Howard Products Restor-A-Finish, Wood Stain to Restore a Finish for Wood Surfaces, Golden Oak, 16 Fl Oz, Pack of 1

There are very few products that deliver exactly what the description or ad says. But this is one of those products. We have a 20 year old golden oak coffee table that was not waterproof finished and over the years showed wear, scratches and lots of white water spots or drink spots. I bought the Howard Restor-a-finish thinking what the heck I might try it and i’monly out $10 if it doesn’t work and I toss the table or have strip the whole thing. Amazing one wipe and the spots and uneven color was gone instantly. Now I thought too good to be true and as soon as the surface dries the spots will be back, but I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. The table looks like new and a keeper. Totally surprised this stuff really works. One caution to read the instructions and warnings carefully. I left the table outside for many hours and put the table in a bathroom with the exhaust fan until the fumes evaporated completely.

Nothing except total refinishing will make old, scratched, damaged furniture look new. But some products have the ability to make it look really good, and this one of those products. I used the suggested 0000 steel wool pads and poured the restorer on the pad. Wiping with the grain of the wood, applying various amounts of pressure depending on the severity of the damage. Once the first round was applied and then wiped off with a clear cotton cloth, I waited 30 minutes and repeated the process. Then did it again a third time. The product really works well, but again, it's no miracle worker. Several thoughts on the product. First off if the finish is chipped or gouged to bare wood, this will not improve that area. You need a furniture color pen to darken the wood, or use a filler and then a furniture pen and blend the area to match. Also start with a light color restorer, (I used the Golden Oak), and if that doesn't work as well as expected you can also go to a darker shade, but you can't go from dark to light. Finally the rags you use as well as the steel wool will be hazardous due to the solvent they retain. Rags with solvent can self-combust so please dispose of them properly. I suggest either soaking them in water before placing them outside in a closed garbage can or in a metal can with the lid tightly closed. I usually have a few empty paint cans from a big box store just for such purpose. The photos speak for themselves. A good product for easy refinishing to a much better finish.

Overall I think its a good product. I did have some issues getting it to cover a few light spots on a table top which I will need to buy regular stain and try to get it covered. On a scale of one to ten I would give it an 8 for coverage. It cleans up easy and besides the few spots on the tabletop it brought most of it back to life again. Good price over buying stain and less work to complete.

(Golden Oak color) Highly recommend this product! It shined up and restored some 2004 cabinets that have seen better days. They look 10x better now. The cabinets before applying looked so dry!!! Now they look like they had a rejuvenating day at the spa. Affordable and effective!

Excellent product! Easy to use and apply. We purchased a secondhand 40 to 50 year-old oak table and chair set. Thought I was going to have to refinish it, but this product did an amazing job. I would highly recommend. Before & after photos of the table surface.

If I had ANY idea that this would work so well, I’d have taken before and after pictures. I have a late 90’s home. Wall to wall oak paneling, cabinets, trim. It ALL WAS Looking like I would need to strip and refinish. Several people said I should just paint it all. No way! This beautiful wood shouldn’t be covered. So this product was my last attempt to bring it back. I can’t express how amazing it is. Yes, it does have a smell. But it isn’t bad. Run a fan while applying. Coverage was good for one coat on most. But I waited 2 weeks and just finished a 2nd coat of some cabinets that needed a lit more. Next I’ll apply the beeswax to finish. Kitchen and breakfast nook are complete. I’ll have to buy more to do the living room, entryway, doors and dining room.

I've been a hobby refinisher of old (some actually antique) furniture for many years. I had mostly used three techniques: (1) strip/stain/varnish, or (2) soften/clean the old finish with a product like Formby's, or (3) fill, sand, and paint. Restore-A-Finish added a fourth option. You just wipe it on over the old finish. It doesn't strip it or soften it or cover it; it blends with the old finish, evening out splotches, white rings, and even scratches. I've been truly amazed more than once at how easy it is to work with and how well it works. It is now my first choice technique. In fact, my garage sale scrounging is now mostly focused on finding pieces that look like they will come back to life nicely with Restor-A-Finish. So far, I have four of the nine colors. It goes a long way, but I'm on m second can of Golden Oak. It's great stuff!

I love the product but it arrived without the cap that fits inside the bottle on it I just now got it out to use it so it’s beyond the exchange window. I went to shake it up and it went everywhere. It’s one of the best furniture polish/restore products I’ve ever used it’s just aggravating to not have both parts of the lid.

Me sorprendió gratamente el resultado, lo aplique en unos muebles de madera que el acabado estaba bastante bien sin raspones pero se veían algo sucios un poco descolorido y como que el dueño anterior quiso barnizarlos en algunas una zona sin el cuidado adecuado y sin terminar. Al aplicar este producto se restauro completamente el brillo, se le desprendió el barniz sobrepuesto quedando el acabado original, se le quito lo cenizo y los muebles quedaron como nuevos. El acabado no es aceitoso y no colecta polvo. excelente producto.

Plenty of similar products are in market.But I purchased RAF its a good product and reasonable price no smell just like a oil.Easy to use.surface carefull entire finish clean the whole piece you must remove all dirt .

Lo mejor que he probado para las maderas, las deja como nuevas muy recomendado, llegó en buenas condiciones

Les devuelve la vida a los muebles antiguos

Freshened up my kitchen cabinets and I am pleased with the results. The worn areas were covered up and are only noticeable to those who knew they were there. Some areas are darker than the original shade but still looks better than before. Great product if you want to freshen up you wood in little time for next to nothing.