When refinishing any wood surface, properly preparing the surface is incredibly important. An improperly prepared surface will, at best, look bubbly, dingy, or uneven. It might even peel off causing you double the work.
This is especially true when refinishing pine furniture. Pine is a very soft wood, so it needs a protective coating to put up with everyday wear and tear. You can provide this protection by painting it, or if you prefer the wood look, you can seal it with polyurethane.
The steps for using polyurethane are below, but paint can easily be replaced in the steps with less effort.
You will need:
- Sandpaper — 80, 120 and 220 grit
- Tack cloth
- Vacuum
- Commercial stripper
- Putty knife
- Paintbrush
- Dish soap and water
- Steel wool — double-aught (00) and quadruple-aught (0000)
- Safety mask
The following is a common method of refinishing pine furniture:
- Prepare the surface by applying the commercial stripper with a paintbrush to strip away the old remaining finish. Let it remain a few minutes before using the putty knife to scrape it off. Repeat until all previous finish is stripped away.
- Wash with soap and water. Let dry completely. Remember, wood is porous and takes time to dry.
- Once dry, sand the piece with 80-grit sandpaper first, followed by 120 and 220. The grain should be raised after the wash so be sure to smooth it out.
- Wipe clean with a tack cloth. It is important to get all dust off the piece or it will be trapped in the finish you soon will apply. Use a vacuum to clean up any sawdust around the piece.
- Use the double-aught (00) steel wool to rub the surface. This is the final smoothing step. After, use a clean tack cloth to remove the resulting debris.
- Apply your first coat of polyurethane with a paintbrush. This is similar to the steps you will follow when applying stain to a wood floor. Allow to dry.
- Use quadruple-aught (0000) steel wool on the dry first coat. This allows the second coat to adhere to the first.
- Repeat application steps as necessary to achieve your desired finish.
Can’t Do It On Your Own?
If you still are unsure about the process, it’s best to contact a professional. He or she will know about proper ventilation and will be able to determine how to make your furniture look its best. TalkLocal can help connect you with a professional painter in your area. Best of all, our service is free!
