A Guide to Finishing Wood Furniture Pieces Correctly

Your wood furniture has served you well over the years, but now it's looking a little worse for wear. Maybe it's a little scratched, faded, or dented. Whatever the issue, you're thinking it might be time for a new piece. But wait — don't toss out that old wooden dresser just yet! With a little bit of know-how, you can refinish that furniture piece and give it a whole new look. In this blog post, we’ll share with you different techniques for finishing wood furniture pieces correctly.

1. Sanding

Before you can begin to refinish, you'll need to prepare your furniture piece by sanding it down. This process not only smooths out any rough edges or scratches, but it also opens up the wood’s pores to better absorb the finishing product. Start with a rough-grit sandpaper and move to finer grit as you progress.

2. Staining

Staining gives wood furniture a richer and more consistent color. Depending on the type of wood, staining can highlight or minimize the grain. Apply the stain with a soft cloth or brush and then wipe excess off with a clean cloth. You can add more coats if you want a darker finish. Just wait for each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

3. Painting

Painting provides a bright, uniform finish. You'll first need to sand, prime, and then paint your furniture piece. Spray painting or using a paint sprayer will also make the process faster and easier. However, be aware that painting wood furniture will obscure the grain.

4. Varnishing

Varnish adds a protective coating to your wood furniture. It can also enhance its natural beauty and texture. Before applying varnish, make sure that the stain or paint has dried completely. Use a soft brush to apply an even coat. Wait several hours before adding another layer.

5. Waxing

Waxing provides another layer of protection while also giving a glossy shine to your wood furniture. Apply it with a clean, soft cloth. Buff the wax in a circular motion until the furniture takes on a shine. Wait for the wax to dry completely before repeating the process.

Finishing your wood furniture pieces is not a quick and easy task, but with a little patience and attention to detail, your furniture will look as good as new. Whether you decide to stain, paint, varnish, or wax, you can rest easy knowing that you're doing it the right way. So don't give up on that old dresser just yet. Instead, grab some sandpaper and get started on your next weekend project today!