How to Refinish a Barrister's Bookcase

Refinishing a bookcase can give the furniture new life.

For a barrister, or lawyer, it's important to have an office that looks organized and well-kept. This includes things such as maintaining the finish on the furniture, including the bookcases that display law books and other references. These bookcases also look sophisticated in a home library, study or office. When the finish begins to look worn, you can redo the surface, restoring the luster of the bookcase.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Painter's tape
• Tarp
• Dropcloth
• Chemical stripper
• Gloves
• Mask
• Putty knife
• Toothbrush
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Wood putty
• Tack cloth
• Stain
• 1/2-inch paintbrush
• 2-inch paintbrush
• Clean rag
• Polyurethane
• Shellac

Instructions

1. Remove the doors on the bookcase by unscrewing the hinges from the bookcase and the doors. If the doors contain glass, place painter's tape around the edges of the glass on both sides to protect it from the stain.

2. Move the bookcase and doors to a well-ventilated area and place on a tarp or dropcloth to protect the floor. If the bookcase cannot be moved, place a tarp or dropcloth over the area around the bookcase. Open windows and doors, and use a fan to keep the air circulating. The fumes from the stain can be hazardous if inhaled.

3. Apply a chemical stripping agent to the wood and allow it to interact with the original stain for the time specified on the packaging. Wear gloves and a mask when applying the stripper.

4. Remove the stripper and old stain by scraping it off with a putty knife. Hold the putty knife at a low angle and take care not to nick the wood while scraping. If necessary, add more stripper to any remaining stain, then scrape it away. Use a toothbrush for any spots that are hard to remove with the putty knife.

5. Sand the wood with fine-grit sandpaper. Use light pressure and sand in the direction of the grain. You want to use just enough pressure to scratch the surface of the wood and make it easier for the new stain to soak into the wood.

6. Examine the surface of the bookcase and the door frames for any nicks or holes. If you find any, fill them with wood putty and then sand it down to smooth the surface.

7. Wipe off the wood with a tack cloth to remove the dust.

8. Apply the stain to the bookcase, starting in areas where the wood is more intricate, using a 1/2-inch brush. Then stain the main sections of the bookcase with a 2-inch brush. When applying the stain, go in the direction of the grain and use long, smooth strokes. Wipe off any excess stain with a rag to keep it from pooling up. Allow the stain to dry for the time specified on the packaging. Stain the frames of the doors to match.

9. Apply a second coat of stain if the color is too light after the first coat has been applied. Allow it to dry thoroughly.

10. Cover the bookcase and door frames with a topcoat of polyurethane or shellac, applying it with the brushes just as you applied the stain. Allow it to dry, then sand it lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe the dust off with the tacking cloth and add a second coat. This protects the finish of the wood.

11. Reattach the hinges and doors.

References

• Minwax: Staining Interior Wood
• Lowe's: How to Refinish Wood Furniture
• Ron Hazelton: How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Without Stripping