I am refinishing a coffee table, how do you put a finish on wood?

Answer 1

What do you want it to look like when it's done? Is it a family heirloom, is it valuable, is it an antique?

If it's in bad shape and you want to restore it to its former glory, you'll have to strip it all the way back to bare wood, sand it down, and then re-stain it, and top that with a sealer. If you aren't experienced with stripping and staining, and the table is important, you should probably have it done by a professional.

However, if you just want to change the look of the table, the easiest thing is to run a sander over it lightly (just to take off any shiny finish that might be on there, and rough it up a bit), and then paint it. This is a great way to give a new look to any piece of wood furniture. After the paint is dry, give it at least 2 coats of polyurethane (gloss, satin, or matte finish, whichever you like). Good Luck!

Answer 2

If you are stripping it to bare wood, then you treat it like bare wood. If you are not going quite that far.
Without going into details of various finishes, you
1) LIghtly sand the wood after all repairs are done so you have a smooth, slightly dull surface.
2) Go over the surface with a tack rag (purchased usually, slightly tacky) to remove all the dust and little bits.
3) Put the table some place where it can sit for several days and not make a mess and not get dust on it.
4) Thoroughly stir your finish and using a clean brush, lay down an even finish, overlapping strokes only a little. Clean brush carefully after job.
5) Let dry thoroughly following directions on can for applying second, etc., coats.
6) Lightly sand with very fine sand paper or steel wool, looking for dust bits and bubbles to remove with a blade tip.
7) Repaint with thinned finish for thinner coat(s).
8) If using a clear finish and it is appropriate to the finish, rub the finish in with very fine steel wool or a cloth pad, either soaked with finish, to produce a high gloss finish.
9) If appropriate, wax.

Answer 3

What is wrong with a wood accent piece? If it looks good, consider it eclectic styling. To get paint to stick, you would have to strip off the varnish that is on the table now. You can buy a liquid stripper at a paint store. Then sand the surfaces smooth with fine sandpaper. Then paint the table with a dark colored oil base primer. Then sand again with fine paper. Then paint with black oil base enamel. Sand again, paint again. Or you can go to Ikea and get a black table for the cost of the supplies you would otherwise need.

Answer 4

Strip off the old finish with either a chemical stripper, or sand paper. Then apply a stain. Last, you apply a clear coat finish. Go to The Home Depot for advice, and books to lead you. )Or better yet, go to Lowes.)

Answer 5

First you need to prepare the surface and then fix any structural problems while you have the opportunity. Then you can finish it in a variety of ways. This link will walk you through it...

Answer 6

apaint brush to put it on and after afew min wipe excess with rag