You may want to switch things up with your painted furniture pieces, and refinishing painted furniture is a great way to do just that! If you’re interested in learning about the refinishing furniture techniques that can give your pieces a fresh new look, then keep reading!

In this guide, we’ll cover the steps and tips to help you successfully refinish painted furniture. You can totally create a unique and beautiful finish on your furniture that will make it look like new again.

applying stain onto furniture with text overlay

Painted furniture is a popular trend to bring some color and personality into your home decor. You can find all sorts of furniture pieces in different styles and colors, from bright and bold to soft and subtle.

Click here for the paint removal checklist and guide

But, after some time, you may want to update the look and go for a more classic or natural finish. That’s where refinishing painted furniture comes in – giving new life to your previously painted pieces.

Refinishing furniture still allows you to customize your pieces according to your personal style and home decor. You have the freedom to choose from various stain colors and techniques, creating a unique look for your piece. So let’s dive into the process!

Supplies Used for Refinishing Painted Furniture

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Krud Kutter
Paint Stripper (to remove paint)
Coarse Sandpaper or Sander with Sanding Discs (to remove paint)
Mineral Spirits and Steel Wool for cleaning up after stripping
Shop Vac and Tack Cloth for cleaning up after sanding
Fine Grit Sandpaper
Stain
Gloves
Brush, Stain Applicator, or Clean Cloth (to apply stain)
Topcoat

Clean Painted Furniture

First things first, clean your painted piece thoroughly before starting the refinishing process. You want your new finish to adhere properly, and any remaining dirt or grime can prevent that from happening.

Remove the hardware then wipe your furniture with a degreaser like Krud Kutter. Make sure to go all over the piece, including the corners and crevices. Leave your furniture to dry completely before moving on.

Remove Old Paint on Furniture

Next, you need to remove the old paint before you can refinish your furniture. There are various ways you can do this. If you are dealing with multiple layers of paint, it’s best to use a chemical paint stripper. Here’s the whole process of how to remove paint from wood furniture with Citristrip.

using chemical stripper to remove paint before refinishing

If you only have one layer of paint or if you prefer not to use chemicals, sanding is another option. Using an electric sander with coarse sandpaper can make the process faster and easier for larger pieces of furniture. Check out the best sanders to remove paint here to learn which sanders can do this job best.

using sander to remove paint before refinishing

Don’t forget to clean up after stripping or sanding. Clean up the sticky residue from chemical strippers with mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool. And if you chose sanding as your method, get rid of all the dust with a shop vac and then use a tack cloth to remove any remaining particles.

Sand Furniture Before Refinishing

Now that your painted furniture is clean and free of old paint, it’s time to sand before refinishing. This step helps smooth out any imperfections in the wood surface and prepares it for staining.

sanding with sander to smooth surface before refinishing

Fine grit sandpaper, such as 220 grit, is the perfect tool for this job if you’re hand sanding. You can also use an electric sander to speed up the process a little bit. Both methods will create a smooth finish without removing too much of the wood. And after sanding, clean up the dust – you don’t want any particles to leave any rough texture on your finished piece.

How to Refinish Painted Furniture

And for the main event – refinishing painted furniture! You can choose between oil based stains, water based stains, or gel stains depending on your preferences. Let’s look into each of these options to help you decide which one to use.

Types of Wood Stain

First up, we have oil based stains. These are the classic wood stain option and they’re known for being durable and easy to use. They penetrate deeply into the wood, giving it a rich and warm finish. However, they do have longer drying times and have strong fumes, so if these are concerns for you, make sure to plan ahead and work in a well ventilated area.

oil based wood stains for refinishing furniture

If you’re looking for a less toxic and more environmentally friendly option, water based stains may be the way to go. They have a faster drying time, though you’ll have to work fast because of this, especially on larger projects. Using a water based stain can also raise the wood grain, so be prepared for some extra sanding between coats.

waterbased wood stain for refinishing furniture

Last but not least, we have gel stains. These are thicker in consistency and make a more uniform color. They don’t penetrate too much into the wood, so you can create a more consistent finish throughout your piece.

How to Apply Stain on Furniture

After you’ve picked a stain, here’s how to apply it to your furniture. Start by mixing the stain – stir it well, then test it on a small area before committing to the whole piece. This way, you can see the color and finish beforehand, if it’s too light or too dark, and make any adjustments.

Now, put on your gloves to protect your hands. You can use a brush, stain applicator, or a clean cloth to apply the stain. Make sure to go with the wood grain, using smooth and even strokes, for a more natural look.

Once you’ve applied a coat of stain, let it sit depending on what’s recommended for your type of stain. But generally, the longer you leave it on, the deeper the color will be. Then use a clean cloth to wipe off any excess stain, still in the direction of the wood grain.

If the color isn’t as deep as you’d like, you can always add another coat of stain. Just let the first coat dry and then see if you want more. You’ll need to seal the stain, so you should also consider that the topcoat can deepen the color a little more too. Here’s how to stain wood furniture darker for more on this!

Check out our guide on how to stain wood furniture for more detailed tips and tricks on staining your wood pieces.

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220 Grit Sandpaper

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Tack Cloth

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Minwax Wood Stain

Seal Stained Furniture

With your furniture looking all stained and beautiful, you need to seal it to protect the wood and maintain the finish. Applying a topcoat will also enhance the color of the stain and give your piece a more professional looking finish.

You can choose between polyurethane, polyacrylic, or wax – each with its own pros and cons. For a more durable finish, polyurethane is the way to go. However, the oil based formula comes with a strong smell and longer drying time.

Polycrylic is water based polyurethane with less fumes and quicker drying time but isn’t as durable as oil based poly. And while wax provides a natural look, it’s not as protective and will need to be reapplied every so often.

mixing varathane polyurethane to seal refinished painted furniture

Apply thin and even coats of the topcoat in the direction of the wood grain. This will not only help to minimize brush marks but also give a more polished finish. Three coats should be enough for most sealants. You can also sand between coats if you want to remove any texture. Check out our blog post about topcoats for painting furniture for helpful tips and guides about sealing furniture.

Now you have beautifully refinished furniture! From a painted, outdated piece to a stunningly stained and sealed one, refinishing painted furniture is easier than you think. So next time you come across an old painted piece, don’t hesitate to give it new life with this process. For more inspiration here’s our list of armoire refinishing ideas.