Pull Up a Chair: How to Refinish a Table Like the Pros

It may seem odd to wipe down a table before removing its finish, but do not skip this step. Dirt and debris can get in the way of the sanding process and even damage the natural wood. 

Use a clean cloth or paper towels and wipe down each section of the table—legs and all—with a wood-safe all-purpose cleaner.

Before you break open the can of varnish stripper, read the instructions on the container for safety and use tips. Paint and varnish stripper instructions will slightly vary brand by brand, specifically regarding how long you should leave on each layer. 

This step is also the time to pop on those goggles, gloves, and a mask. We also recommend a long-sleeved shirt, full-length pants, and closed-toed shoes.

Use a paintbrush to generously apply the first layer of the stripper. Most varieties recommend leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes, but keep an eye on the coat. It can be difficult to wipe off if it dries too much, so the length of time may depend on your project.

Here's the fun part. Once you've waited the appropriate amount of time, push a plastic scraper or putty knife along the grain of the wood to remove the varnish beneath. Be careful with metal scrapers, as they can scratch the wood underneath.

You may not be able to remove all the varnish in your first pass. After delicately removing as much of the wood table stain as possible, apply another layer of stripper and repeat the process until you can see the bare wood grain beneath.

While some furniture renovators choose to skip this step, you can remove the remaining residue of stripper and varnish with mineral spirits. After your table is dry from the varnish-removal stage, apply a thin layer of mineral spirits with a clean cloth and wipe in the direction of the wood grain.

Yet again, allow the table to fully dry before moving to the sanding phase.

Begin by sanding the full surface of your wood table with coarse-grit sandpaper in the 60 to 100 range. Whether you sand by hand or with a belt sander, move in the direction of the wood grain and be careful not to cut into the wood with the edge of the sander. Move to finer and finer-grit sandpaper with each pass—up to 160 and eventually to 320, for example.

Curved and carved areas of the table can be trickier to sand, so break out the grade #000 steel wool for these areas.

Go over each surface with a tack cloth to remove the dust and sand from the process.

You have your pick of stain types and colors, but remember that the stain will absorb into the wood quickly since it's been stripped and sanded. The trick here is to apply an even coat that dries just as evenly. 

Apply the stain with a paintbrush in the direction of the grain, and then wipe any excess with a cotton cheesecloth after it's had a few seconds to set in. Cotton will do a better job at absorbing the liquid. Above all, follow the specific instructions on the side of your stain can.

In most cases, you'll need to apply at least two coats of stain to get a smooth, rich color. Begin by letting the first coat fully dry—this will typically take overnight, if not 24 hours. Afterward, lightly sand the surface by hand with a fine-grit sandpaper. Add a second stain to the sanded surface and let it fully dry.

Refinishing a dining or kitchen table is best to keep in the stain and protect the wood from knicks and scratches. After all, the finish of such a high-use surface is more susceptible to bumps from plates, cups, and late-night homework sessions. 

Apply a clear polyurethane, tung oil, or wax coat of finish according to the can's instructions. For extra protection, apply two coats, waiting for it to dry and sanding in between steps.