How To Refinish Worn Timber

Revive old or battered furniture by applying a new finish.
First you will need to prepare the timber for a new finish. Smooth dents with tinted timber filler and clean out carved decorative features then sand the surface to remove built-up grime and allow the new finish to absorb into the timber.
To finish apply a natural oil with a brush, let it soak for a few minutes then smooth by hand with 120 grit abrasive paper. Apply another one or two coats, sanding lightly in between.
TIP- Tung oil was used on this table.

Step 1. Sand the surface
Sand with a cork block and 100 grit abrasive paper, removing any paint using a detail sander, applying even pressure and sanding over the entire surface in the direction of the grain.

Step 2. Clean the grooves
Use a scraper to clean out the decorative grooves then fold a piece of abrasive paper in half and run the folded edge through the grooves.

Step 3. Prepare for finishing
Punch exposed nail heads and use tinted timber putty to fill small holes. Fill larger holes or damaged edges with a mixture of putty, PVA adhesive and matching timber shavings, leave it to dry then sand smooth.

Step 4. Remove paint traces
For fine details use a hacksaw blade to gently work around the grooves to remove any leftover paint then run a folded piece of abrasive paper through them.

Step 5. Finish the table
Prepare the surface for finishing by sanding with increasingly finer grits then dust and wipe the timber with a lint-free cloth dipped in methylated spirits, applying a quality oil, stain or lacquer with a brush.
Vote It Up:

Points: 45