How do I repaint a beech desk to a lighter tone like birch veneer?

Question

I bought this desk: http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/meritline_1912_195707905
however my furniture in my room is this color: http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/25444_PE110293_S4.jpg

so before I assemble this desk, I am wondering what supplies I need to buy from home depot so i can refinish this desk and make it match. Thanks!

Answer 1

I love that desk! It will not be easy to re-finish it, but I'd suggest going back to Home Depot to get a stain stripper, as well as the color you want to switch to. Then re-stain to the color you want.
If you have the time, I'd like to see the finished product, if you can take a picture of it and submit it.

Answer 2

This is an easy one. Before putting it together, lightly sand all the wood looking parts. Use fine grained sand paper and make sure you wipe off all the dust before you go any further. Once that is done, make a wash using 1 part white latex paint for 3 parts water. White wash the surface with a soft rag that has been soaked in the mixture and then rung out, making sure you follow the wood grain. You can continue to white wash the surface until you have reached the effect you want. Don't forget to seal it all once you have attained the color you like. Use a water-based sealer and I suggest using a sponge brush so as to avoid seeing the brush strokes.

Answer 3

It looks like the desk is just made of pressboard with a veneer. You will not be able to refinish if that is the case.

If it is in fact solid wood, you will need to get a chemical finish remover, a bleaching agent, new stain, and a finish.

Answer 4

get some sanding paper(like medium grit, for wood or bare surfaces) and sand all of the surface that you are refinishing and then when that is done wipe the whole thing down with a tack cloth and apply your stain or paint , let it dry, use a fine grit sandpaper (for between coats) and sand it again,wipe down with a tack cloth again, then apply another coat of paint or stain , then put on your polyurethane (do about 3 coats, inbetween coats sand and use tack cloth then let dry for 24 hours and wallah! your finished.