How to Refinish Table Tops

Refinishing furniture can be a difficult endeavor because of varying surfaces, nooks and crannies, and the changing directions of grain. A relatively simple first project for refinishing is the table top. Dining table tops endure wear and tear and often show age long before table legs do. Table tops can be restored in a reasonable amount of time with equal the effort. Refinishing requires a well ventilated work area, safety precautions, appropriate tools and careful attention to the step by step process.

Instructions

1

Prepare the work area with a drop cloth to protect the floor. Set up in a well ventilate area with the tools and supplies you'll need at the ready. Work in a well ventilated area.

2

Wash the table surface with a mild soap and water, avoid saturation, rinse the surface with clear water and dry thoroughly with a lint free cloth. If the wood is too wet the grain will rise. This affects the results throughout the process. If the table gets too wet, allow it to dry completely before proceeding. Wearing rubber gloves, use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to wipe the table down.

3

Wearing rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a mask, apply the paste stripper to the table top with a disposable brush. Pouring the product into a small wide mouthed metal container will make it easier to control. Paint the paste onto the table top in the direction of the grain, working in small areas. Allow the stripper to sit on the table top. After a while, the finish will begin to bubble and release from the table top. This is when to begin scrapping using a wide blade putty knife. It is suggested that you use a metal file to round the corners of the knife thereby avoiding gauging the wood. Continue to work in the direction of the grain, holding the knife at a low angle and applying pressure as you scrape the finish off in long sweeping motions. Scrape debris off of the blade using an empty cardboard shoe box and continue until the table top is stripped. Next, a coat of liquid stripper, painted on, will remove the remaining finish. Scour away the last debris using steel wool, working with the direction of grain. Pay attention to table edges using the steel wool to smooth them and to remove any leftover finish.

4

Wipe down the table surface with a fine steel wool and lacquer thinner to remove residual waxes deposited from the strippers. Fill any dings, cracks, or gouges with wood filler and allow the table top to dry completely.

5

Sand the surface with a sanding block. Begin with a lower grit paper if the table top is uneven. Avoid sanding heartily and sand in long strokes in the direction of the grain, switch to a finer grit (220) sand paper and then to 400 grit to prepare the smoothest surface for refinishing.

6

Wipe the table top down with tack cloth prior to applying any finish coats. This will remove any remaining debris or sawdust.

7

Apply the finish in one of two ways; either paint on a stain color of your choice followed by a coat of polyurethane to seal. Or use one of the new poly-shade products which are polyurethane premixed with stain. If staining separately, spread the chosen color onto the table surface and wipe off with a cotton rag, reapply if a darker finish is desired. Again, apply stain in the direction of the grain. Allow 24 hours for each coat of stain to dry. When the table top is dry, apply a sealing finish coat of polyurethane. For this step use a natural bristle brush to achieve the best finish. Also use a natural bristle when applying a poly-shade finish to the table top. To achieve an extremely durable finish, the finished top coat can be lightly sanded with a fine grade sand paper and coated with clear polyurethane. This step can be repeated several times until desired finish is achieved.