One of the fastest ways to take your worn, faded wood furniture from looking dull to chic is to strip off the old stain and finish, and add a new, glossy and revitalized coat. And, this is something you can do yourself: In the world of furniture restoration, stripping wood is one of the few things that professionals are confident that most regular people can master.
While you probably won’t achieve the appearance for your furniture that a specialist like Danny Walker could, the process will definitely create a new and improved look. As owner of the Grass Valley, California branch of Furniture Medic, a popular furniture repair and restoration company, Walker takes us through the steps of stripping and refinishing your wood furniture.
- Before you begin, make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area as some chemicals may become bothersome if breathed in for too long.
- There are two ways to remove the old finish from your furniture. The first is to use a power sander and sandpaper. But, Walker warns that this is a bit difficult and time-consuming. The second option is to buy a wood stripper sold at local hardware stores. Ask the store’s sales associate which one would work best for your project.
- Apply the wood stripper to the furniture and let it soak in. This usually takes about 15 minutes, or until the surface bubbles.
- Then, follow the basic directions supplied by the manufacturer for removal. Usually it will tell you to use alcohol to remove the stain, or to get a putty knife and scrape away the old finish. If you are using the latter option, be advised that the wood will have become softer because of the chemical, so be careful not to damage the wood underneath the finish.
- After all the old finish has been removed, use sandpaper until you see the grain of the wood pop out uniformly throughout the piece. Walker suggests using 220- to 240-grit sandpaper.
- Next, stain the wood close to the original color.
- Finally, rub on a new finish using a paint brush or a clean, soft washcloth.
- The finish should only take 20 to 30 minutes to dry, but Walker recommends not using the table for two days so that the wood can fully cure.
It doesn’t take much to give wood a face lift. And the finished product is your “new” piece of furniture that you will be proud to present when family and friends come to visit. If you find that your furniture needs more work than you anticipated, call your local Furniture Medic or a furniture restoration service in your area.
