I have been refinishing tables ever since I first started re-doing furniture 4 years ago. I’ve done dozens of tables for clients and to sell, and really have figured out the best way to do it. Since, I refinished my own dining about that long ago and it was starting to show to wear (kids made some scratches with forks), I figured now would be a good time to show you how to refinish a dining table. This is the best method to not sand too far into the wood (which is important since most dining tables are made with wood veneer).
Here you can see some of the marks and scratches. I also was ready to part with the dark walnut stain. The rest of my kitchen has lighter finished counters and I have been wanting to lighten this table up for awhile. Time to strip and refinish!
I love how much warmer it is and the visible wood grain now. It adds some pretty texture in my opinion.
I used a new-to-me stain, Minwax Weathered Oak. It is mostly a natural light wood color with some gray hints. It’s quite pretty.
I put together this little arrangement, because what good would be a table makeover without some fresh flowers?! None, I tell ya! These were all found at Trader Joe’s.
So what do you think?
GO HERE to see the full tutorial on eHow!
Looks amazing. you did a great job!!
Love the stain you chose. I’ll have to try that one. I also love that pop of blue the secretary beside your table brings to life !
Beautiful! Thank you the the tutorial; very informative! I have never tried the wipe on poly but am very intrigued! When I have applied poly with a roller or brush I have never been happy. (Current state of my DR table). Do you know if this type of poly will yellow white furniture? I know the polycrilic is not supposed to. I need to re-do my tabletop and am trying to decide if I should try this or just wax? Any suggestions? Thank you!
wipe on poly is oil based and it does yellow white paint, so I would not recommend it. I would highly recommend either one of two products that i believe are more durable that Minwax Polycrylic. 1- Modern Masters MasterClear Supreme or 2- General Finishes High Performance Top Coat. Both are water based and applied with a brush so you have to be a little more careful than just wipe on but a don’t like rollers because they leave bubbles which make the texture weird. MM MasterClear is the ultimate top coat and is virtually indestructible when you apply 2-3 coats, but it is spendy. GF High Performance is cheaper, glides on smoothly and is very durable also (but not quite as durable as the MM one). I usually go with GF because I think it is the best value.
Thank you so much! I heard about the GF High Performance and should have gotten it in the first place! Just bought some so thank you so much for the tips! Now to re-sand and re-paint and re-finish! My DIY are NEVER finished!
How much do you charge to paint six chairs white and bottom of table and redo top with stain? I live in Fenton, MO. Follow you and love your work.
Ellen, can you email me with some pics? shadesofblueinteriors@gmail.com
Looking at your furniture I can’t decide if you have distressed your furniture or is that just dark wax? How did you get the ornate part of the table under the top to be that color? Did you use a darker paint and dark wax or just dark wax? Thanks!
Love it! Love it! Im a huge fan of repurposed older furniture. Thank you for this.