Do It Yourself Furniture Refinishing

Furniture refinishing is a great way to update the look of your home without spending a lot of money. It's also a fun and rewarding project that you can do yourself. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Choose the right furniture. Not all furniture is suitable for refinishing. Some pieces, such as those made of particleboard or MDF, are not durable enough to withstand the process. It's best to choose solid wood furniture that is in good condition.

2. Gather your supplies. You will need the following supplies to refinish your furniture:

Sandpaper
Wood filler
Primer
Paint or stain
Polyurethane

3. Prepare the furniture. The first step is to prepare the furniture for refinishing. This involves cleaning it thoroughly with a mild detergent and water. Once the furniture is clean, allow it to dry completely.

4. Sand the furniture. Once the furniture is dry, you need to sand it to remove the old finish. Start with coarse-grit sandpaper and gradually work your way to finer-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand in the direction of the wood grain.

5. Fill in any holes or dents. Once the furniture is sanded, you need to fill in any holes or dents. You can do this with wood filler. Apply the wood filler to the holes or dents with a putty knife and allow it to dry completely.

6. Prime the furniture. Once the wood filler is dry, you need to prime the furniture. Primer helps to create a smooth surface for the paint or stain to adhere to. Apply the primer to the furniture with a brush or roller and allow it to dry completely.

7. Paint or stain the furniture. Once the primer is dry, you can paint or stain the furniture. If you are painting the furniture, apply two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. If you are staining the furniture, apply one coat of stain and allow it to dry completely. You can then apply a second coat of stain if desired.

8. Apply polyurethane. Once the paint or stain is dry, you need to apply polyurethane to protect the finish. Polyurethane is a clear finish that helps to protect the furniture from scratches and wear. Apply two coats of polyurethane, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

Refinishing furniture is a relatively simple project that can be completed in a weekend. By following these tips, you can update the look of your home without spending a lot of money.