How to Refinish a Black Armoire

Remove hardware from the armoire.

Brush the chemical stripper onto the entire surface of the armoire. Allow the stripping agent to sit on the paint for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. The paint will begin to bubble and separate from the wood.

Scrape the loosened paint from the armoire using a putty knife.

Sand off any remaining paint that was not removed by the stripper, using medium-grade sandpaper. If your armoire has carving and other details, it is likely that at least some sanding by hand will be necessary to remove all of the paint.

Sand the armoire, beginning with fine grade sandpaper and ending with extra-fine, until it is completely smooth.

Wipe down the armoire with a clean, damp cloth to remove all traces of sawdust. Allow the surface to dry completely.

Brush on a generous coat of wood stain, brushing with the grain of the wood. Allow the stain to sit for five to 15 minutes, depending on the darkness desired. Do not allow the stain to dry on the wood.

Wipe off the excess stain using a clean, dry cloth.

Apply a second coat of stain in the same manner, if a darker finish is desired. It is not necessary to allow the wood to dry in between coats of stain.

Allow the armoire to dry completely after staining is completed.

Wipe on a coat of polyurethane using a dry, lint-free cloth. Allow it to dry completely. Follow manufacturer instructions for drying time.

Lightly sand the coat of polyurethane with fine grade sandpaper.

Apply a second coat of polyurethane in the same manner as the first coat. It is not necessary to sand after this final coat.

Allow the armoire to dry completely, typically 36 to 38 hours, before replacing hardware and before using.