Refinish Wood Furniture

Are you considering discarding your old faded wood furniture? If it’s structurally sound and attractively designed, consider refinishing it instead. Refinishing will make your wood furniture look magnificent and save you from spending time and money replacing it.

As wood ages, it begins to turn dark, dull and lifeless. Older wood finishes are generally weaker than the advanced finishes we use today, so older wood actually needs a greater amount of protection than newer wood. Your wood furniture may have lost its luster but with a few simple steps it's easy to restore it back to looking new and elegant.

The experts at your local True Value hardware store can help you select the perfect wood stain and products to complete this home improvement project in no time. Follow these simple steps to start refinishing:

Step. 1 Prepare the Area
Select a well-ventilated work area such as a garage or outdoor deck. Make sure your furniture refinishing area is dry and free of dust. Use masking tape to secure newspaper or a large drop cloth to the floor to prevent stains. Remove drawers, doors, mirrors and any hardware from your wood furniture.

Safety Alert!

Never refinish near an open flame as stripping chemicals and stains can ignite.

Step 2. Remove Old Varnish
You can scrape off loose varnish by sanding and/or using chemical strippers. To remove finishes quickly from larger areas, use a belt sander. Take care not to damage the piece by sanding too deeply. Sand carefully by hand around decoratively curved areas such as turned table legs.

Using chemical strippers is an easier method. Most chemical strippers need to be mixed with water so check the manufacturer's directions before applying. Using a medium-sized paintbrush, apply the solution evenly over the surface. Let it soak 20-30 minutes then remove the old finish using a plastic scraper or a smooth, round-edged putty knife. The surface may be soft so be careful not to damage it with the scraper. Allow the piece to dry completely.

Safety Alert!

Always wear rubber gloves and protective goggles when using strong chemicals.

Helpful Tips:

Use chemical strippers clearly marked "no cleanup" or "will wash away with water." However, the "no cleanup" type stripper may leave a residue, which must be sanded away. Residue from the "wash away" type can be removed by rinsing with water. Be aware that water may raise the grain of the wood. Lightly sand to reduce this effect.
Heat guns can be used as a supplement to other methods to remove particularly stubborn finishes.

Step 3. Sand
The more thorough you are during the stripping process, the less you'll need to sand. Start sanding with medium-low grit sandpaper to clean off any finish that remains and smooth out any imperfections in the wood. Then smooth the whole piece down with medium-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand along the grain of the wood. Do this carefully as any swirl marks caused by sanding will stand out when you stain.

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Step 4. Apply Sanding Sealer
Applying sanding sealer is similar to priming the wood. The sealer reduces the tendency of some woods to absorb stains unevenly. Sealer can also be applied after staining to reduce the number of finish coats necessary. When applying sanding sealer, first use a small-sized paintbrush to brush the surface and wipe clean with a cloth. Shake the sealer thoroughly and apply 2 thin coats to the piece using the paintbrush. Avoid allowing the sealer to puddle or fill in decorative grooves. Wipe off excess and allow the sealer to dry completely before lightly sanding with medium-grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain. Wipe the area with a clean cloth.

Step 5. Stain
The stain you use will determine the color of the wood once it's finished. Staining helps reduce contrasts between different wood varieties that may be present in your furniture. Oil-based stains penetrate into the wood without raising the grain but carry a strong odor. Water-based stains are more environmentally friendly and offer easy cleanup using soap and water. Do not use deck stain on furniture.

Apply stain with a cloth or medium-sized paintbrush and allow it to penetrate into the wood. Coat once for a light stain or apply additional coats to create a darker color. Lightly sand between coats with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe off excess stain with a clean cloth and allow the piece to dry completely. Use a clean cloth to apply a wood finish such as polyurethane or tung oil.

Helpful Tip:

If you are using water-based stains, you can minimize raising the grain by moistening the wood with a damp cloth and sanding. Allow the wood to dry completely and sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. Repeat as necessary.

Now sit back and admire your newly updated wood furniture! Return to your local True Value hardware store for expert advice on future home maintenance.

For more projects, go to TrueValue.com. >

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