How to Refinish a Wood Shelf

- Wood shelf

- Sandpaper (various grits)

- Tack cloth

- Wood stain (optional)

- Clear coat finish (such as polyurethane)

- Paintbrush or roller

- Safety goggles

- Dust mask

Instructions:

1. Prepare the shelf. Remove any hardware from the shelf and clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth. Allow the shelf to dry completely.

2. Sand the shelf. Starting with a coarse-grit sandpaper (such as 80-grit), sand the surface of the shelf in the direction of the grain. Work your way through progressively finer grits of sandpaper (such as 100-grit, 120-grit, and 220-grit) until the surface is smooth to the touch.

3. Remove the sanding dust. Wipe the shelf down with a tack cloth to remove any remaining sanding dust.

4. Apply wood stain (optional). If you would like to change the color of the shelf, you can apply a coat of wood stain. Be sure to follow the instructions on the stain can.

5. Apply a clear coat finish. Once the stain is dry (if applicable), apply a coat of clear coat finish. You can use a paintbrush or roller to apply the finish. Be sure to apply the finish in thin, even coats, and allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat.

6. Reattach the hardware. Once the finish is dry, you can reattach any hardware that you removed.

_Tip:_ For a more distressed look, you can use a wire brush to rough up the surface of the shelf before sanding. You can also use different colors of stain to create a unique look.

Tips:

- Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area when sanding and applying stains and finishes.

- Wear safety goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from dust and fumes.

- Allow the shelf to dry completely between coats of stain and finish.

- If you live in a humid climate, you can use a moisture-resistant clear coat finish on the shelf, this helps in preventing moisture.