Q: What’s the best finish to use to refinish a dining room table? I want something durable and food-safe.
Use Oil-Based Polyurethane
Varnish is not easy to apply, and shellac is not durable. Tung oil dries slowly and needs many coats. That’s why, for the non-pro, I’d recommend an oil-based wipe-on polyurethane. I’ve used it on a number of projects—including tables—that I built for The New Yankee Workshop and for my own use. It offers great protection, has the look of a hand-rubbed oil finish, and is easy to apply. It also dries more quickly than brush-on polyurethanes, so there’s less chance of dust getting in the finish. You can buy wipe-on polys that are water-based, but they dry clear as glass. I like the way that oil-based formulas add color to the wood.
When I’m using this finish, I make my own applicator: a clean piece of rolled-up cotton cloth held by a metal binder clip. The clip keeps my fingers out of the finish. I simply pour the poly into a paper bowl, dip the cloth into the finish, and spread it on the tabletop.
The key is to lay down the poly in long, continuous strokes, one right after the other, so you always keep a wet edge. Don’t wipe on too much at one time. Thin coats level out better and dry faster than thick ones. Most manufacturers recommend applying three coats, but I usually do more.
After each coat dries for a few hours, scuff it lightly with 220-grit sandpaper and clean up the dust with a cloth moistened with denatured alcohol. When you’re done, you should have a flawless finish that’s durable and food-safe, once it cures.
— This Old House master carpenter Norm Abram
FAQs
Learning how to refinish wooden furniture is easy with the following steps, and refinishing a table can be done in a weekend. Want to give a new look to an old, tired piece of furniture? Refinish it. You don't need special equipment and you can finish in a weekend.
Is it worth it to refinish a table? ›
Refinishing isn't for every table. It's not for mass-produced, low-quality tables—those are meant for the fire pit. If your table is made of quality material, is a family heirloom, or has sentimental value, it's an excellent candidate for refinishing.
What does it cost to refinish a dining room table? ›
Cost to Refinish Furniture by Item
| Furniture Item | Refinishing Cost (Labor Included) |
|---|
| Dining Table | $500 - $2,400 |
| China Cabinet | $700 - $3,500 |
| Armoire | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Dining Room Set | $1,000 - $6,000 |
13 more rowsWell, the best way to do this is to resurface the tabletop. The process of refinishing a solid wood table consists of removing the old finish and applying the new finish – and best of all, it's a simple process that anyone can do. It's a great way to make your table look brand new.
What furniture should not be refinished? ›
Some furniture is not worth refinishing. If your furniture is constructed from particleboard, veneer over plywood or even Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), refinishing it will be a waste of time and resources. Less expensive furniture made in the last three or four decades is often made from these materials.
How do you restore a dining room table top finish? ›
- Sand down imperfections and water spots. Before sanding, I wiped down the table well. ...
- Clean your surface well after sanding. After sanding, you'll want to do a good cleaning to remove all of the dust before staining or treating the wood surface. ...
- Choose your protectant. ...
- Applying Tung oil. ...
- Add enough coats.
How long does it take to refurbish an old table? - Quora. Quick touchups with a stain marker, 1/2 an hour. Strip it, buff it with steel wool, restain it and varnish it, a day if you keep at it and it only had varnish to begin with. Add another day if it was painted.
Can you refinish a table top without stripping? ›
How do you refinish wood furniture without having to sand and strip? We recommend using a gel stain product for restoring the color of the furniture. They are a perfect solution for your purpose because they are easy to apply, and you don't have to remove the coating.
How do you tell if wood table can be refinished? ›
Generally, mass-produced pieces up until the 1950s and 1960s (when particleboard and cheaper, flimsier construction techniques became popular) are great candidates for refinishing. Look for original hardware and other details. Does the piece have its original hardware?
Is it cheaper to refinish furniture or buy new? ›
Refinishing a furniture piece will cost half as much as buying an entirely new piece, if not less.
Normal range: $150 - $400. The average cost to refinish a table is $250 , but prices can range from $150 to $400 depending on the type and size of the table, as well as the amount and type of finishin work involved. Even the sturdiest wooden table gets worn down by daily wear and tear.
How to refinish wood furniture for beginners? ›
- Select a Finish. Finishes protect your furniture from damage and moisture and bring out the wood's beauty. ...
- Clean. Start with basic cleaning to remove dirt and sticky substances. ...
- Check Out the Condition. ...
- Remove the Old Finish. ...
- Sand. ...
- Seal the Wood. ...
- Stain or Paint. ...
- Apply Wood Finish.
VARNISH FINISH FOR ENHANCED PROTECTION
Compared to the waxed finish for wooden furniture, the protection offered by a varnish will be more durable over time.
Can you refinish a varnished table? ›
Depending on the table top and finish you're working with, you could get away with lightly sanding or repainting it to give it a new look. To refinish a table top considerably worn by time, you likely need to strip the clear varnish top coat since varnish tends to get yellowed or irreparably cloudy.
How do you restore a table top without sanding it? ›
You can use a gel stain to restore the colour. Gel stains are great for antique furniture restoration. The best part is that you don't need to strip off the original old colour of your furniture. Gel stains can easily restore the faded and worn colour of wood furniture.
How much does it cost to refinish the top of a table? ›
On average, it can cost anywhere between $50 to $400 to refinish a kitchen table, depending on the size of the table, the materials needed, and the complexity of the job.
Can a veneer dining table be refinished? ›
To complete the refinishing of your veneer furniture, you need to apply staining with wax and polish. The wax is applied to give veneers a darker look. The wood stain wax is applied for a longer time so that it is absorbed properly and evenly by the veneer.
Can you refinish a table without sanding? ›
Yep, it really is that easy. No need go the long way and try to remove the old finish to paint wood furniture. You also don't need liquid sandpaper or liquid deglosser. If you want to paint furniture quickly and easily – all you need is regular paint and the RIGHT primer!
Can a laminate table be refinished? ›
You can sand, prime and paint laminate as if it were a solid wood piece of furniture! It's easy to skip the sanding step, because sanding is a drag… but it's especially important with laminate. Because it's often somewhat glossy-looking, and important to sand it down until the finish is very dull before priming.
