How to Refinish a Painted & Stained Piece of Furniture

An old, dull piece of furniture can be revitalized by refinishing it. What once appeared worn and lackluster can take on the life of a whole new piece with only a little effort and time. It's not difficult to successfully refinish your painted and stained pieces of furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Soft brushes
• Paint stripper
• Plastic putty knife
• 400-grit sandpaper
• Wood conditioner
• Soft cloth
• Stain
• Polyurethane clear coat

Instructions

1. Place the drop cloth underneath your work area. Chemicals like paint, stain and paint stripper will damage unprotected surfaces like floors and carpets.

2. Apply a thin coat of paint stripper to the furniture with a clean brush. Allow the stripper to sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Remove the old paint and stain with the plastic putty knife. Scrape the surface of the piece until all the old paint and stain has been removed. Don't use a metal scraper, as it will damage the furniture's surface.

4. Wipe the surface of the furniture with a soft, damp cloth to remove any excess chemicals. Wait until it is completely dry before proceeding.

5. Sand the entire surface of the piece of furniture with 400-grit sandpaper. Make sure you sand with the grain.

6. Apply a coat of wood conditioner, with a clean brush, to the entire surface of the piece. This will ensure the stain applied absorbs evenly into the wood. Allow the piece to completely dry.

7. Apply a thin, even coat of stain to the piece with a clean brush. Wait until the first coat is dry before applying more coats. Apply as many coats as necessary until the piece is dark enough for your needs.

8. Apply a thin layer of polyurethane clear coat with a clean brush. This will act as a sealant and protect the surface of your piece of furniture.

Tips & Warnings

• Work in a well-ventilated area when using chemicals like polyurethane and stains. Wear gloves when working with caustic chemicals.