How to Refinish a Drop Leaf Table

Refinishing a table is a wonderful way to bring a tired piece of furniture back to life and gain great personal satisfaction in creating a beautiful product. While this task requires patience and care, it is one that anyone can accomplish with relatively simple tools and techniques. Take this process one step at a time and you can reverse years of abuse or turn a mismatched piece of furniture into a custom-tailored complement to your home decor. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Preparing Your Table for Refinishing

1

Choose an easy-to-clean area with good ventilation and ample space. Working outside when sanding is acceptable. However, when refinishing your table, dust or debris in the air will become trapped in the finish, so an indoor area with good ventilation is preferable. Protect the floor with a drop sheet if necessary. This project will take a minimum of two to three days, so plan accordingly.

2

Disassemble your table as needed for full and easy access to all surfaces that will be refinished. Sanding in small spaces and in corners is difficult and can result in damage to adjoining surfaces as well as uneven absorption of your new stain.

3

Remove existing polyurethane coating with a paint-and-finish stripper, following the instructions for use provided with the product. Strip the finish with a plastic scraper that will not damage the wood. Repeat as needed to remove as much of the existing polyurethane as possible.

4

Sand all surfaces completely starting with heavier grit (lower number) sandpaper and finishing with 180 or 220 grit for desired smoothness. Complete a full sanding of all surfaces with each grade of sandpaper. In all painting and refinishing, preparing your surface is 80 percent of the work and crucial in achieving a high quality end result. For an even and "like new" finish, all old stain must be removed. Sand all surfaces down to bare, natural tone wood. Take care, particularly with heavier grit paper or softer wood tables, not to round off corners or sand down too far in one spot resulting in an uneven or damaged surface.

5

Clean all wood surfaces and surrounding work area before refinishing. Good ventilation is important for safety, but dust and debris in the air may become trapped in your new finish as it dries. Wipe down the table with a lint-free cloth until it comes away clean. Water may be used, but allow table to dry completely before beginning the refinishing process.

Refinishing Your Table

6

Stain your table with your chosen product. Read all directions and warnings prior to beginning work. Always test a small, inconspicuous area first to assure the color and look are desired. Labels on stains rarely match the true finish exactly, and wood hardness can affect absorption and resulting color. Apply stain with clean, lint-free rags and then wipe clean. Follow product directions for sit and drying times. Additional coats may be used to darken and deepen the stain. Note that some stains contain sealer and re-coating once dry will not be effective.

7

Apply polyurethane coating as product instructs. If using aerosol, ventilation of work area is critical for safety. Note all product warnings and act appropriately. If using a liquid polyurethane, use a high-quality brush to apply and clean brush afterward with paint thinner. Apply at least two coats, sanding lightly with 220 grit sandpaper and then cleaning thorughly between coats. Follow product directions for dry times.

8

After final coat of polyurethane has dried, reassemble table as needed. Use furniture polish for added shine and protection.