- Scrub the Wood. The first step in refinishing old trim is to clean the wood to remove grime. ...
- Strip Away. Using a natural-bristle brush, paint on a plentiful coat of a commercial stripper, such as Back To Nature Multi-Strip.
- Scrape and Sand. The next step is to remove the stripper by scraping and sanding. ...
- Shellac Seal. After the wood is dry, apply a coat of de-waxed shellac, which works with most finishes. ...
- Spread the Glaze. To level out the wood’s splotchy color, spread out the finishing glaze. ...
- Save the Stain. Once you have your color right and your glaze is dry, rub the wood with two additional coats of thinned gloss varnish.
How to refinish wood trim in home?
Refinishing Wood Trim the Right Way
- Removing the Trim. Begin by removing the pieces of wood to be refinished from the wall. ...
- Preparing the Wood. The first instinct may be to sand the wood, but that is not always a good idea. ...
- Refinishing the Wood Trim. The paint is off, the trim is clean and it is now time to add either a protective coating or paint. ...
How to distress wood trim?
Rough Up the Wood
- The first step is to mechanically age the wood, using tools and objects to give its texture more wear and tear. ...
- Start with blunt tools. ...
- Other techniques include dragging a metal chain across the wood surface or scratching the wood with the threads of a long, metal screw, which will leave grooves.
How to repair old rotting wood trim or siding?
How to Repair Wood Siding: Replace rotted siding. Evaluate the boards. Decide which boards need replacing and where to make your cuts. Cut the nails. Make the first cut with a circular saw. Finish the cut with a sharp utility knife. Pry off the rotted boards. Install the new boards.
How to varnish wood trim?
Steps for Painting Old Wood Trim:
- Start by protecting the floors and walls with painter’s tape. ...
- Tape the walls using regular painter’s tape. ...
- Lightly sand all the wood trim using a 220 grit sandpaper. ...
- Vacuum up as much of the dust from sanding as possible. ...
- Prime all the surfaces using the bonding primer and a paint brush. ...
- Allow the primer to dry. ...
How do you refinish old wood trim?
Trim Repair: How to Fix and Revive TrimStep 1: Start with a thorough cleaning. Photo 1: Remove old paint spots. ... Step 2: Scrape and sand badly damaged areas. Photo 2: Scrape eroded areas. ... Step 3: Roughen the finish and fill small holes. ... Step 4: Apply stain to hide dings and scratches. ... Step 5: Apply the fresh finish.
Can you sand and Restain trim?
Your trim may look dull or worn. You can still bring your baseboards back to life, however. If a good cleaning and waxing is not enough, you can sand and restain your baseboards to bring them back to their original beauty.
Is it better to paint or stain wood trim?
If you have a newer build, painting your trim may work out much better than in a home that is 100 years old. If you have an older home, you probably have some high-quality stained woodwork. Stained wood trim is very common in older homes, and keeping it stained can bring a sense of warmth and rustic charm to a room.
Does stained wood trim need to be sanded before painting?
Do not apply paint directly onto stained trim. There are prep steps that you must take before painting stained trim. Do not go without sanding stained trim before painting stained trim.
How hard is it to Restain trim?
0:164:28Staining & Re-lacquering Interior Woodwork. Using Wood Stains.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then after that we're gonna be staining it with a shirt Williams BAC wiping stain that dries inMoreAnd then after that we're gonna be staining it with a shirt Williams BAC wiping stain that dries in about an hour and then we're going to be going back and lacquering.
How do you make old wood look new again?
InstructionsMix 1 part vinegar to 1 part olive oil.Use your lint free cloth to apply the mixture to the wood in direction of the wood grain.Let the solution sit on the wood about 10 minutes.After 10 minutes take a dry cloth and wipe the excess moisture away.
How do you make wood trim look good?
0:230:58How Do I Restore Wood Trim? : Woodworking Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd cover the scratches. Completely it's very easy.MoreAnd cover the scratches. Completely it's very easy.
Is wood stain trim outdated?
The answer is – no! The oak trim and oak flooring finish (the golden color known in the industry as “honey”) will never come back in style. Today, there are many beautiful versions of stained oak on the market that allow it to appear more contemporary and aesthetically pleasing.
Is white woodwork going out of style?
All-white is losing its appeal Much like in the kitchen, using white throughout an entire room is another interior design trend that's waning. White can make a room look crisp and clean, but too much of it can make a room feel cold.
Can you paint over stained wood without sanding?
Can you paint over stained wood without sanding? If you use the right primer, you don't have to do any sanding before painting. Some of the items you can paint without sanding include cabinets, furniture, and trim molding. For the best results, though, sanding is recommended.
How do you paint wood trim that has been stained?
The 4 basic steps to painting over stained wood are:De-gloss even satin finishes by sanding and/or chemical wipe. ... Apply only a top-notch primer that will block stains.Apply two coats of a trim/cabinet paint (harder than other paints)See our quick way to clean up: it's really not that bad.
Can I paint over varnished wood without sanding?
Can you paint over varnished wood without sanding? Yes. You certainly can.
Can wood trim be refinished?
Wood trim can take many forms, such as a fireplace mantel and surround, window trim, or baseboards. Whatever trim you need to refinish, the first and most important step is sanding. For most trims, the size will mean that you need to sand by hand.
Do you need to sand baseboards before staining?
Step 1: Sand Baseboards Be sure to always sand with the grain, not against it. More sanding may be required in rooms with high traffic or areas with furniture that backs up to the wall. Wipe away the residue with a tack cloth.
How do I restore already installed trim?
If the trim is already installed on the wall, modify the steps by first taping off the walls and laying a drop cloth on the floor. Fill gaps, gouges and other imperfections in the trim with wood putty, and then proceed with sanding and finishing. Stain may be applied with clean rags, cheesecloth or brushes.
How do you sand and refinish baseboards?
To refinish your wood baseboards, start by cleaning off the baseboard. Next, use a 120-grit sandpaper to clear away the old finish, and then switch to 220-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface. Clear all the dust away, and then secure any loose nails. Use wood putty to fill any dents or nail holes.
What is the first step in refinishing wood trim?
Whatever trim you need to refinish, the first and most important step is sanding. For most trims, the size will mean that you need to sand by hand. If you have a larger piece, you can use a hand orbital sander.
How to finish a can of sandpaper?
Finish it off with a couple coats of fast-drying polyurethane. A spray-on finish is quick and easy to apply. Just keep the can moving and apply light coats to avoid drips. A light sanding with 220-grit sandpaper between coats makes for an extra-smooth finish.
How to get rid of a stain on a steak?
Don’t be skimpy with the stain; apply a good amount to be sure you have even coverage. Then wipe it off evenly, applying equal pressure. {If you wipe too lightly, you will know by the steaks that are left behind}. You should also apply and wipe off stain in the direction of the wood grain, always.
Is wood finishing complicated?
Wood finishing of any kind isn’t terribly complicated, but because it requires some attention to detail, along with a good dose of patience, it seems more complicated than it is. Today I’ve got some tips and tricks to help you refinish that wood trim in your home so that it looks great!
Can you use a hand orbital sander to refinish wood?
If you have a larger piece, you can use a hand orbital sander. No matter which you use, it’s important to follow the natural grain of the wood when sanding, no matter which type of wood you’re working with. If you are refinishing, you will sand until the previous stain has been sanded away.
What is the best tool to remove stripper softened wood?
A dull scraper is the best tool for removing stripper-softened finish from flat panels. But when Thomas comes to the tiny curves and crevices around the panels, he reaches for his pull scrapers, dental tools, toothbrushes—anything that can get into the hard-to-reach places. He's careful not to apply too much pressure: "Remove the finish, not the wood," he says.
How long does it take for Thomas to strip paint?
Strip the old finish. Using a wide natural-bristle brush, Thomas paints on a thick coat of commercial stripper, then lets it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, waiting for the surface to turn from glossy to dull. (Dull means the finish underneath has liquefied.) He keeps all the windows open to allow any fumes to escape.
What wood did Karen and Kevin use?
Karen and Kevin's place is filled with fine woods—solid bird's-eye maple, quartersawn oak, and cherry—that today are considered quite valuable. But in the late Victorian era, when this house was built, says Thomas, "The middle class who bought these places wanted their rooms to look like they'd been paneled in mahogany, a wood within the means of only the very wealthy." As a result, most woodwork was given a dark finish that obscured its natural grain and color.
How many glaze coats does Thomas use to stain maple?
The wood gets darker with each coat he applies; in this case, it takes two glaze coats for Thomas to approximate the original mahogany stain.
When did wood staining start?
The invention of modern penetrating stains in the 1960s made it easy for homeowners to get a consistent color, but those stains work best if a clear sealer of lacquer or shellac is applied to the wood first.
Can you use aniline to color wood?
Pro Tip: Maple, cherry, and pine don't absorb sta ins evenly, but you can give these woods a uniform color with aniline dyes.
How to get stain off wood?
Saturate the wood with a liberal coat of stain using a natural-bristle brush. Wipe off the stain with clean cotton rags in the same order you put it on. That will enable the stain to soak into all areas of the wood for about the same amount of time. Wipe with light, even pressure.
What is a beautiful finish?
A beautiful finish is all about proper preparation, a suitable workspace and the right products. We asked Gary Hakkinen, a painting veteran of 40-plus years, to show us his best practices for perfection. Here are a few of his favorite staining, sanding and finishing tips to help you create rich, silky-smooth trim.
Can you sand trim boards before sanding?
If you can, arrange your trim boards in such a way that after you brush on the desired amount of finish, you can make your last couple strokes in one continuous pass. That will ensure no overlap marks. If you do end up with imperfections after the finish dries, sand them out when you sand before the next coat.
Can you sand and finish in the same room?
If possible, do your sanding and finishing in different rooms. All that sanding dust will affect the clear coats. If you have to sand and finish in the same area, do whatever you can to clean the room before applying the sanding sealer and clear coat.
How to smooth out baseboard trim?
A new finish will attach easier to a smooth trim. Sand your baseboards with 120-grit sandpaper to clear away the old finish from the trim. Then, repeat the process with 220-grit sandpaper until the surface is evenly smooth.
What is baseboard trim?
Baseboard trim, attached to the bottom of walls, is made from small strips of wood. Not only is this trim aesthetically pleasing, but also it helps protect walls from damage during carpet installation. However, over time, the caulking and paint on baseboard trim tends to chip off. If your baseboards are looking weathered or chipping, refinish the trim to restore its original function and appearance.
How to clean sawdust from baseboards?
Open a window to allow dust to filter outsider and let in fresh air. Then, using a tack cloth, wipe away any sawdust from the baseboards.
How to remove stripper from wood?
The next step is to remove the stripper by scraping and sanding. Use a dull scraper and a dental pick to get at those hard-to-reach places. Most importantly, scrape at the finish, not at the wood; you don’t want to gouge it. When sanding, do so lightly, like you’re brushing away dirt from furniture.
How to clean sharp edges of wood?
Sanding smooths grainy areas and removes sharp edges. Afterward, use fine steel wool to wash the wood with the vinegar/dish soap solution. This will stabilize any remaining chemicals.
How to get a sheen out of wood?
Once you have your color right and your glaze is dry, rub the wood with two additional coats of thinned gloss varnish. Steer clear of polyurethanes, since they can remove the underlying seal. If the sheen is too much for your taste, soften it with a final coat of satin varnish. After that, you’re all set.
Is it important to restore old woodwork?
When performing an update and refinishing old trim, it’s important to know how to properly restore old woodwork. Done correctly, this is a fun way to bring new life to your home.
How to clean paint off of wood trim?
Alcohol won’t harm most finishes, but it will dissolve shellac. Don’t worry if some of the finish comes off. You can touch it up later (Photo 7). Protect the walls with masking tape to prevent the alcohol from damaging the paint. For tougher paint spatters, use a fine synthetic abrasive pad (such as a 3M Wood Finishing Pad) dipped in denatured alcohol.
What to use to remove water stains from wood?
If the wood has dark water stains that scraping and sanding won’t remove, you can remove them with oxalic acid (Photo 3).
How to lighten a stain?
You can repeat the process to further lighten the stain. Wipe the bleached wood with a sponge and clear water. Then neutralize the oxalic acid by applying a solution of 3 tablespoons of borax to 1 gallon of water with a sponge. Finally, rinse the bleached wood with water again and let it dry overnight.
How to get rid of a sand stain on a carpet?
Mix the oxalic acid in a plastic container. Add 1 oz. of oxalic acid powder (about 2 tablespoons) to 1 cup of hot water and stir it until the powder dissolves. Then brush the solution onto the stain with a disposable sponge brush and let it work for 20 minutes. You can repeat the process to further lighten the stain.
How to soften old paint?
Soften old paint along the edges of trim and stained baseboards with alcohol. A rag wrapped around a putty knife lets you scrub the trim without slopping alcohol onto the wall.
How to get rid of excess polyurethane on wood?
Fold a cotton rag to create a pad. Then dip an edge of the pad into a container of wipe-on polyurethane and press it against the side to wring out the excess. Wipe the polyurethane onto the wood in long strokes in the direction of the wood grain as you would if you were using a brush.
How to match stain to wood?
One of the trickiest parts of a wood restoration project is finding stain to match. You can pry off a small piece of trim and ask the paint department to mix stain to match. Some paint stores and home centers offer inexpensive sample packets of stain. You can choose several samples that are close to the color of your wood and experiment in a hidden area to find the best color match. Then buy a larger container. Another approach is to buy two or three cans of stain that are close to the color of your woodwork and mix them to get the right color. Use an eyedropper and disposable plastic cups to mix small batches until you get the proportions right. Keep notes so you can reproduce the results in a larger batch.
