HOW TO REFINISH  A DINING ROOM TABLE THE RIGHT WAY!

Does your dining room or kitchen table need an update? Today I’m sharing everything you need to know to refinish your old, run-down wood table and make it beautiful again.

MATERIALS FOR STRIPPING THE TABLE

– KleanStrip Stripper – KleanStrip Paint Stripper After Wash  – chip brush  – metal container  – stripping brush – plastic paint scraper – stripping pads  – protective gloves and face mask  – sanding block & extra sandpaper

MATERIALS FOR PAINTING THE LEGS

– Zinsser Bullseye Clear Shellac  – General Finishes Snow White Milk Paint  – paintbrush – HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer  – Large Homeright spray shelter

MATERIALS FOR STAINING THE TABLE TOP

– Minwax prestain wood conditioner  – Minwax Penetrating stain  – clean rags  – Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane, Satin  – foam brush  – 400 grit sandpaper

HOW TO REFINISH A TABLE

The first step is stripping the old finish from the table. You can either sand the table or use a chemical stripper. I prefer to use a stripper as it leaves a perfectly smooth wood surface in the end. 

STRIPPING THE OLD FINISH

Since it is full of pretty strong chemicals it's best to work outside and wear gloves to protect your skin as well as a face mask. Pour some stripper into a metal container and use a cheap chip brush to brush a layer of stripper onto your table top working in sections. It works fast. Wait around ten minutes then test a small area to see if it is ready to scrape.

TIME TO SCRAPE

Use a plastic paint scraper to scrape away the old finish. This part is messy. Keep paper towels nearby and have an old box to scrape the mess into. If the finish feels sticky or resists as you scrape, it isn’t ready yet. Use a wire brush to scrape the finish from the table edge. If there is still varnish left, you may need to repeat the process.

APPLY PAINT STRIPPER AFTER WASH

Use a stripping pad to apply After Wash to a small section, scrubbing it into the wood in small circles. Then use a second stripping pad dampened with water, to help rinse away the remaining residue. Finally use a rag to wipe away any remaining water and gunk. Let dry.

PRIMING THE TABLE LEGS FOR PAINT

The first step to painting a piece of furniture is always cleaning. Once clean, I used painter’s tape and some extra thick wrapping paper to cover the freshly stripped tabletop. I primed the legs with spray on Zinsser Bullseye Clear Shellac. I applied two coats of sealer and let it dry.

PAINTING THE TABLE LEGS

I applied two coats of sealer and once it was dry painted it with 2 coats of General Finishes Milk Paint in Snow White using my HomeRight Super Finish Max Paint Sprayer. You can also use a paintbrush it will just take more time.

STAINING THE TABLETOP

Before staining, I used a clean rag to apply Minwax pre-stain conditioner. Wipe off any excess and allow it to dry about 15 minutes. Then use a clean rag to apply the stain. Wipe it on in long, even strokes and be sure to keep a wet edge. Wipe off any excess stain and allow it to fully dry per the instructions on the can. Apply a 2nd coat if desired.

SEALING THE TABLETOP

When refinishing a table, it is essential to seal your finish well. I applied three coats of sealer to this tabletop using a foam brush, sanding with 400 grit sandpaper between coats to help smooth out the brushmarks.

Check out this beauty now!

Get the full step-by-step tutorial here.

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