How to Paint a White Desk to Natural Wood

Apply a thick coat of chemical paint stripper to the entire surface of the desk and allow it to sit undisturbed for the amount of time recommended in the manufacturer's instructions. When the surface of the paint appears to be bubbling, it is usually ready to remove.

Use a putty knife to scrape away the paint. If the stripper has set long enough, the putty knife should easily cut through the paint to the surface of the wood. If scraping the paint is difficult, let the stripper set for a little longer.

Bring the surface of the desk to a smooth finish by going over it with medium then fine-grain sandpaper. The chemical paint stripper should have removed most of the white paint so you can use the medium and fine-grain sandpaper to smooth away any nicks or scratches in the desk and to bring out the grain in the wood.

Select a wood stain to use on your newly sanded desk. If you like light finishes, choose a pine or oak stain. For darker, richer color select something like cherry, walnut or mahogany.

Apply a light coat of wood stain to the desk using a soft brush. Brush the stain on in the direction of the wood grain and wipe away the excess using a clean cloth.

Allow the first coat of wood stain to dry before applying a second coat. This can take anywhere from 18 to 24 hours.

Apply a second coat of stain, brushing it on like the first coat and wiping away the excess. You will see the color of the wood begin to deepen as you add the second coat. If you like the resulting color, finish the second coat and allow it to dry. If you want a deeper, richer, hue you can add a third coat or more, depending on your preference.

Coat the entire surface of the desk with a layer of clear varnish or polyurethane. Varnish and polyurethane come in aerosol spray cans and paint-on formula, but spray varnish is the easiest to use and it often dries more quickly because the coverage is lighter.

Allow the first coat of varnish to dry completely then apply a second coat, if you desire. The drying time for varnish and polyurethane varies so consult the manufacturer's instructions for an estimate.