Get matched with top furniture refinishers in Richmond, KS

If your wood stain is still rubbing off after the recommended drying time, it means the pigments didn’t soak into the wood properly and remain on the surface. There are a few possible causes, including applying the stain in hot temperatures, applying too much stain, or failing to wipe off excess before it dries completely.

Chalk paint can be applied without sanding first. Keep in mind that while there are a lot of chalk paint color options available, there aren’t as many choices as latex or oil-based paint.

You can also learn how to paint furniture without sanding using a liquid deglosser, sometimes referred to as liquid sandpaper. This can remove any old paint, gloss, or varnish, without the need to manually sand. Apply the deglosser using a cloth, then wait for the chemical to penetrate through the surface. Once it soaks through, you should be able to wipe away the residue with a towel. 

For small, simple pieces that aren’t antiques, a professional furniture refinisher can usually refinish a piece in two to three hours, while larger pieces—like bed frames and full dining sets—could take several days. Your refinishing professional should be able to give you an estimated timeline for the work before getting started so that you can plan to be without your furniture during the process. Antique furniture might require additional time and take a week or more to refinish, as they require special care to avoid damage.

It is possible to refinish a table without stripping and sanding it by repairing small dents. You’ll use a gel stain, and then put on a wipe-on finish. The downside is this won't result in as smooth and as deep of a finish as if you had stripped the table. Also, any blemishes on your table will remain.