Woodwork refinishing is an important process of extending the durability and usability of any piece of woodwork –furniture, art, cabinets etc. If your wooden furniture is looking dreary and needs more than just cleaning, a quick refinish might be what you need. As usual, we always recommend hiring a qualified expert for high quality and durable results.
Stripping old finishes from furniture, cleaning and applying new finishes is usually not complicated, but if you don’t have the most basic skills and tools required, it can quickly turn into a frustrating, messy process. If you’re into DIY woodwork refinishing, below are three important steps to make the process a little easier and less frustrating.
Step 1: Prepare the Wood
The first step to preparing any woodwork for refinishing is a good cleaning. Start by thoroughly cleaning the surface of the wood using clean soapy water or mineral spirits if you’re dealing with kitchen cabinets. The idea is to get rid of any surface dirt, grime, and dust that might interfere with the penetration of the new finish.
Next, take your furniture in a well ventilated, clean place in order to strip off the old finish. Cover the floor with drop cloths, wear protective gloves and apply a furniture stripper on the pieces using a brush. Allow the furniture to sit for 20-30 minutes. After the stripper has softened the old finish, scrape off the finish with a wooden scraper. Reapply the stripper and repeat the process until all the old finish is removed.
Alternatively, if you can’t get access to the furniture stripper, you can lightly sand the wood in the direction of the grain using medium grit sandpaper, followed by another light sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper. If you’re working with a porous, softwood, you will need to use a pre-stain wood conditioner to prevent blotching before applying the stain.
Step 2: Choose and Pally the Stain
When it comes to choosing the stain, you have a variety of options to pick from. There’re three main types of stains in regards to opacity: Transparent stains, semi-transparent stains, and solid stains. Transparent and semi-transparent stains are absorbed into the wood when applied and don’t significantly alter the color of the wood. Solid stains, on the other hand, tend to form a solid layer on the surface of the wood and usually cover the natural beauty of the wood.
The choice of the type of stain is usually a matter of personal preference, but if your furniture doesn’t have noticeable surface imperfections, ad semitransparent paint is often the best choice for many people. Solid stains and paints are usually reserved for older pieces that have surface imperfections. Apply two coats of the stain evenly –and be sure to wait for one coat to dry before applying the next.
Step 3: Apply a Protective Finish
Once the stain has been applied, wait for it to dry and apply a clear coat of protective finish. The Protective finish protects the wood against moisture, food stains, household chemicals, and everyday wear and tear. To minimize the formation of bubbles and brush marks, hold the brush at 45-degree angle and run the brush over the entire wood length.
The Bottom Line
Wood refinishing is a relatively easy task, but it requires some basic painting skills as well as the appropriate tools. A well–finished and protected piece of furniture will not only look appealing but will also last for much longer without showing the signs of deterioration.
If your pieces of furniture or other woodwork are showing signs of paint failure, or you simply want to update their aesthetics, Brush & Roll Painting can help. To request our wood refinishing services in Omaha, NE, simply book a free estimate below or give us a call on 402-932-9764 for more details.
Bill is the owner and operator of Brush & Roll Painting.
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