How to restore wooden furniture

How to restore wooden furniture

Nareele, Team member
View the video

Project Overview

If you’ve got old wooden furniture that’s seen better days, you’d be surprised how easy it is to restore it and give it a new lease of life. Whether it’s from coffee and wine stains, scratches and gouges or peeling varnish, we’ll show you the steps to bring that piece of wooden furniture back to looking like it’s brand new.

Continue to step-by-step instructions
clean paint brush
View the video
00:12
×

How to clean a paint brush

Here’s a great tip to save you time and mess while cleaning paint brushes. Use tin snips to cut a wire mesh panel into a rectangle. Bend the mesh into an arc shape and place it in the bucket, so that it’s wedged inside. Fill the bucket with water to cover the mesh. Now run your paintbrush back and forth over the mesh and the paint will come out quicker and easier.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Clean the table
2 Sand the table
3 Brush the dust off
4 Continue sanding
5 Use a finer grit sandpaper
6 Wipe the table with turps
7 Apply the first coat of varnish
8 Lightly sand the table
9 Apply the second coat of varnish
10 Job done

  • Step 1. Clean the table

    Use a damp cloth to thoroughly clean the table surface and remove any dirt or grime. Doing this before you sand will give you a smoother finish. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    person cleaning table with a cloth

  • Step 2. Sand the table

    To get rid of the varnish on the table, use a coarse sandpaper like 40 grit with an orbital sander. Sand the top and sides of the table. Make sure you regularly check the grit on the sandpaper and replace it when it’s worn. When you’re sanding, don’t forget your safety equipment and put drop sheets on the floor. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    person sanding table with an orbital sander

  • Step 3. Brush the dust off

    As you sand, regularly brush the dust off the table. This is so you can see how much more sanding you need to do on the surface. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    person brushing dust off table

  • Step 4. Continue sanding

    Continue sanding with the coarse grit sandpaper to strip the table back to its bare wood. Make sure you continue to check the grit on the sandpaper and replace it when necessary. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    person sanding table with orbital sander

  • Step 5. Use a finer grit sandpaper

    Once you’ve stripped the table back to bare wood, change the sandpaper to a finer grit, such as 240 grit. This will help you sand the table back until it’s smooth. Remember to always sand with the grain and brush the dust off the table.

    Previous Step Next Step
    person removing sanding pad from orbital sander

  • Step 6. Wipe the table with turps

    Wipe the table with mineral turpentine to remove any fine dust and residue that might still be on the table. When using turpentine put on your dust mask.

    Previous Step Next Step
    person wiping down table with mineral turpentine

  • Step 7. Apply the first coat of varnish

    After the table is dry, it’s time to apply the first coat of varnish. Stir the varnish thoroughly to get rid of any lumps. With a little varnish on your brush, apply it to the table, going with the grain. Keep an eye out for runs when you’re working around an edge or into a join. Smooth any runs out with the brush as they occur. Let the first coat dry thoroughly.

    Previous Step Next Step
    person applying varnish to table with paint brush

  • Step 8. Lightly sand the table

    Once the first coat of varnish has dried, give it a light sand with a fine sanding block. This will give you a smooth glossy finish. Wipe away any dust.

    Previous Step Next Step
    person lightly sanding table with sanding block

  • Step 9. Apply the second coat of varnish

    Stir the varnish thoroughly again before using it. Apply the varnish in nice long strokes, always following the grain. Let the varnish dry. 
    Previous Step Next Step
    person applying second coat of varnish

  • Step 10. Job done

    And there you go – a fantastic piece of wooden furniture restored to its former glory.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Job done

More D.I.Y. Advice

diy chalkboard cabinet hanging in the garage 01:27

Shelving & Storage D.I.Y. upcycled chalkboard cabinet We take an old cabinet and upcycle it into a handy chalkboard cabinet that will give you somewhere to store tools and a place to write lists or plans for your next project.

honeycomb wall shelves 02:23

Shelving & Storage How to make D.I.Y. honeycomb floating wall shelves These honeycomb floating wall shelves are a modern and stylish way to make a feature of any wall in your house. They’re easy to make and they’ll give a somewhere to show off your favourite things.

bathroom rejuvination 01:44

Ideas & Makeovers Learn how to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget Simple and affordable ways to give your tired bathroom a makeover.

roses in garden

Planting & Growing Winter garden ideas It may be cold outside in most parts of New Zealand but there are still a few things that need to be done in the garden at this time of the year. But if you can’t face going outside, you can always bring your garden inside suggests Bunnings horticul...

diy wood and concrete kitchen island 05:43

Outdoor Living D.I.Y. wood and concrete kitchen island You’d be surprised how easy it is to make this wooden and concrete kitchen island from just a few simple tools and materials.

Modern living room DIY makeover 01:29

Living Room How to give your living room a modern D.I.Y. makeover There are a few simple ways to freshen up a tired living room and make it a real feature in your home. You can create more space by knocking out a wall and updating the furnishings to fit. By adding floating cabinetry and open shelves, you’ll have m...

black diy wooden sofa arm table 02:49

Living Room D.I.Y. wooden sofa arm table A sofa arm table is a great addition if you’re short on space or don’t have a coffee table in your living area.

hampton kitchen

Ideas & Makeovers Hamptons sanctuary Bright, open and stylish are the hallmarks of the Hamptons Sanctuary. The island bench doubles as a workspace and breakfast bar, while the bamboo benchtops and window panel cupboards complete the look.

Top of the content