Don’t let a few scratches or knicks result in a death sentence for your old wood furniture. Many older pieces of furniture were crafted from hard wood with the expectation that they would be serviceable for a lifetime- or longer. You can restore beauty to furniture that has taken a beating by refinishing it. Refinishing a well-made, old table, dresser or desk often produces a more pleasing result than the purchase of a flimsier new piece of furniture.
Refinishing wood furniture is also economical, extending its life for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a replacement.
Getting Ready to Refinish: Are Repairs Needed?
When preparing to refinish wood furniture, first assess whether any repairs will need to be made. Tighten any loose legs, reset any loose trim, and fill any holes or cracks with wood filler. If you need to use wood filler, take care in choosing the product, ensuring you buy high quality filler in a color that will blend into your finished look.
Remove all hardware from the furniture and set it aside, with screws, in a ziploc bag.
Strip the Old Finish
The first step in refinishing a piece of wood furniture is removing the old finish. This is the most tedious and noxious part of the job. You can use wood strippers or sanding to remove the old finish or a combination of both. The odors and dust require working in a well ventilated area. Outdoors on a patio is perfect if the weather is accommodating.
Hand sanding is close to useless when refinishing wood furniture. The best sanders to use are electric belt or disk sanders. A sander will strip flat parts of the furniture but are not effective on curves, trim and narrow strips. For these areas, you will need a chemical furniture stripper. Follow the directions on the chemical stripper carefully. You don’t want the stripper to dry on the furniture.
Once the old piece of furniture is stripped, remove the chemical furniture stripper residue according to the manufacturer directions. Now you are ready to have fun- almost.
Hand Sand the Naked Wood
Sanding the now naked wood is essential if the new stain is to adhere properly. Start with a coarse sandpaper to remove any of the old finish that is stubbornly clinging to the furniture; then use a fine grain sandpaper to smooth the surface. You may be anxious to move on to the decorative phase of this project but take care with the sanding or you will pay for it in the end. Make sure you have sanded the surface smoothly so that no scratches or rough patches remain.
Fill as Needed
Determine whether you need to fill the grain. If the grain is large, filler is necessary whereas a tight-grained wood does not require one.
If you are using grain filler, apply it with a rag, work it into the furniture, and let it dry. Use a putty knife to remove any excess. Lightly sand with the grain before applying stain.
Apply Stain
Before staining, apply a sanding sealer. After a few minutes, wipe off any excess and allow the sealer to dry completely. Lightly sand.
Use a rag or brush to apply the stain in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions. Wipe off any excess with a rag. If a darker color is desired, repeat until the color is achieved.
Once the stain has set for the time recommended by the manufacturer, buff the furniture thoroughly with a dry, clean rag.
