How to Restain a Tabletop

Apply the appropriate stripper using a shop rag. Make sure to put down a drop cloth or tarp to prevent damage to your floor. If your table has etching or intricate woodworking, make sure to get stripper deep within any cracks. The type of stripper to use depends on what kind of varnish is on your tabletop. Mineral spirits or turpentine can remove varnish like shellac or lacquer, but polyurethane requires a more specialized stripper.

Allow the stripper to soak in and scrub away the varnish or polyurethane. A good stripper will easily remove most of the finishing coat on any surface. Repeat applying stripper if necessary, and allow the surface to dry when the finish is removed.

Sand the table surface to remove any remaining finish. You can do this by hand but a power sander will speed up the process. Sanding away a thin layer will open up the wood and take away the existing stain. You only need to sand enough to expose bare, unstained wood. However, you can sand further to remove any dents or deeps scratches in the wood to smooth out your tabletop. Use a damp rag to remove any dust as you work. The surface must be completely clean before applying your new stain.

Soak part of a clean rag with your stain and evenly apply it to the fresh table surface. You will immediately see a difference in color. Be sure to avoid letting any drops of stain soak in or you will end up with a splotched table surface. You can use a thicker coat to get deeper color but you do not need to overuse your stain.

Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours or according to the directions on your stain. If you want to seal your table, add a coat of polyurethane or varnish to protect it from liquids.