How to Strip and Refinish a Hardwood Coffee Table
Refinishing a hardwood coffee table can bring out its natural beauty and give it a new life. Used hardwood furniture may be covered in years of paint, wash, or varnish, causing it to look dull and aged. This can easily be fixed by stripping the old coating and applying a new top coat! Here’s how:
Step 1: Preparing the Surface
- Remove any furniture knobs and set aside.
- Remove the old finish with a chemical-based stripper or a router/electric sander.
- Sand the tabletop and legs with medium to fine grit sandpaper until smooth.
- Vacuum up any dust and use a tack cloth to remove any remaining particles.
Step 2: Applying the Stain
- Choose a stain that matches the existing wood.
- Apply the stain evenly using a brush or rag.
- Wait 15-20 minutes for the stain to dry.
- Wipe off any excess stain with a clean cloth.
Step 3: Applying the Top Coat
- Choose a top coat: polyurethane, varnish, or shellac.
- Apply the polyurethane in long strokes in the same direction with a brush.
- Allow the polyurethane to dry for six to eight hours.
- Sand the top with a fine grit sandpaper, then vacuum away the dust.
- Repeat the process of applying polyurethane, drying and sanding until desired results are achieved.
Step 4: Finishing Touches and Reattaching Furniture Knobs
- Polish the wood with a wood wax or mineral oil.
- Place the furniture knobs back into place.
- Enjoy the transformation your hardwood coffee table has made!
Stripping and refinishing a hardwood coffee table is an easy way to bring life to a previously dull, worn piece of furniture. Follow the steps above to complete your own hardwood coffee table renovation and give it a new lease of life!
