How to Refinish End Tables

Tired of your ugly end table? If it is solid and well-designed, all it may need is a face lift. You can finish the job yourself at home, turning your end table into a fresh-faced work of art. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Instructions

1

Detach any drawers from your end table. You will have to work with each piece of your end table separately until the process is complete.

2

Obtain a chemical stripper labeled as requiring "no cleanup," or that can be easily washed away with water. While some strippers come in liquid form, others are gels or pastes. Since you will be working with both horizontal and vertical surfaces of an end table, avoid liquid forms that will run off the sides and legs.

3

Read the instructions that come from the manufacturer of the chemical stripper.

4

Spread a coat of stripper to a small area of your end table. Wait for the time advised in the manufacturer's instructions while the stripper does its work.

5

Using a round-edged putty knife, remove the old finish. In places where the finish refuses to come off, use steel wool soaked in the stripper. In certain areas, multiple applications of stripper may be required. Repeat this and the previous step until you have coated and removed the stripper over all desired surfaces of your end table.

6

Clean the remaining stripper from the surfaces of your end table with water or turpentine and wait for the wood to dry.

7

Lightly sand the end table where needed. The appearance of your new finish will largely rely on how well you sand. Be sure not to leave any rough patches or defects, and sand in the direction of the wood grain. Mistakes may be accentuated after the final finish.

8

If your table is made of oak or mahogany, you will need to work grain filler into the grain. Since grain filler is a pigmented paste, choose a color that goes along with your planned design. This will depend on the color of the wood, the color you wish to stain it and the degree to which you'd like the wood grain emphasized. Apply the paste filler and press it into the grain along your end table surfaces.

9

Allow the filler to dry before using your putty knife to remove excess. Sand lightly once again along the grain line.

10

Apply a sanding sealer to all surfaces and allow it to dry before lightly sanding once again. This will act as a primer for the wood, preventing it from absorbing too much of your stain.

11

Apply your chosen stain evenly to the wood with a brush or rag, and allow it to penetrate the wood as long as desired: the longer you leave it, the darker the color. Wipe off excess stain with a rag and leave the wood to dry. Repeat this step if you would like your wood darker.

12

Using either polyurethane, water-based polyurethane, or lacquer, apply your finish. You may need to apply several coats and even lightly sand between applications. Allow your end table to dry.