How to Refinish an Oak Dresser

Do you wish the oak dresser in your bedroom was a little more attractive? If it is solidly built and well-designed, all it may need is a face lift. You can do the job yourself at home and turn your oak dresser into a fresh-faced work of art.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chemical stripper Sanding gear Scraper or putty knife Rags Brushes Grain filler Sanding sealer Wood stainer Wood finish

1. Buy a chemical stripper labeled as requiring "no cleanup" or as easily washed away with water. While some strippers come in liquid form, others can be found as gels or pastes. Since you will be working with both horizontal and vertical surfaces, it is best to avoid liquid forms that will run off the sides of your dresser.

2. Carefully follow the instructions that come from the manufacturer of the chemical stripper.

3. Detach all of the dresser's drawers. You must work with each piece separately until the process is complete.

4. Spread a coat of stripper over a small area of your dresser's surface. Wait for the time advised in the manufacturer's instructions while the stripper does its work.

5. Use a round-edged scraper or putty knife to remove the old finish. In places where the finish refuses to come off, use steel wool soaked in the stripper. In certain areas, multiple applications of stripper may be required.

6. Clean the remaining stripper from the surfaces of your dresser with water or turpentine, according to your manufacturer's directions, and wait for the wood to dry.

7. Lightly sand the dresser's surfaces where needed. The appearance of your new finish will largely depend on how well you sand. Do not leave any rough patches or defects, and sand in the direction of the wood grain.

8. Since your dresser is made of oak, you must work grain filler into the grain. Grain filler is a pigmented paste, so choose a color that goes with your planned design. This will depend on the color of the wood, the color you want to stain it and the degree to which you'd like the wood grain emphasized. Apply the paste filler and press it into the grain along the surfaces of your dresser and dresser drawers.

9. Allow the filler to dry before using a putty knife or scraper to remove excess. Sand lightly once again along the grain line.

10. Apply a sanding sealer to all surfaces and allow it to dry before lightly sanding once again. This acts as a primer for the wood, preventing it from absorbing too much of your stain.

11. Apply your chosen stain evenly to the wood with a brush or rag, and allow it to penetrate the wood as long as desired: the longer you leave it, the darker the color. Wipe off excess stain with a rag and leave the wood to dry. Repeat this step if you want your wood darker.

12. Using either polyurethane, water-based polyurethane or lacquer, apply your finish. According to manufacturer instructions, you might need to apply several coats and even lightly sand between applications. Allow your oak dresser to dry completely before replacing the drawers.

Tips & Warnings

• When using chemical strippers, have good ventilation, wear rubber gloves and protect your eyes.