DIY: Refurbishing Wood

Scrape any loose, or chipping paint or finish from the surface with a stiff wire brush before applying your stripper to remove the outer layer so that the stripper penetrates deeper. Put on heavy rubber gloves and eye protection.

Apply a layer of stripper to your project surface with a disposable paint brush. Start with the nooks and crannies along the edges of pieces and in hard to reach places. Overlap your strokes for adequate coverage and allow the stripper to sit, unmoved for the label recommended working time.

Scrape the stripper from the wood with a nylon scraper, removing stripper and paint or finish. Scrape the old finish and stripper into a metal container with a lid for disposal. Work detail areas, or tough sections with a nylon scrubber to remove tough stain and paint. Rinse the surface with a rag wet with odorless mineral spirits. Allow this to dry to the touch.

Sand the surface using at least two passes. Start the first pass with a medium coarse 100-grit sandpaper. Focus on smoothing any rough areas and removing any remaining paint or finish. Run the second pass with a finer grit 200-grit sandpaper. Make your strokes in line with the grain and focus on smoothing the grain with this pass. Wipe the dust from the surface with a tack cloth.

Apply two coats of latex paint, or wood stain and clear finish all in one to restore the finish. Use a soft bristle paint brush, working in line with the grain. Spread your finish as smooth as possible to prevent runs in the surface. Allow the label recommended drying time between coats of finish and allow 24 hours drying to time for the finish to cure completely before returning the piece to normal use.