Dining tables are the focal point of many homes. The table is where families gather to share their meals and forge memories. It’s also the place where we host guests for dinner and holiday celebrations, and host family gatherings around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Table tops can easily be scratched, marred or stained with food or various liquids. This can take away from the beauty of your table, or even pose a safety hazard if bacteria is allowed to grow on the surface of the table top.
We’ve put together a list of steps for how you can refinish your dining room table at home so it looks as good as new!
Learn How To Refinish A Table Top
The first step to refinish your dining room table top is to purchase a wood stain, preferably one in the same color family as your original table. You’ll also need an appropriate sealant and some water.
Next, you’ll want to inspect your table top for damage. Check for any scratches, dents, or stains that need to be removed before you stain the tabletop.
Once you’ve finished inspecting your table and removed any damaged pieces of wood, clean the surface with water and a dry cloth to remove any dust or debris.
Now, apply the sealant all over the surface of the table with a paint roller or brush. Be sure not to apply the sealant too thickly or it can leave marks in whatever color you choose for your new table top.
Allow it to dry for about 2 hours before applying the stain. The sealant should protect your surface from absorbing too much of the stain so there are no blotches left on your newly stained table top. Allow it to dry overnight and do a final inspection before completing your project with a clear coat sealant if desired.
Get Supplies
First, you’ll need to gather the supplies you’ll need for this project. Table refinishing kits are available for purchase at your local home improvement store. They usually come with a sanding pad and a sealer that will help protect your table from future scratches and spills. You may also want to invest in protective gloves and goggles to wear while working on your table.
Next, you’ll need to thoroughly clean your table of any dirt or debris. There are many different ways you can clean it: – use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface – use a vacuum or broom to get rid of dust, hair, dust bunnies, etc – if there is any residue on the table top, place a small amount of dish soap on the spot and scrub it away with a sponge or rag
Sandpaper
Start with the rough side, which has a sandpaper grit of 100. This will remove the top layer of the table and make it smooth.
This table was starting to show wear and tear from frequent use so we started by sanding it with the rough side of the sandpaper. We did this to remove any scratches, nicks or other marks that could have been left on the table top. This gave it a fresh start and made it easier for us to refinish the table.
Resurfacer
The first step when refinishing your table is to use a resurfacer. This will help to remove any stains, scratches and watermarks. Make sure you read the directions on the can of resurfacer you are using so that you know what steps to take for the best results.
We recommend using a sanding block or fine grit sandpaper to smooth out any remaining scratches in your table top from the resurfacer step.
Scraper
The first step in refinishing a dining room table is to use a scraper to remove any leftover adhesive or wax from the surface. This will make the rest of the process easier and ensure that no residue is left behind.
Gloves
, Disinfectant, Dining Table
– Wear gloves and use a disinfectant if you have an old table that was used for food.
- Remove anything from the table surface you don’t want to get ruined. This includes placemats, cloth mats, or even candles.
- Fill a bucket halfway with water and add a generous amount of dishwashing detergent. You can also use a professional cleaner like TSP (trisodium phosphate).
- Pour this mix over the dining room table surface using a clean mop or rag. Leave it on for 30 minutes before wiping it off with clean water and a rag.
- Use paper towels or rags to dry the area as much as you can before moving to the next step. It’s best to let the table air dry in between steps so any remaining moisture evaporates naturally.
Prep The Surface And Apply The Resurfacer
Begin by sanding the surface of your table top. Use a sander with a coarse grain to remove old varnish, lacquer and paint, as well as any other surface damage.
Next, use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust from the surface of the table. You should also wipe down your surface with a damp cloth or sponge (or other cleaning agent) to remove moisture, dust and dirt that may have accumulated on it.
Then apply a thin layer of resurfacer to the table top. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for drying times and don’t place any objects on your table until it has fully dried.
Remove any excess resurfacer with a scraper
Before you refinish your dining room table, you’ll need to remove any excess resurfacer with a scraper. Using a putty knife or scraper, work the resurfacer off gradually, removing it in small pieces. Pay close attention to any corners or seams where the resurfacer might be stuck on more tightly.
Conclusion
Thanks to this tutorial, you now know how to refinish your dining room table. Refinishing a table is a quick and easy way to give your old furniture a new lease on life.
This process might be a little more involved than simply painting a surface, but the results are well worth it.