If you want to restore life to pieces that are too worn out or old-fashioned for your home's décor, refinishing furniture is a good way to do it.The same basic refinishing process can be used to give a piece you picked up at a garage sale a new look.Read on to find out how it was done.
Step 1: Pick the right piece.
Some furniture isn't a good candidate for refinishing.If you aren't careful, the refinishing process could devalue the piece, so it's best to have it done by a professional.Furniture made from sturdy wood is a good choice for refinishing.Furniture made with fine wood that could be easily damaged, particle board, or other non-sturdy wood won't do well during the refinishing process.There are no coats of paint on furniture.It may not be worth the time to take off layer after layer of paint.The furniture has flat faces.If this is your first time, avoid furniture with carvings or turned legs.
Step 2: There is a plan for refinishing.
If you want to make your dining room, front porch or kitchen the perfect piece of furniture, you need to take a look at the furniture you have chosen to paint.What will it take to repair the piece?You need a thinner finish stripper if it has an old varnish.What do you want your piece to look like?Do you want the wood to be exposed or will it be painted a new color?If you don't see what the wood looks like underneath the old paint or finish, you may not know the answer to this question.Go to furniture stores, browse online, and talk to experts for ideas on how to create the look you want.
Step 3: There are refinishing supplies available for purchase.
You will need protective equipment to get the job done now that you have a plan.If you're working indoors, you need a ventilator, goggles, gloves and an apron.Drop cloth can be used to protect your floor or yard.Paint stripper or finish stripper.Thick paint stripper is needed to remove paint from furniture.You just need a stripper that is thinner.The stripper should be applied with brushes and scraper tools.There is a power sanding machine and a finishing sander.You can choose the color of the wood stain.The stain will be sealed with a protective topcoat.
Step 4: Take the furniture's hardware out.
The furniture should be taken off the knobs, pulls, hinges, and other metal hardware.The chemicals used to strip the furniture could ruin these items.When it's time to put the hardware back on the furniture, place it in labeled bags so you know where to find it.If you want the hardware to match your piece, polish it.You could buy new hardware to make your furniture look better.
Step 5: Make a work area.
It's important to have aventilated work area because paint and finish stripping chemicals are very toxic.Pick from a garage, a work shed, or a spot outdoors.Don't put your work area in one of the main rooms.The basement is not well-ventilated.You need to remove the paint stripper, brushes, and scrapers from the large surface area by unfolding the drop cloth.If you are indoors, wear gloves, apron and goggles.
Step 6: The stripper needs to be applied.
Apply the paint stripper to the furniture by dipping the brush into it.If you are refinishing a large piece, you should strip the paint in sections.The stripper bonds with the paint as you apply it.
Step 7: The paint needs to be scrubbed away.
Use the steel wool and scrapers to remove the paint.The sheets should hold it off.The furniture should be given the same amount of care.The stripping process affects the look of the wood underneath, so you want to make sure each part gets the same treatment.If the furniture has more than one coat of paint, you may need to repeat the paint stripping process.
Step 8: Remove the old finish.
The finish underneath needs to be removed once the paint is gone.Sand it away using a piece of steel wool after applying the thinner finish-stripping solution.The furniture needs to be dry.If you scrub along the grain, the wood won't get damaged.If most of the old finish seems to have come off with the paint stripper, you still need to give the furniture a stripper rinse to make sure everything is gone.After rinsing the furniture with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits, let it dry.
Step 9: Take the piece and sand it.
To sand the furniture, use a sanding machine.To ensure an even finish, work in even strokes and spend the same amount of time on each part of the furniture.A finishing sander can be used to create a smooth surface.To remove the dust from the piece, wipe it with a cloth.
Step 10: It's a good idea to clean the furniture.
You can apply the wood stain with a brush.Since each brush of stain creates a darker hue, avoid overlap.The stain on the underside of the furniture is a good place to practice using the right stroke and pressure to create the color you want.Work with the grain so that the stain doesn't build up in the crevices and make them look darker than the rest of the furniture.Once the stain has soaked into the wood, follow the directions for wiping it off with a soft cloth.A darker stain will be created if the stain stays on the wood for more time.
Step 11: Apply the top coat.
Taking care to spread it evenly, use a brush to apply your chosen top coat to the furniture.Let it dry when you're done.Rub the top coat evenly into the furniture with an old cloth or t-shirt that is free of lint.Make sure you apply a very thin coat, a thicker coat could look murky.
Step 12: The furniture needs to be sanded.
After the furniture has dried, use a fine-grit sandpaper to sand it.All parts of the furniture should be sanded the same amount of time.Allow it to dry and then sand again.Continue until your furniture's finish is complete.
Step 13: You should replace the hardware.
The knobs, hinges, pulls and other hardware should be screwed back onto the piece of furniture.