Unfinished solid wood table and chairs
Finishing your dining room table can be the right decision if you are trying to achieve a specific color or if you want to match the piece to something you already have. There are many stores and companies that sell solid wood furniture right off their sales floor or from a catalog that are completely bare of any stain or top coat finish. This leaves you completely open to all creative possibilities.
Instructions
Preparing the Table
1. Find a well-lit and a well-ventilated area with lots of air flow. Basements with large windows that can be opened or a clean garage where the temperature stays around 65 degrees works well.
2. Take the legs off the table skirting, if possible. Put the table top up on two saw horses. If the table has leaves, expand the table and spread the leaves out. Place the legs onto a solid surface work table.
3. Sand the surface. If the dining table you are finishing is made of hardwood, like oak or maple, use a 150 grit sandpaper and lightly sand the table top, sanding in the same direction as the grain. If the table is a soft wood, like pine or alder, use a 220 grit sandpaper to sand, always going with the grain. Using an electric sander makes this process easier and quicker, just be sure to go over the wood lightly, not pressing too hard, to avoid sanding marks. Sand the legs by hand only.
4. Use a tack cloth to go over the entire table surface and legs. Pick up all the sawdust from the sanding. Pay particular attention to removing all sawdust. Staining over sawdust particles can cause your table's final look to look bumpy.
Staining and Sealing the Table
5. Using a 2 or 3 inch foam brush, apply a coat of stain, brushing in the same direction as the grain. Using part of the old T-shirt, wipe the stain clean, wiping in the direction of the grain. Stain the table in sections, applying the stain and wiping it clean each time. When the table is completely stained, allow it to dry for 24 hours if you are using an oil-based stain, and 12 hours for a water-based stain.
6. Using another foam brush, apply a thin coat of oil- or water-based polyurethane (depending on which stain you used) over all surfaces. The polyurethane should not be wiped off like the stain. Allow 24 hours for the poly to dry.
7. Buff the table with the buffing pad to smooth out the grain that has been brought to the surface by the poly. Go in the direction of the grain. Then, use a tack cloth to go over the table to clean up the dust.
8. Apply another coat of polyurethane. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Buff again, and clean again with the tack cloth.
Add a third coat of polyurethane. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Buff one last time and then wipe down the entire table with a damp cloth. Adding three coats of polyurethane ensures your table will be silky and smooth.
9. Replace the legs back onto the skirting, tightly screwing them in place.
Tags: direction grain, Allow hours, tack cloth, Allow hours Buff, brush apply