Darkening the color of your dining can be done in a weekend.
Dining room furniture really sets the tone in a home from a guest's perspective. Dark furniture gives a different feeling than light furniture, both in the amount of light and brightness in the room and in the level of elegance in the room. Staining your furniture a darker shade is a labor-intensive but relatively straightforward job that requires more elbow grease than home improvement experience. Any furniture owner should be able to refinish his furniture without needing any tools and by purchasing just a few supplies. The change in the room's feel after application of the stain will by dynamic and immediate.
Instructions
1. Disassemble all pieces of the dining room furniture, removing chair cushions and table leaves until the table and chairs are separated into their component parts. Sand every surface of each part with medium-grit sandpaper, sanding in smooth, even patterns along the wood grain. Continue to sand until the old stain has been mostly removed. Wipe down each surface with a cloth to remove all wood dust.
2. Set each piece of the furniture on top of blocks or boards which have been laid down over newspaper to prevent stain from dripping on the floor. Apply stain to the furniture pieces using a paintbrush and brushing with even, smooth strokes going in the direction of the wood grain and the sanding direction. Apply the stain lightly rather than heavily to avoid pools, drips and stain buildup. Lift the furniture to apply the stain to the areas touching the floor supports.
3. Allow the stain to dry for four hours and then lightly sand the surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe the furniture clean, and apply another thin coat of stain. Repeat the process until the furniture is the proper darkness.
4. Allow the stain to dry fully for at least six hours, and then lightly sand the furniture. Wipe the furniture, and then apply the sealant to the furniture in the same manner as the stain, using thin coats. Apply the sealant in smooth, even strokes, working in the same direction as the stain and sanding.
5. Allow the first coat of polyurethane to dry for four hours before lightly sanding again and applying a second coat. Continue to sand and apply at least four coats due to the heavy use of these pieces of furniture, applying more if the furniture is used very often and used roughly.
6. Allow the furniture to dry overnight, then reassemble it in its original arrangement.
Tags: room furniture, , Apply stain, Continue sand, dining room, four hours