How do I start refinishing furniture?

1. Clean. Any refinishing furniture DIY starts with basic cleaning.
2. Examine. Take an overall assessment of the piece and determine if it needs any repairs.
3. Remove the Old Finish.
4. Sanding.
5. Chemical Stripper.
6. Seal the Wood.
7. Stain or Paint.
8. Apply Finish.

Is it better to sand or strip furniture?

Stripping a finish is faster than sanding to remove it. But more importantly, sanding cuts through stain and patina (the color changes in wood caused by light and oxidation), and it does so unevenly. …

Is it expensive to have furniture refinished?

Furniture Refinishing Costs The average homeowner pays $597 or between $330 and $877 to refinish a piece of furniture. Depending on the type of item and its condition, that price can be as low as $100 or over $1,000. Some projects for large objects like a dresser in poor condition can even go up to $2,000.

How do you refinish a table top without stripping it?

The key to re-staining a wood dining table top without having to strip off the original factory finish is to create a soft, faux wood grain appearance with gel stain. Followed by several coats of a durable clear sealer. It’s actually not that hard to do.

Do you have to remove old stain before restaining?

You don’t need to remove all of the old stain to apply darker stain. But you do need to remove all of the lacquer, varnish or anything that will prevent new stain from absorbing into the wood. Your sanding block will initially glide over the old lacquer before it begins to cut into it and remove it.

Do I need to strip furniture before staining?

When you have determined that you do need to strip a piece, always remove all the old finish or paint thoroughly. Leaving spots will yield an uneven surface when you finally start finishing it. Apply enough stripper to keep the surface wet, and never work in direct sunlight as you can dry the wood.

How long after stripping Can I sand?

Wait about 30 minutes and test a small area to determine if the finish has loosened. If not, wait longer, even several hours if needed. You may need to reapply a coat if the stripper dries out before the finish has softened.

Is it worth it to refinish furniture?

Trying to refinish centuries-old furniture, without using a professional, can damage the furniture and lessen its value. The only exception to this rule is if the item has more personal value to you than what it is worth. However, wood furniture made between 1850 and 1960 are actually ideal candidates for refinishing.

How do you strip and refinish furniture?

How to Strip & Refinish Wood Furniture

1. Step 1: Choose a Work Area. Work in a well-ventilated area such as your open garage or on an outdoor deck or patio.
2. Step 2: Strip Away Old Finish.
3. Step 3: Sand It.
4. Step 4: Apply Sanding Sealer.
5. Step 5: Stain It.
6. Step 6: Apply Sealant.

How can I darken furniture without stripping it?

1. Step 1: Lightly Hand Sand. Using a light grit sanding block, lightly hand sand the entire surface of the wood piece that you would like to darken.
2. Step 2: Clean Wood. Clean your entire piece thoroughly using a mild cleanser.
3. Step 3: Apply Dark Gel Stain. Apply the gel stain using a chip brush.
4. Step 4: Seal. What is this?

How do you refurbish furniture?

Pull the fabric over the front of the chair and tack it into place. Then stretch the fabric to the back and tack it under the chair. Repeat the process on the two sides. Fold the front fabric on the corners to form a mitred square; fold the front fabric to form a 45 degree angle.

What is the easiest way to strip furniture?

How to Strip Furniture Easily in 10 Steps Step 1: Get the Right Tools Step 2: Find the Perfect Spot Step 3: Prep Your Furniture Step 4: Fill a Tin Bucket with Citristrip. Step 5: Apply the Stripper. Step 6: Scrape Off the Old Paint, Varnish, or Stain. Step 7: Get Into the Tiny Grooves Step 8: Apply a Second Coat of Stripper.

What is the best wood stain for furniture?

Sikkens® is one brand of wood stain that is highly recommended by experts all over the Internet. This is probably the best wood stain to use for decks, fences, and other outdoor furniture. When it comes to oak, mahogany and pine, the best choice may be penetrating oil stains.

How do I restain wood?

Seal the wood object by applying a sealant, such as lacquer or polyurethane, with short, even brush strokes. Wait for the first layer of sealant to dry, and then apply a second.