How to Refinish French Provincial Furniture

Sanding

• 1

  Use the paint stripper to remove any paint or previous finish. Many pieces of French provincial style have been painted, particularly the cheaper lines that were not made of solid wood.

• 2

  Choose your sandpaper. Rough grit (50-80) is for removing old paint or finish. Finer grits are for a second sanding and smoothing. Choose the grit dependent on the condition of your piece, taking into consideration any scratches or nicks in the wood.

• 3

  Attach the sandpaper to the sanding block. This gives you a better grip on the sandpaper and give you a more level surface. The sanding block is ideal for the flat parts of the furniture, such as the sides and tops of a dresser or armoire. If you are refinishing a chair, you may want to skip the sanding block.

• 4

  Use the sandpaper by hand on the legs and arms of French provincial furniture. They have curves and details that require intricate sanding. These features are difficult to make and what sets this style apart from the stuff you can easily buy at a big box store.

• 5

  Sand in the direction of the grain using firm, even strokes until you have removed any traces of old paint or finish and it is smooth.

• 6

  Finish the sanding process with a fine grit sandpaper (150-180) or (220-280) to smooth out the piece and ready it for the application of a finish or stain.

• 7

  Use the tack cloth to remove all traces of dust from the furniture, paying special attention to the details and carvings of chair arms and legs.

Applying Finish

• 8

  Apply the first coat of finish or stain with the natural or synthetic bristle brush, using light even strokes going with the grain.

• 9

  Use the foam paintbrush to smooth out any visible lines left by the bristle brush. This can also be used to thin out any extra finish or stain that accumulates in the carved details.

• 10

  Allow the piece to dry thoroughly before distressing or using.