1. Consider Staining it Lighter
Picture refinishing, and you might be picturing a deep, oaky shine. But refinishing wood furniture doesn’t have to mean dunking it in a cherry dark stain! Light, sand-colored stains can modernize old desks and dining room tables.
It can take a little longer to stain it lighter. When you stain wood darker, you don’t always have to strip it first. If you choose to stain it light, you definitely need to strip off the old finish before applying the new stuff. Follow the chemical stripping instructions carefully.
2. Reach for Paint
Refinishing doesn’t just mean restoring wood to its original color! Be bold. Strip or sand down your coffee table’s current finish then paint with a sharp color. White and lighter pastels often work great as a base coat for wooden furniture.
Paint is also a great way to improve the look of less expensive wood furniture. As you strip it, you may find that the wood beneath the finish is cheap and ugly. If so, consider painting! After you paint, you’ll still need to apply a finish coat.
3. Test for Wipe-On Finish
Sometimes refinishing wood furniture requires that you completely strip the old finish and apply a new one. Sometimes the finish just needs an update to look brand new.
If you’re wondering what level of refinishing your furniture needs, pour a bit of sparkling water over the top (plain mineral spirits). It’ll show you what your furniture will look like with a wipe-on finish, no stripping required. If you like how it looks, you just saved yourself a step—invest in a wipe on finish and clean up the furniture.
Whatever kind of stain you reach for, use a good pair of latex gloves to protect your hands.