How to Refinish Oak Tabletops

Lay drop cloths to protect your workspace from stains and spills, and make sure you are working in a well ventilated area. Take safety precautions before starting your project by wearing goggles, rubber gloves and a respirator.

Remove the old finish on the tabletop using paint remover and varnish remover. Using a paintbrush, apply a generous amount of the paint and varnish remover by brushing in one direction only. Let the gel-like remover sit for a few hours until the surface is crinkled.

Use a plastic scraper or steel wool pad to remove the finish. When you've removed all the finish from the tabletop, wipe it down with mineral spirits to get rid of any residue from the stripper. Let the tabletop dry for about two days.

Sand the wood using 120-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough areas of the wood or places where the remover may have missed. Then smooth the table top with 220-grit paper. When sanding, go with the grain of the wood on the tabletop.

Use a rag or stiff paintbrush to apply grain filler to smooth the surface of the wood. Because oak has an open grain, select a color of grain filler that contrasts with your oak's hue to emphasize the wood grain. Otherwise, select a grain filler color that matches the color of the finish you'll be using. Let the filler dry according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Remove the grain filler using a plastic scraper. Hold the scraper at a slight angle to your table top. Lightly resand with grain, using the 120-grit paper.

Apply an oil-based stain with a rag or paintbrush, allowing it to penetrate the tabletop. Wipe off excess stain with a clean rag and allow the tabletop to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications. Repeat this step if you want a darker finish on your tabletop.

Apply an oil-based finish such as Danish finishing oil or tung oil to give your tabletop a softer appearance.