that works on anything. Then you buy some #0000 steel wool. The more zero’s the finer the wool. Then pour some of the refinisher in a bucket or small bowl, wear good rubber gloves and some safety glasses (safety never takes a vacation) and soak the steel wool in the bucket. Ring it out a bit and then apply even pressure with the grain of
the wood to essentially peel a little bit of the finish off. Use a clean cotton rag after a few passes to see how you are doing. Do not push too hard as you may remove all the finish and then my easy fix just got a whole lot harder. This works great on small scratches, heat rings and that funk that is on your kitchen cabinets. This fix will cost you under $12.00. Good luck! If you need more help or have any other questions about your home you can visit me at www.housesmartstv.com.
Manfredini began his media career in 1995 when WGN-AM Radio 720 Chicago launched his idea for a home improvement call-in radio show, called
Mr. Fix It. 15 years later, Mr. Fix It is still the number one Saturday morning radio program in Chicagoland. Manfredini also hosts and co-
produces a Nationally Syndicated television show called HouseSmarts, is a regular home improvement contributor for NBC’s “Today Show” and
a contributor on NBC 5’s morning show in Chicago. He has authored five successful home improvement books for homeowner’s who want to
understand how their homes work.
In addition to his media engagements, Manfredini represents Ace Hardware and Marvin Windows and Doors and other companies related to the home. He continues to run his own hardware store in Chicago, keeping him up-to-date on the homebuilding industry’s latest trends and technology. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Mary Beth, and four children.
Does Lou’s tip help you with a project you need to do at your house? I know we could use this tip on our dining room table! Leave us a comment and let us know!
We use our dining table a lot so we bought one that can take the wear and tear and still look fine. Consider how you’ll be using yours.
We have been thinking about tearing up our carpet and redoing the wood floors. This would probably be great for that, thanks!
MY mom is debating wood floors in the basement area, this is a good post for us to work with to think about what’s best for my moms home.thanks.
We just redid our hard woods! The best thing we have ever done!
My table has some white rings, maybe this would work.