Can You Put Paint Thinner on a Wood Table?

Cleaning

• Clean, soft cloths moistened with paint thinner can be used to clean the surface of a wood table. The paint thinner works to dissolve built-up wax, dirt, polish, grime or oil. Avoid using too much paint thinner or scrubbing too hard, as that can strip parts of the protective coating of the table and require refinishing the surface.

Staining

• Wetting the wood table with a clean cloth dipped in paint thinner allows you to see what the table looks like without staining. If you want a darker finish, simply choose a darker stain. Once the stain is dry, you can re-wet the wood with paint thinner to see if you like the finish or need to make adjustments.

Sanding

• Sanding wood tables is a common necessity when dealing with rough wood or refinishing a piece. Wet the wood with paint thinner to make imperfections and rough spots easier to see, without running the risk of getting splinters by using your bare hands to feel the wood. Some imperfections may hide, even under the wet wood.

Sealing

• Mix one part paint thinner to one part polyurethane for the first coat to cause the mixture to dry faster than polyurethane alone. The second or third coat should not be thinned to create a solid and protective seal over the wood. Polyurethane will protect the wood table from scratches, nicks and liquid damage.