Who wants to refinish a table? If that’s you, you’re in luck—we refinished two dining tables using muscle, no chemical strippers, and a lot of sanding. It’s a great example of how easy it can be to revive thrifted or hand-me-down furniture and save money compared with buying new pieces.
Why Refinish a Table?
We needed two dining tables for our duplex rental since each unit has its own dining area. One table was a Crate & Barrel hand-me-down with a scratched cherry finish that had been put off for years. The other was my sister’s vintage farmhouse table—solid, sturdy, and perfectly sized, but well worn from everyday use.
Both tables were excellent candidates for refinishing because they were solid wood. If a table has laminate or veneer, the process and expected results change, but solid wood responds very well to sanding and staining. Since both pieces already showed wear, we weren’t afraid to sand them down to the bare wood.
Tools and Materials
We prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, so our refinishing process used sanding and simple finishing products. For this method you’ll need:
- Electric sander (random orbital or palm sander)
- 80-grit (coarse) and 120-grit (fine) sandpaper
- Tack cloth or damp paper towels to remove dust
- Shop vacuum or leaf blower for cleanup (optional)
- Stain-grade paintbrushes and rags
- Wood stains in your chosen colors
- Water-based polyurethane or sealer for protection
- Mask and nitrile gloves for safety
Those last items help keep you comfortable and the workspace clean while you sand and apply finishes.
Step 1: Sand a Test Spot
We started cautiously by removing and sanding the top of one leg to see what wood was underneath and how deeply the old stain penetrated. That’s a useful test: it reveals the wood tone you’ll be working with and gives you a hidden spot to experiment on if you don’t like the look.
The test went very well and gave us the confidence to move forward with sanding the entire tables.
Step 2: Sand Off the Old Finish
We removed the old finish in small sections, always sanding with the grain. We began with coarse 80-grit paper to strip the finish and reveal the lighter wood below. The battery-operated sander we owned worked, but the progress was slow. Upgrading to a more powerful corded random orbital sander made the job faster and produced a more even result.
The stronger sander was especially helpful removing factory finishes and deep stains and for tackling stubborn scratches.
Step 3: Smooth Out Scratches and Dents
Once the bulk of the finish was off, the orbital sander helped smooth out gouges and scratches on the farmhouse table. Working patiently and occasionally slowing down to sand edges and legs by hand ensured consistent results across all surfaces.
Altogether, sanding both tables took a few hours, mainly because of all the legs and aprons that needed attention.
Step 4: Finish Sanding with Fine Grit
After removing the old finish, give the tables a final pass with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and prepare it for stain or sealer. This step helps eliminate visible sanding marks and evens out the tabletop surface before finishing.
Step 5: Clean Off Sanding Dust
Before staining or sealing, remove all dust and debris. We used a leaf blower outdoors to clear most of the dust and then wiped the surfaces with a tack cloth. A shop vacuum and a damp rag work equally well indoors.
Step 6: Apply Stain and Sealer
We transported the stripped tables to the duplex and tested finishes in the space so we could judge colors under real lighting. For the farmhouse table we liked the raw look and opted to clear-seal it, which deepened the tone slightly while preserving the wood grain. We applied one coat of water-based sealer followed by a more durable “triple thick” top coat for extra protection and a satin finish.
The result preserved the character and grain of the wood while protecting it for daily use.
The finished table fits the room well and complements nearby wood elements in the space.
Step 7: Layer Stains If Needed
The Crate & Barrel table revealed red undertones when we tried only a clear sealer, which wasn’t the look we wanted. We started with a warm brown stain but found it still read a bit too red after drying. To cool the tone, we applied a light wash of a gray stain over the brown, wiping it off quickly so it wouldn’t become too gray. Layering stains in this way can neutralize undesired undertones while letting the wood’s natural variation show through.
After the layered stains dried, we finished with two coats of water-based sealer for protection. The result preserved the wood grain and achieved the cooler brown tone we wanted.
With new lighting, chairs, and fixtures in place, both dining rooms feel refreshed. The refinished tables look like quality, intentional pieces rather than patched-up hand-me-downs.
Overall, we were relieved the projects turned out so well. Apart from the cost of a better sander, sealers, stains, and the small discount on the farmhouse table from family, the refinishing route saved us significantly compared with buying two new dining tables.
Alternate: Paint the Furniture
If refinishing doesn’t give the look you want, painting is a great alternative. Painting works well on solid wood and there are also reliable techniques for painting veneer or laminate surfaces. Painting lets you change color and update a table’s style without the same level of sanding and staining.
For more furniture makeovers and DIY projects, explore categories dedicated to furniture upgrades and refinishing ideas.
*This post originally included product references to tools and finishes used in our projects.*