How to Refinish Wood Furniture

Wood furniture is lovely when finished properly. Depending on the condition and detailing of your refinishing project, it can be restored to its original beauty.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paint or varnish stripper
• Protective eyewear
• Heavy-duty gloves
• Baking soda
• Metal spackle/scraping knife
• Varnish/sealer
• Assorted sandpaper
• Fine steel wool
• Coffee can or disposable glass or metal container
• Three disposable non-synthetic paintbrushes
• Cloth rags

1. Select a well-ventilated work area away from open flames. A garage or outside works well. Tape some newspaper or a large disposable cloth on the work area floor.

2. Remove drawers, doors, mirrors and any hardware. Place them aside. Clean the furniture pieces with oil soap.

3. Scrape off any loose varnish. If the piece is ornate (carved or detailed), use a wire brush. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion, going with the grain to avoid damaging the wood. Dust or vacuum off when done. Place drawers in position with the doors facing toward the ceiling or sky. Cover areas you wish to keep the way they are to avoid exposure to the stripper.

4. Apply stripper to areas where refinishing is necessary, using a disposable brush. Leave it on for the amount of time indicated on the stripper. Using your spackle knife, scrape stripper off and discard into coffee can. Clean off the spackle knife as needed. Repeat until finish is removed. Flip piece as necessary to allow the stripper to cling to each surface. Clean off surfaces exposed to stripper with a clean cloth.

5. Sand as necessary to create a smooth surface before staining. Clean area and replace drop cloth and/or newspaper.

6. Apply the stain. Let it set for the amount of time specified on the stain. Wipe away with the cloth and let it dry.

7. Apply sealer/varnish to stained wood. If multiple varnish layers are going to be applied, let project dry in between layers. Before each additional coat of varnish, lightly sand area with steel wool or extra fine sandpaper.

8. Reattach hardware and mirrors.