How to Refinish an Oak Vanity

Sand the vanity. Using 400 grit sandpaper, go over the wood to smooth the surface. Four hundred grit sandpaper will not scratch the wood. Use your hands to feel for uneven areas as you sand.

Wipe down with paint thinner. Using a white lint-free cloth, add the paint thinner to the cloth and wipe it over the wood to remove the dust particles from sanding.

Add stain. If you decide to stain the wood, apply the stain using a two-inch brush. Keep a cloth close by to collect runs. Do not saturate the brush with stain. Brush on the stain keeping with the grain of the wood. Wipe off any excess stain. Once you have stained the wood, let it dry for 24 hours. If you do not stain the wood, move to step 4.

Add sanding sealer. Using a new two-inch paintbrush, put the sanding sealer on following the grain of the wood. Brush lightly with long strokes, so you do not create stops in the application. Work quickly because sanding sealer sets up quickly. Sanding sealer dries within two hours creating a smooth surface for your polyurethane.

Sand the sanding sealer after you have allowed at least 2 hours for the sanding sealer to set up. You may want to wait 24 hours if conditions are humid. Lightly sand the sanding sealer using the 400 grit sandpaper. Run your hand along the wood to feel for rough areas as you sand.

Apply a second coat of sanding sealer. Because oak is open grained wood, two coats will help seal the wood. Wipe down the vanity with a light coat of paint thinner on a clean white cloth before the second application. Do not saturate the cloth. Let the sanding sealer dry for 24 hours to create a hard surface.

Sand the sanding sealer again with the 400 grit sandpaper. You now have a smooth surface ready for the polyurethane. Wipe down the vanity with the paint thinner.

Apply the polyurethane. Using a new two-inch brush, apply the polyurethane. Follow the grain of the wood and use long brush strokes. Be careful not to stop in the middle of the brush stroke. Wait 24 hours and apply a second coat. Lightly sand with the 400 grit sandpaper in between the applications. Let the vanity sit for 48 hours before using it.