Furniture refinishing is a great option when you can’t find the exact piece you’re looking for or when you score an awesome thrift store find. Read this how to guide for refinishing a table.
Recently, while doing one of my daily Pinterest hunts, I came across several images of gorgeous pedestal tables. Since then, I have been on the search for a nice round oak table for my dining room, that was at least 48′ in diameter. Since my dining room is small, I needed something that would look nice in the space, but not take up too much room. I checked a bunch of stores and online, but was not feeling any pricing that these tables were going for. I was on the hunt for something like this:
So, I figured instead purchasing a brand new one for $700+, I would check local thrift stores and Craigslist for the perfect one. Well, a few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one from good old Craigslist for $60! Have a look…
It had the perfect curves, perfect height, but was a horrible orangey oak color that I hated. But, I figured since it was a solid oak table, and I mean SOLID, that I would take a stab at furniture refinishing and stain it into a pretty rich espresso color. Here she is now!
I am so happy with how this project turned out, especially since this was my first time using stain and refinishing a table. If I did this, then you can too!
******
How To: Refinishing A Table
Supplies:
*This post contains affiliate links*
Using these products, I was able to get a flawless finish that I love so much! To stain my oak table, I used:
- Citristrip which is a paint and varnish stripper. Most wood furnishings have a finish over the top to protect the item scratches. This finish must be removed by a quality varnish and stain remover, and in my opinion this is best.
- A good quality paint brush that works well with paint and stain application
- Latex protective gloves,
- Varathane Stain + Poly (in-one) in Kona Semi-Gloss (oil based)
- Paint and varnish stripping tools
- 320-grit Extra Fine Sandpaper
- 180- grit Sandpaper
- Odorless Mineral Spirits
- Paper towels
- Cheap Paint Brush to apply the Citristrip (cheapest 2 inch brush is fine)
- Drop Cloth
- Dust Mask.
Steps To Refinishing A Table:
Putting on my dust mask (safety first), I applied the Citristrip on top of the table, and around the table base to remove the varnish. For those of you not familiar with varnish, it is a hard, glossy, protective finish used on wood. This protective coat needs to removed by the stripper in order to prepare the surface for the stain. This stripper should be applied by pouring a manageable amount of stripper into a small bowl, and using the cheap 2 inch paint brush to apply in long strokes, making sure to cover all spots.
Once the stripper was applied, I let mine set in overnight, however the instructions on the back of the container only call for an hour of set time.
When checking the table the next morning, the stripper dried the varnish and it was ready to be stripped.
Taking my stripping tool, I began scraping across the top of the table, and the base. I scraped…and scraped…oh…and scraped.
After I finished scraping, I swept off the varnish remnants with a broom. To be sure that all of the varnish is removed, I recommend shining light on the table along with running your hands across to check for any “slick” or shiny parts. Once I ensured its smoothness, it was time to remove the remaining stripper residue. I did this using Odorless Mineral Spirits and pouring it onto a scrubber. I used the back of this scrubbing sponge.
Since Mineral Spirits is a non-toxic paint stripper, and cleaner, it helped to prepare my surface for staining by removing all of the remaining stripper residue. I also used a few damp paper towels to ensure all of the residue was off, and I kept wiping until the paper towel was clean.
Next, it was time to sand. Using my palm sander, we sanded over the table and base, following along in the direction of the wood grain, making sure to sand all of the edges and grooves of the table.
*Sorry, I don’t have any pictures of us sanding the base, but we followed the same steps*
After we sanded, we wiped the oak table and base with several damp paper towels to remove sanding residue. To prepare to stain, we swept the floor to remove the sanding dust and any other particles from the floor.
******
Staining The Oak Table
After wiping down the table one final time, I began to stain. I applied the stain using a good quality 2 inch paint brush that was compatible with the use of oil paints or stains. The stain was applied using even strokes from top to bottom, still in the direction of the wood stain.
Once I covered the table completely with stain on the top and base, I let it dry for an hour, per the instructions on the stain can. Then I sanded the table lightly using 320-grit sandpaper, to prepare it for the second coat of stain to stick. Again, this should be done very lightly. Just enough to rough up the surface so that the stain has something to adhere to.
I then applied the second coat of stain. This photo gives a good side by side of the first and second coat, and the dimension that the second coat adds.
Left is with the second coat, right is the first coat
And here it is finished with the second coat. Since the stain already had polyurethane in it, there was not a need to add. So I was left with a beautiful, shiny “new” dining room oak table!
For some reason the base looks darker in the photo, but it has the same amount of coats as the top.
Here are a few more finished pics…
I am very happy with the finished product. All in all, staining and refinishing a table is actually pretty easy, it just requires quite a bit of prep work. Now I need some chairs, a rug (this one was a test from another room), a small buffet, and other accessories. Since we are fixing up this room and the kitchen at the same time, I vote to make my backsplash my next project, but knowing me, I might end up doing something else (scatter-brained). I hope to have some updates soon!
Have you ever stained or refinished any furniture? I plan to do more in the future. I would love to hear your experience. Thanks for stopping by!
SHOP THIS POST
Looks great, I have this table in the lovely orange oak (note the sarcasm) and have been thinking of painting it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ches! Yes! Dont you just love the rich orange color? I just say go for it. Im sure it will look great!
Nice job Erin!
Thanks Sarah!
Your table looks great. I am having a real issue on deciding on which stain color and stain type to use. There are so many variations. I have an oak table I plan to do. I was looking at the kona stain because my floors a a dark brown with lighter wood showing through as well as reddish tones. Similar to your table. After looking at a bunch of pictures of the kona stain on line in some photos it looks really dark similar to the base of your table. The top is what I am trying to achieve but I have been told to stay away from the poly stain unless I have experience. This will be my first project and I don’t want to screw it up. Did you use a conditioner? I have been reading that the stain is better received with a conditioner. Did you have problems with the poly gel? Botches etc… Does it have reddish and warm undertones like in the photo. Photos and screens can make things look different online. I just don’t want it to be too dark like your base because me flooring has a lot of undertones. Dark, lighter browns, some golden and reddish.
Lory @ a designers taleLove it! A lotta bang for the buck.
Thank you very much Lory. I have been stalking craigslist ever since!
This looks great. The dark stain is just gorgeous!
Thanks Tamsyn! I highly recommend this two in one stain.
Very nice! Great transformation. I like refinishing old furnitures because after doing it the feeling is so rewarding. – belfab.net
I love that painting in the background. Did you create it?
Thank you. My sister is a professional artist and sent me the picture as a Christmas gift last year. She is in a gallery and does commissioned work as well. Her website is danatoddpope.com.
Awesome ! Thank you
This looks great I have a similar table in my kitchen and like the dark color. can you post what you have for chairs?
Dining Room Furniture needs to be exclusive for your house. The dining room is an area where whole family sits together and share daily activities with good food. Thanks!
love this!
LOOKS GOOD, IN FACT I HAVE THE EXACT SAME TABLE, AND MY WIFE AND I ARE GOING TO TOTALLY REDUE OURS ALSO BUT WITH AND ANTIQUE OIL STAIN FINISH, IT'S GONNA LOOK BEAUTIFUL ONCE FINISHED. IF YOU DON'T MIND A LITTLE ADVICE I'VE ALWAYS HAD BETTER RESULTS USEING A PASTE WOOD FILLER BEFORE I STAIN, DO TO THE FACT THAT OAK (AMUNGST OTHERS)IS AN OPEN GRAIN WOOD
Thanks for posting this! I'm about to attempt the same thing on an oak poker table with the same hideous golden-orange stain. I might choose an opaque black or white rather than another stain, but I really appreciate your step by step, since the whole thing, especially the stripping, seems really intimidating to me. (But for $300 for the table and 8 chairs, how could I not??) One question: do you think the shine level on the finish is as good as a separate polyurethane would provide? Thanks!
wow ! gorgeous collection,Leather Button Beds
I'd purely tell you all “awesome information”furniture in york
Your blog has blessing effects on one's daily life…!!!Oak Bunk Beds
How wonderful design each content have..!!I like this..!!!Kids Car Beds
I just bought a solid oak table for 50 bucks and am so looking forward to staining it. I love the color of the stain that you chose. I will keep you updated on my project.
I just bought a solid wood table at Aunt Sally's aka The Salvation Army Store. I paid $50.00 and look forward to seeing it refinished. My problem: it's cold here (it's gonna snow again tomorrow night) and I don't have a heated garage. So, how much time/many days might it take to finish it before I'll be able to use it. Btw, love your table's transition.
Love love love. You made that table look brand new and expensive. I love a dark stained table.
Oh my goodness, this table is so cool! LOVE IT!Flush door Manufacturer in India, Veneer Manufacturer in India
Nice and Simply Superb Tables. Thanks for sharing. We also manufacturers of Home Furniture Manufacturers Home Furniture Manufacturers
I have some outdoor furniture that I need to stain but I've been pretty petrified of the process. Thanks for the tutorial, will use it to move myself forward.
Thanks for sharing this- nice stuff! Keep up the Excellent work, we look forward to reading more from you in the future!Cheap Furniture Hong Kong | Designer Furniture Hong Kong
I love this blog because it is user friendly with appreciative information.life insurance
Since then, I have been on the search for a nice round table for my dining room, that was at least 48' in diameter. Since my dining room is small, … rdiningtables.blogspot.com
You make a dining table look better, Good Job!
Can you share how the finish on the table has held up over the past couple of years?
Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging. Fabfurnish Coupon
after seeing this blog I can create my own Antique Dining Table, thanks and success to you 🙂
Modern Dining Table This is a very simple, very unique and very nice 🙂
Lovely, Great,, Awesome. I like the table a lot.Good WishesSingapore Furniture Shop
its a great modern dining table, AWESOME!!
I love this! Thank you so much for sharing! For ant thing more and to get modern bedroom suites,Kindly knock me to my website: Modern Bedroom Suites
That's great information. Thanks for sharing this blog. I did a search and found your blog and glowing review. It's been a big help! Thanx! toolsadvisors
Great job. Thank you for the great post,It is really a big help.thanks for sharing nice blog. cuddlyhomeadvisors
Just saying thanks wouldn’t just be enough, for the fantastic fluency in your way of explaining the wood works. http://tooladvisors.net/know-best-sump-pumps/
That is very fascinating, You're an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in the hunt for extra of your magnificent post. Additionally, I've shared your site in my social networksmarine antiques
Wonderful and nice!I am a woodworker, so i love the wooden product, especially, there are DIY projects. The house is really splendid with this DIY. Thanks your post!
Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts. street fashion photography documentary
Nice color. This blog post is really great; the quality information of this post is genuinely incredible. simmons recliners
You did a great job on this woodwork project – I also love the deep brown color you stained this with. I thought it looked elegant and classy!
I actually found this blog and that is amazing thing I enjoy reading this easy to understand stuff. Keep it up. I’m soooo happy through your blog posts, and waiting for the upcoming posts. read this article
Thanks, Erin. This really helped us to choose the finish for our "new" $50 oak table.
Oh wow; excellent job! And it’s such a financially smart idea. I have almost the exact same table, and I’m in the process of refinishing it in satin black to match new gray upholstered chairs with black legs. It was a red mahogany color with scratches that revealed the untreated oak, resulting in a major eyesore. Im only halfway through painting it and the chairs haven’t come in yet, but so far, it looks awesome and I’m super excited.