Refinishing wood tables?

Question

I have two wood night stands that I want to refinish. There are some details on the tables that I'm a little worried will be difficult to strip and/or sand....I have never done anything like this so could someone tell me easily step by step the process of stripping and then staining wood? Steps and details from start to finish please! Thanks so much!

Also I know there are different grains of sandpaper, is one any better than the other or does it not matter which one you use for refinishing purposes?

I meant different grits of sandpaper....

Answer 1

maybe this will help. i have done so many old pieces . this may help answer some of your questions.

Answer 2

I refinished an old bed that had a bunch of friggly little bits and nooks and crannies on the posts. I used a small steel wool and an orange stick to get them cleaned out.

You need to be careful not to push/rub too hard after you have the stripper on the wood as it makes the wood a bit soft and you could damage it.

Depending on the finish on the piece now, you may need to do more than one coat of stripper. I did 6 on some windows once...

Use a good heavy-duty pair of rubber gloves (bluettes are nice) to protect your hands.

Answer 3

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot in the paint department. There is a gel stripper l that is thick and you spread it on. This might work for what your talking about.

1. Make sure you protect your floor under your work.

2. Follow the directions of the stripper you buy.
They all generally have very good instructions.
Generally refinishing doesn't require sanding.

3. Make sure you have plenty of cotton rags on hand (old T shirts work quite well) Once the stripper has been on the prescribed amount of time (test a small area to see if it is finished)

4.Have a trash can near by, wipe the worst off with paper towels. Then wipe down with the rags. The stripper may suggest wet wiping the
item to get the chemicals off.

5. BE SURE TO USE RUBBER GLOVES FOR THIS WHOLE PROJECT.

6.Rub it down with dry cloths until every nook and cranny is clean.

7.Read your instructions thoroughly on the stain you buy. Once again follow the instructions thoroughly. Paint on one coat allow to stain to the color you want. Check a little spot. Then wipe off.

8.After the wood stain is dry very lightly sand the surface to take off any roughness. Then wipe down with a tack cloth. This takes off the dustiness so it won't get in the finish. Once you have wiped it totally clean. Read your top coat instructions and paint on smoothly with your clean brush. You may want to do 2 coats. Let the first one dry then lightly sand, wipe with the tack cloth again and paint on the next coat.

You will need RUBBER GLOVES, STRIPPER, PAINT BRUSHES, STAIN, TACK CLOTH, 2 SHEETS FINE SAND PAPER. RAGS, POLYURITHANE (or the finish you decide on) BRUSH CLEANER.

Good Luck on your Refinishing!!

Answer 4

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Answer 5

If there is nothing major to sand out I would just use steel wool to smooth it out after you strip.

Answer 6

Go with Sam's answer. Let the Gel do the work for you.