Have you been wanting to refinish your dining table? Whether it’s five years old or fifty, the process is the same. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to refinish a dining table and a list of the few supplies you’ll need for the job.
Supplies List
For a list of furniture refinishing supplies I use on a regular basis, visit my Amazon shop HERE. Here’s the list of supplies used specifically used on dining tables:
- Solid wood dining table
- Respirator mask and cartridges
- Protective goggles
- Craftsman rotary sander
- Sanding discs 60-grit
- Paint: Acrylic enamel paint
- Primer: if using a latex paint
- Water-based stain
- Oil-based stain
- Water-based topcoat: Minwax Polycrylic or BM Stays Clear topcoat (satin)
- Oil-based topcoat: Wipe-on Polyurethane or brush-on Polyurethane
- Purdy Clearcut 1.5-in brush
- Cotton rags (aka t-shirt)
Step 1: Sand
Place the table outside and with a rotary sander and 60-grit sanding discs, sand off the old finish and smooth out any scratches. If the original finish is really thick (high gloss), some people prefer to use furniture stripper. I prefer the sanding method.
Step 2: Paint the Base
Brush on paint. My preference for table bases is an acrylic enamel. An oil-base paint will work well too. If you use a latex paint, be sure first brush on a primer which will help the paint adhere to the wood.
The sheen you use is a matter of preference. Just keep in mind that the higher the sheen the greater the durability. Also, a semi-gloss or gloss sheen will make it easier to remove dust.
Step 3: Stain the Top
Using a folded clean, cotton, white rag, apply the stain to the table top. Dip the rag into the stain and apply to the table. Work in the direction of the grain. Spread the stain and wipe away any excess with the same rag. Allow to dry between coats. Apply 3-4 coats or until an adequate amount of coverage is achieved.
This gray-stained top has a gray water-based stain. For a white-washed look, also used water-based, white-wash pickling stain. For a wood stain look, use an oil-based stain.
Step 4: Apply a Protective Topcoat
If you applied a water-base stain, then brush on a water-based topcoat (polycrylic or water-based polyurethane). The water-based topcoat will also not change the color of your white or gray-stained top like an oil-based product will. Apply 2-3 coats, allow to dry between coats. Tip: Do not work the clearcoat as much as you would paint. It begins to dry very quickly so only brush across the clear 2-3 times maximum.
If you used an oil-based wood stain, apply an oil-based polyurethane as a protective topcoat. A brushed on poly will require only 1-2 coats. If you use a wipe-on poly, apply 3-7 coats with a folded, cotton rag.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products I use myself.
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