How to Refinish White Washed Oak Chairs
White wash finish adds a waxy look to furniture while protecting the wood. Any white washed piece of furniture must be stripped and refinished to restore the original look of the wood. This can be accomplished with only a small amount of time and effort. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Chemical stripper
- Putty knife
- Medium-grade steel wool
- 220-grit sandpaper
- Sanding sealer
- Cloth
- Brushes
- Stain
- Polyurethane
Instructions
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1
To remove the white wash finish, apply a thick coat of the chemical stripper to the oak chair and wait until the old white wash finish begins to peel.
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2
Scrape the old white wash finish off the oak chair with the putty knife. Scrape along the wood grain, using a piece of medium-grade steel wool on any hard to remove spots of old finish.
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3
Remove excess chemical stripper from the oak chair. Wipe the entire surface of the chair with a damp, clean cloth.
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4
Prepare the wood of the oak chair. Sand the entire oak chair with 220-grit sandpaper. Sand along the grain until the oak is smooth and clean.
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5
Apply a heavy coat of sanding sealer to the entire surface of the oak chair as this will ensure the new finish absorbs evenly into the wood. Wipe any excess sealer off with a clean cloth.
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6
Apply the first coat of stain to the oak chair with a clean brush. This should be a thin, even coat. Allow this coat to dry before applying further coats. Apply further coats until the new finish is dark enough to suit your needs.
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7
Apply a thin coat of polyurethane to the oak chair with a clean brush to seal the wood. Allow this coat to dry and lightly sand the oak chair with the 220 grit sandpaper. Apply two more thin coats of polyurethane, taking the time to sand the wood in between coats.
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Tips & Warnings
Water-based stains are the best stains for oak wood.
Typically you need to apply a coat of grain filler when refinishing oak however the presence of the old whitewash finish should fill the grains.
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Wear eye protection and gloves.
