Steps To Refinishing Furniture
Furniture refinishing is one major way to give new life to old and worn out furniture. If you’ve never done it before, this guide is for you! We’ll walk you through the steps to refinishing furniture and share some helpful tips on how to get beautiful results using these different refinishing furniture techniques.
Whether it’s an old family heirloom or a thrift store find, refinishing furniture is a fun and rewarding project that can save you money and add unique character to your home. Let’s dive in!
Refinishing furniture basically means bringing a piece back to its original or preferred condition using techniques like sanding and staining. It may even involve repairing any damages and making sure the piece is functional again.
You might be wondering why someone would go through all the trouble of refinishing furniture instead of just buying new pieces. Well, for starters, it’s a lot easier on your wallet. Instead of spending a ton on new furniture, you can turn old pieces into something awesome with a bit of effort and creativity.
Plus, there’s something satisfying about giving a second life to an old piece of furniture! You can even create one of a kind pieces that reflect your personal style and taste. So if you have old furniture lying around that you’re not ready to part with, refinishing might be the perfect solution!
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Remove Old Finish from Furniture
First and foremost, it’s important to properly remove the old finish. You want to make sure you’re starting with a clean and smooth surface to work with. There are a few different methods you can use, such as using a chemical stripper or sanding it down.
This is how a stripper works – the stripper will soften the old finish, making it easier to scrape off. You apply a thick layer of the stripper onto the surface and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Then, using a plastic putty knife or other non-metal scraping tool, gently scrape off the old finish. Check out our detailed guide on how to remove stain from wood without sanding here! There are other best wood stain removers here as well, which can help you in the removal process.
You can also remove the finish by sanding, especially if the piece doesn’t have a thick layer of stain. This method can be more time consuming, but you can also use these best sanders to remove paint to help speed up the process. Just be careful when sanding not to damage the wood underneath, and use these best sandpaper for removing paint from wood for best results.
Sand Furniture Smooth for Refinishing
After you’ve stripped the old finish, there could be some rough spots or imperfections on the furniture surface. This is where sanding comes in! You’ll need to sand those down to make the surface smooth and ready for the new finish.
Depending on how rough the surface is, you may need to use different grits of sandpaper to get a smooth result. But usually, a fine grit sandpaper between 120 grit to 220 grit should do the trick. Make sure to sand in the direction of the wood grain for best results.
Once you’re done sanding, make sure to clean off any dust or debris from the surface before moving on to the next step. You can use a vacuum or a tack cloth to get rid of all the extra particles. You don’t want these to get trapped under the new finish and ruin your hard work.
Pre Condition Wood for New Finish
So you’ve stripped off the old finish and sanded your furniture smooth. Now it’s time to “pre-condition” the wood before adding our new finish. Think of it like priming – it helps create a smooth and even surface for the stain to adhere to.
Pre-conditioners are easy to use, you simply apply them with a brush in the direction of the wood grain. Then let it sit for about 5 minutes before wiping off any excess with a clean cloth. You can also check the instructions on the specific product you’re using, as some may have different wait times or application methods.
Although it may seem like an extra step, pre-conditioning can make a huge difference in the end result of your refinishing project. It helps to prevent blotchiness or uneven absorption of the stain, giving you a more consistent and professional look.
Here’s how to refinish a cedar chest where we used Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner. You can also see wood conditioner in action in this blue DIY dresser makeover before staining the top.
Apply New Finish
After all that prep work, it’s time to apply the new finish! But before anything else, always do a test stain on a small spot before covering the whole piece. You’ll want to make sure the color looks how you want it to on your specific wood.
When you’re ready, apply the stain with a clean cloth or brush, following the direction of the wood grain. Here are the best brushes for staining wood that can help you with this step. Work in small sections for better control and even application.
Once the stain is applied, wipe off any excess with a lint free rag, still in the direction of the grain. Let the coat dry completely before deciding if you need to apply another one for a darker or more even finish. Check out our guides on how to stain wood furniture and how to stain wood furniture darker for more tips and tricks!
Seal Newly Refinished Furniture
Now it’s time to give it that final touch – a protective seal. This step is important in prolonging the life of your newly refinished furniture, as well as keeping it looking beautiful for years to come. Without sealing the wood, you won’t keep the finish intact, and it might get damaged or dull over time.
The sealants you can use include polyurethane, polycrylic, and wax. You can learn more about each of them in our topcoats for painting furniture post. Among them, a clear coat sealant like polycrylic or waterbased polyurethane is a popular choice as it won’t alter the color of your stain while providing a strong protective layer.
When applying the sealant, make sure to follow the instructions on the product for the best results. Typically, you’ll need 2-3 coats of sealant for maximum durability, and each coat should dry completely before adding another one. After the final coat, let it cure for at least 24 hours before using your furniture.
With these steps, you’ll have a beautifully refinished piece of furniture that looks good as new, or even better than before! Taking the time to properly remove the old finish, sand the surface smooth, pre-condition the wood, and apply a new finish and sealant will definitely give you not just beautiful, but also long lasting results.
More Refinishing Furniture Tips
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