How to Refinish Kitchen Tabletops

Years of use can leave a wooden table top with nicks, scratches and a worn finish. Wooden tables, especially those made of solid wood, can last generations if cared for and finished correctly. Old finishes don't supply the same level of protection that modern polyurethanes do. While antiques that have not been refinished are worth more than their refinished counterparts if the original finish is in good condition, often refinishing is necessary to maintain the beauty and functionality of a table.

Instructions

1

Remove the tabletop from the table. It is usually held on with screws or bolts. Remove these with a screwdriver or wrench and lift the tabletop off.

2

Place the tabletop on a work surface (sawhorses or workbench) in a well-ventilated area where sawdust won't be a problem.

3

Paint paste finish remover over the surface of the table, using a brush. Depending on the size of the table and the amount of time you have to work on the project, you may want to work on a section at a time. Let the finish remover sit for the length of time recommended on the container, usually 10 to 15 minutes.

4

Scrape off the finish that has bubbled with a putty knife. Clean the putty knife into the newspaper-lined box.

5

Brush on the liquid stripper. Let it sit for the amount of time recommended on the container.

6

Rub the surface with medium-fine steel wool, rinsing the steel wool in the liquid stripper to keep the surface clean.

7

Pour some lacquer thinner into a small container and dip medium-fine steel wool into it. Rub with the grain to remove the residue left by the strippers. Rinse the steel wool frequently and replace if it gets saturated with stripper.

8

Smooth the surface of the table, using a finishing sander with 220-grit sandpaper. If the table has a veneer on it, sand it lightly to avoid sanding through the veneer.

9

Clean the sander dust from the table, using a rag.

10

Apply the stain of your choice, which matches the rest of the table, using a paintbrush. Rub off any excess with a rag. Let the table sit for 24 hours and absorb the stain.

11

Brush on a clear polyurethane finish, using a good-quality natural-bristle brush to avoid getting bristles in the finish.

12

Sand lightly with very fine sandpaper once the finish has dried. Clean the surface of sanding dust.

13

Apply two more coats of the finish, allowing it to dry completely, sanding and cleaning between coats.