Table Triumph: Refinishing for a Stunning Dining Space
As autumn embraces us and the festive season beckons, we embarked on a long-anticipated project we’ve been procrastinating: giving our dining room table a fresh lease on life. While it might sound like a considerable undertaking, we managed to complete it over the course of a few weeks, just in time for the upcoming holiday gatherings.
Our dining table, having seen its fair share of years, had endured numerous layers of furniture polish, laden with silicones, waxes, and other chemicals. Over time, this accumulation had taken a toll on its appearance. It had also braved several moves, endured years of use, and even a mischievous late canine companion who left his mark by chewing on its legs. With these factors in mind, I decided to delve into some research to determine the most effective method to breathe new life into our beloved table.
I began the restoration process by disassembling the table and relocating it to our garage. I applied Klean-Strip Paint & Varnish Remover, promising to strip away varnish and stains within 15 minutes. To my surprise, it performed as advertised, though I had to apply multiple coats in certain areas to fully remove the varnish.
Next, I utilized a 3M refinishing pad along with Klean-Strip Green Paint Thinner to eliminate any remaining residues and varnish from the wood. After the wood dried, I employed my trusty DeWalt Random Orbital Sander to smooth things out. Starting with a 60 grit, I gradually progressed down to a 180 grit for a beautifully smooth finish. While I used to go as far as 320 grit in the past, I’ve recently learned that going below 180 can affect how well the wood takes the stain. Given the importance of this piece in our home, I aimed for the best possible result.
Having recently stained our door with Behr English Chestnut, we decided to maintain consistency by using the same color for our table. This warm, inviting shade closely resembled the table’s original hue. However, the trickiest part of the process lay in the application of polyurethane. It’s notorious for long drying times and the potential to leave unsightly streaks. After extensive research, I opted for a wipe-on polyurethane in a satin finish. Many online sources vouched for its ease of application and streak-free results. I applied three coats, which, while yielding a superb finish, it did still leaves streaks streaks that I plan to address later. I will be sure to provide an update for you when I do.
Once everything was dry, we reassembled the table, and the results were truly gratifying. The table exudes a warm radiance with its new brown stain, harmoniously complementing the colors of the chairs, walls, and other elements in our dining room. We managed to complete this transformation just in time for a delightful dinner party we have planned with some dear friends.
