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How to Finish a Table

Step 1

How to Finish a Table

Strip old finish

After removing the finish from a table or other piece of furniture, sand and clean it with mineral spirits or a wash to remove the paint.

Mineral spirits will remove dirt, grease, and fingerprints and help reveal blemishes in the wood. Do not put metal on wood while cleaning it; It could react with the chemicals in the wood and cause discoloration.

Step 2

How to Finish a Table How to Finish a Table

Furniture stain

When the mineral spirits dry, start staining the furniture. Use fine grade steel wool to brush the stain into the wood. Brush the stain in a zigzag pattern to avoid brush marks that show where the stain was applied.

Step 3

Polish the stain

Wipe the stain off the wood within a minute or two after applying it so the stain penetrates evenly. A helper following with a buffing rag as you apply the stain can be helpful. If you stain the table legs, clean the stain immediately after applying it; The legs can absorb the stain very quickly.

Stage 4

Finish the furniture

Let the stain dry for 24 hours before applying a finish. There are a variety of different finishes, including polyurethane and tung oil. Rub the finish into the grain of the wood and allow it to dry properly between coats.