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Are you ready to give your worn-out furniture a new lease on life? Refinishing is a rewarding DIY project that allows you to transform outdated furniture into gorgeous one of a kind pieces. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step as I refinish a table I purchased at a steal from the facebook marketplace. From stripping off the old top coat or paint to achieving stunning finishes that will make your furniture shine. Get ready to unleash your creativity and breathe new life into your your cherished heirlooms or thrifted finds.
Supplies List:
Your chosen furniture piece
Tack cloths
A good quality stain or furniture paint
Water based polyurethane satin finish
Water based polyurethane matte finish (if desired)
Step 1: Stripping Off the Top Coat or Paint:
- Begin by removing the existing top coat or paint from your furniture using a paint stripper. I have experimented with several and I prefer Citrus strip stripping gel. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to work with as the gel form is less messy than liquid, less toxic than other alternatives and very effective at removing both varnish and paint.
- Follow the instructions provided on whichever paint stripper product you choose and ensure you’re working in a well-ventilated area. Use a Putty Knife/scraper to gently scrape away the softened top coat or paint.
Step 2: Sanding for a Smooth Surface:
- After stripping, sand the furniture using an orbital sander and various grits of sandpaper, starting with a coarse grit (such as 80 or 120) and gradually progressing to finer grits (such as 220 or 320). For this table top project I started with 80 grit and covered the surface numerous times to get it down to the raw wood. I then sanded subsequent layers with 120, 200 and 320 to get a smooth finish to the table top before preparing to stain and seal.
- Sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid damaging the surface of your piece and work in smooth motions to avoid swirl marks from the sander. Focus on achieving a smooth and even surface by removing any imperfections or remaining traces of the previous finish.
Step 3: Cleaning with a Tack Cloth:
- Once sanding is complete, clean off all the sanding particles and dust from the furniture using a tack cloth.
- Gently wipe the surface, ensuring that no dust or debris remains before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Painting or Staining:
- If you plan to paint some or all of your piece you will want to start with a good primer – I use Zinnser Bullseye 1.2.3 and apply an even coat with a foam roller. After it has dried the appropriate amount of time you can then apply an enamel paint using either a foam roller or paint sprayer to get a smooth finish. I wanted the table legs on my project to be black. I completed a base prime coat and then used a foam roller to apply Behr cabinet and door trim enamel in blackout.
- Allow the paint to dry completely between coats, and apply additional coats as needed for optimal coverage.
- If staining is your preference, select a stain color that complements the wood and apply it using a brush or cloth. For this project I whitewashed the table top to soften some of the orange/yellow tones and provide a more neutral finish before sealing the wood.
- Apply the stain per manufacturers recommendation and allow to dry before moving on to your next step.
Step 5: Sealing with Satin Finish:
- After the paint or stain has dried, seal the furniture with several thin coats of water based polyurethane in a clear satin finish.
- Use a stain grade brush or foam brush, applying each coat in smooth, even strokes.
- Allow sufficient drying time between coats, and lightly sand with a fine-grit (200) sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections before applying subsequent coats. For a high traffic area like a table top I completed 4 coats with the satin finish. If the piece you are completely will have less regular use you may be ok with 2-3 coats total of polyurethane.
Step 6: Achieving a Matte Finish:
- If you desire a matte finish, once the satin finish is fully dry, apply a final coat of a matte product specifically designed for furniture.
- Follow the instructions on the matte finish product, and apply it evenly to the surface using a brush or foam applicator. Using the matte product for only your last coat will give you the matte finish without the potential of a milky appearance if you used the matte product in all of your layers.
Now stand back and celebrate a job well done. Furniture refinishing is extremely satisfying and allows you to breathe new life into your pieces that may have looked forgotten. By following these step-by-step instructions, from stripping off the old top coat or paint to completing your final stunning finish, you’ll be able to transform your furniture with confidence. So gather your tools, unleash your creativity, and let the beauty of your refinished furniture shine in your home.
Here is a photo of the ikea table that inspired my project and my finished piece in our dining area. So happy with the final product.