How to Finish Stained Cedar Furniture

Sand the surface of the stained cedar furniture to remove rough spots that may occur as a result of the wood grain rising during the staining process. This will be minimal, and you can use a 220-grit sandpaper, buffing the surface of the cedar lightly with back-and-forth strokes in the direction of the wood grain.

Brush on a penetrating wood sealer liberally with a paintbrush. Use long, even strokes and cover the entire piece of furniture evenly. Let the sealer soak in and dry.

Apply a finish coat, if desired. Finish coats, such as wood oils, varnish or shellac provide surface protection and add sheen to indoor cedar furniture, like blanket chests.

Stir the contents of a finish coat, such as varnish or shellac, with a paint stick until well blended.

Open windows for ventilation, and brush on a light application of the finish coat. Use a quality natural-bristle paintbrush, and brush in the same direction as the wood grain. Cover the entire piece of furniture and let the finish coat dry completely.

Lightly buff the surface of the furniture with 400-grit sandpaper. This is a very fine micro-grit sandpaper that will not remove the sheen of the finish coat but will smooth down tiny imperfections such as dust that settled on the wet surface and stuck.

Apply one or more additional finish coats in the same manner, buffing with the micro-grit sandpaper in between.