how do you stain and varnish a table

How to Sand & Stain a Table.

• 1. Sand Table. Before you start sanding, wipe down your table with a lint-free cloth or a tack cloth to remove dirt, dust, or food remnants. Put the ...
• 2. Remove Dust & Condition the Wood.
• 3. Apply Your Stain.
• 4. Sand & Finish.
• 5. Enjoy.

Full Answer

How to sand and stain a table?

How to Sand & Stain a Table. 1. Sand Table. Before you start sanding, wipe down your table with a lint-free cloth or a tack cloth to remove dirt, dust, or food remnants. Put the ... 2. Remove Dust & Condition the Wood. 3. Apply Your Stain. 4. Sand & Finish. 5. Enjoy.

How do you stain a dining room table?

You'll want to use a paintbrush to apply the stain on your table. Dip your paintbrush into the stain and apply an even, thin layer onto the wood. After a few minutes of drying, use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe away the excess stain. This helps your stain dry evenly.

How do you remove varnish from a dining room table?

Steps: Sand the entire table removing all stain from edges and legs. If using an orbital or belt sander, be careful not to gouge the surface. Do most of the initial sanding and varnish removal with the 100-grit sandpaper, then step up to 150-grit and do a final pass with 220-grit to smooth out the grain for the new finish.

How do you remove varnish from wood before staining?

Do most of the initial sanding and varnish removal with the 100-grit sandpaper, then step up to 150-grit and do a final pass with 220-grit to smooth out the grain for the new finish. Carefully remove all sanding dust with a tack cloth. Apply stain with a brush, following the wood's natural grain.

How do you stain and varnish a wood table?

3:575:03How to Finish a Wood Table | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCertainly could but once you start with water finish with water start with oil finish with oilMoreCertainly could but once you start with water finish with water start with oil finish with oil perfect speaking of finishing. Last thing is take the tips of your bristles. Very gently pull it along.

How do you stain and finish a table top?

Apply stain with a disposable brush, following the wood's natural grain. Apply stain liberally, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes, then wipe off excess stain with a soft cotton rag (synthetic rags aren't going to soak up excess stain), using the rag to rub the stain into fine cracks in the wood.

How do you apply varnish and stain all in one?

1:372:57How To Apply Stain And Polyurethane In One - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to take a natural bristle brush dip it right into your poly shades. And you're going toMoreYou're going to take a natural bristle brush dip it right into your poly shades. And you're going to brush a fresh coat on in the direction of the grain of the wood. This. Product is poly.

How do you stain a table step by step?

How to Stain Wood in 6 StepsSand the wood. Start by sanding your unfinished wood with 120-grit sandpaper, being sure to sand in the direction of the grain. ... Stir your stain. ... Apply the stain. ... Wipe off excess stain. ... Let the wood dry before applying a sealer. ... Clean up.

How do you varnish a table without brush marks?

Thinning each coat of varnish with mineral spirits allows the finish to flow out more smoothly, making brush marks less likely to remain as it dries.

How do you stain like a professional?

1:032:14How to Stain Wood - Easy Amazing Pro Results #diy #finish - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGoing from end to end do not stop like that you want a continuous flow that way you will leave outMoreGoing from end to end do not stop like that you want a continuous flow that way you will leave out any weird start and stop marks. And it'll just look very very clean.

Do you sand between stain and varnish?

Yes, you need to sand the wood surface to even out scratches, dings, and other blemishes that the stain would highlight. Sanding also opens up the wood pores allowing the stain to penetrate it properly. If you skip sanding, the wood might not absorb the stain as it should.

Do I need to apply varnish after staining?

Applying a topcoat sealer is not required, but a finish protects the stained wood from scratches and keeps it from fading over time. If applying a polyurethane finish with a brush, apply one to two coats. If using a spray can, hold 8 to 12 inches from the surface and apply two or three light coats.

Should I varnish after staining?

Do I have to apply a clear coat after staining? While staining creates a rich, deep color that highlights natural wood grain, it does not provide long-term protection. Without a protective top coat, wood can be damaged easily due to contact with water, food, or sharp objects.

Should I stain with a brush or rag?

The best way to apply stain is with a lint free rag and wiping it into the grain of the wood. Using a lint free rag is the best way to apply wood stain because it is great for controlling the amount of stain that is applied and for removing any excess stain.

Do you seal wood after staining?

After staining wood do you have to seal it? What is this? After staining wood, you have to seal if because the wood remains a porous surface. If you're just using a regular stain, it can provide some degree of protection compared to totally unfinished wood.

How do you stain for beginners?

1:133:02Staining School 101: The Basics of Staining Wood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can apply the stain with a bristle or foam brush. But I just grabbed the nearest shop rag. AndMoreYou can apply the stain with a bristle or foam brush. But I just grabbed the nearest shop rag. And some gloves.

How do you finish a raw wood table top?

StepsLightly hand-sand the wood, always working in the direction of the grain.Start sanding with 120-grit sandpaper and continue with progressively finer sandpaper up to 180 grit.Brush a coat of wood conditioner onto the wood, which will allow the stain to soak in evenly without blotching.More items...

Can you stain a table without sanding it?

You absolutely do not need to sand the finish off the table, just lightly sand enough to rough up the existing finish to give the Polyshades something to grip.

How do you seal wood after staining?

Applying a topcoat sealer is not required, but a finish protects the stained wood from scratches and keeps it from fading over time. If applying a polyurethane finish with a brush, apply one to two coats. If using a spray can, hold 8 to 12 inches from the surface and apply two or three light coats.

How do you seal a wood table top?

0:051:14How to Seal a Tabletop - DIY Network - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe would go ahead and do four hours between this coat and our next coat. Often you would do a littleMoreWe would go ahead and do four hours between this coat and our next coat. Often you would do a little light sanding in between just to get out any rough spots or air bubbles.

What to use to clean a table?

Clean your table with your preferred cleaning materials (such as dish soap, disinfectant wipes, or old mild detergents) to rid it of food, grime, and excess oils.

How to make a table darker?

Use a sponge brush to apply a thin layer of stain to the surface of the table — the thicker the layer, the darker the stain will be. To reach your desired shade, add thin layers of stain one at a time to gradually approach the perfect hue.

Is staining a table the same as painting?

The process for staining your table is very similar to painting it. However, pay attention to the last few steps, as applying stain is slightly different than brushing on paint.

Should you paint your kitchen table or stain it?

For example, if multiple different types of wood are present, the different woods will vary in color and appearance once stained. And, if there is significant surface damage to the wood that you can’t easily away, a stain won’t cover those blemishes as well as paint. Last, if the wood has intricate carving details, staining it will be quite difficult. In order to stain effectively, you first need to sand off the existing layers, and during this process, you may inadvertently remove some of the details that make the table so special.

What grit should I use for maple stain?

Prep your unfinished wood for stain. For my Maple Plywood Top, I sanded with 120-grit and 180-grit. Some wood may need a higher grit.

What does glaze do to a table top?

It applied faster and completely smooth. The glaze adds depth and richness to the overall look of this table top finish.

How to use Danish oil in black walnut?

Apply Danish Oil in Black Walnut with a clean, lint free rag. I use old socks and t-shirts with this product. With Danish Oil, I just pour a bit on and wipe it around.

Do you need to strip wood furniture?

IF YOUR WOOD ALREADY HAS STAIN, you may not need to strip it. Here’s a few tips to think about. I just refinished my kitchen stools with this tutorial for how to stain wood furniture without stripping.

How to stain a table top?

Stir the stain thoroughly before applying each coat. You'll want to use a paintbrush to apply the stain on your table. Dip your paintbrush into the stain and apply an even, thin layer onto the wood. After a few minutes of drying, use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe away the excess stain. This helps your stain dry evenly. Don't wipe too hard or let your cloth get too wet.

How to sand a table before staining?

Begin sanding the entire wood surface with coarse-grit sandpaper (80 grit), then progress to medium-grit sandpaper ( 150 grit), and then to a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) before you stain. When sanding, sand the entire table with each grit before moving on to the next grit.

How long does it take for wood stain to dry?

Let your stain sit for 24 hours to completely dry. For a final smoothing, carefully sand with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) using a hand sander. A hand sander is important for the final stage of sanding because it is more gentle than an electric sander. Be sure to move in the direction of the wood grain.

How to remove dust from wood table?

Use a lint-free cloth and a tack cloth to remove all dust particles from the table before applying your wood conditioner. Use the tack cloth after the lint-free cloth so the tacky material can remove any remaining dust particles. Removing any excess dust helps the wood conditioner and wood stain adhere smoothly to the table.

How to clean a table with a sandpaper?

Use protective covering on the floor under your table. 1. Sand Table. Before you start sanding, wipe down your table with a lint-free cloth or a tack cloth to remove dirt, dust, or food remnants. Put the sandpaper on the bottom of the hand sander or electric sander (whichever you've chosen) before you start sanding.

How to keep a table looking smooth?

Don't wipe too hard or let your cloth get too wet. Lightly sand your table with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) between each coat of stain. This helps keep your table looking smooth, gives the stain a better finish, and allows the coats to bond together.

How to get dust out of wood?

Wipe down the wood with a cloth between each sanding to remove remaining particles. Most electric sanders come with a vacuum installed which helps limit the amount of sanding dust that is expelled into the air while making the sanding process easier and faster.

How long does it take for a stained wood table to dry?

Once the entire surface had been stained and all the extra stain was removed, we let the surface dry. It took about 10 hours to dry. The edge of the table took longer to dry, probably because we applied a thicker coat there and didn’t wipe it as much.

How many grit paper to use for varnish removal?

We used our orbital sander with 80 grit paper to remove the most of the varnish possible.

How long does it take for a sandpaper to dry?

We let the surface dry for 2 hours.

Can you use the same chairs at a table?

We could use those chairs when we extend the table when we have guests. The chairs won’t all be the same, but at least they will be the same color.

First, Shop for a Few Supplies

All-purpose cleaning spray and a cloth or paper towels Coarse sandpaper (60-, 120-, and 360-grit) A block or mechanical sander A clean, dry tack cloth Stain (or primer and paint)

Now, Here's How to Refinish a Table

1. Understand what you're working with. Furniture designer Andrew Hamm cautions you to “pay attention to the level of detail on the piece before you start.

How to smooth out a stained wood table?

If choosing to use an orbital or belt sander, be very careful not to gouge the surface. Do most of the initial sanding with 100-grit sandpaper, then step up to 150-grit and do a final pass with 220-grit to smooth out the grain. Finish to a smoothness that makes you happy.

How to remove a wood table finish?

Leave the stripper on as long as recommended by the manufacturer to soften the existing finish before removing with a wide putty knife, following the grain of the wood and with the putty knife at a low angle to the table's surface to prevent gouging the wood. Wipe the putty knife clean between with a cloth between scrapes.

How to get rid of cracks in wood?

Apply stain with a disposable brush, following the wood's natural grain. Apply stain liberally, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes, then wipe off excess stain with a soft cotton rag (synthetic rags aren't going to soak up excess stain), using the rag to rub the stain into fine cracks in the wood.

How to remove oil from a table?

Use gentle soap and water to remove dirt and oils from the table's existing finish. This will prepare the surface to be sanded if it's a stained table, or stripped if the table was previously painted or varnished.

Can you refinish a worn dining room table?

Easily refinish a dated or worn dining room table to give it a fresh look.

Do you need to strip a table?

If the table is painted or varnished, you'll need to strip the surface. There are a variety of chemical stripping agents available at your local home improvement store. Whichever you use, follow manufacturer's instructions and protect yourself from chemical burns by wearing proper protective equipment, like chemical-resistant gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and eye protection. Also, be sure to work in an area with proper ventilation.

Can you stain wood before wiping?

Tip: The longer stain sits on the wood before wiping, the darker the final color will be. For an even finish, apply stain a little at a time so you can be sure to wipe it off before it soaks in too long.

What woods absorb stain?

Most common wood species — pine, birch, maple and cherry — absorb stain unevenly. For a more consistent finish, apply a pre-stain conditioner.

What to do if your wood is dark?

Check for this on your test block. If you get an ugly result, pretreat the end grain with a dose of finish that will limit absorption (wood conditioner, sanding sealer, shellac or polyurethane thinned 50 percent). Apply the treatment with an artist's brush and be careful not to slop onto the face grain.

How to avoid wood finishers remorse?

Avoid Regrets. The very best way to avoid wood finishers' remorse is to test your finishes on wood scraps of the same wood species as your table. Sand the scraps in exactly the same way you sand the table: Sanding lighter or harder or using different grits will change the look of any finish you apply. Step 10.

What is the best tool to remove lint from a finish?

Tweezers are an essential emergency tool. If a fly, brush bristle or piece of lint ends up in the finish, you can surgically remove it.

Can you finish a table top?

And your work has to be perfect. More than any other furniture surface, a tabletop reflects light and shows off every little flaw. But that doesn't mean you can't do it. These tips will make the tough parts easier and help you achieve a perfect finish.

Is it easier to move a table or disassemble it?

A disassembled table is much easier to move and the legs are easier to finish. On a typical table, removing each leg is as simple as unscrewing a nut.

Can you sand wood finish?

Airborne dust is the wood finisher's nemesis. It settles on wet coatings and creates ugly bumps in the dried finish. You can sand them out, but it's better to minimize that labor by minimizing dust sources. Clean up the work area and change out of the dusty clothes you wore while sanding. See how you can use a shop vacuum for dust collection.