How to Sand & Shellac a Table

Remove any exposed metal fittings from the table such as drawer pulls.

Apply a thin coat of paint or lacquer thinner sparingly to the table to remove the current finish. Use an old paintbrush to apply, allow to set for according to the manufacturer's instructions, then wipe away completely with a clean, damp cloth. Thinner can be purchased at home improvement or hardware stores in the paint aisle. Scrape thick areas of paint away with a plastic putty knife or old credit card.

Sand the table thoroughly with 120-grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper with the grain of the wood until the entire surface has been covered.

Sand the table with finer grit sandpaper to give the wood a smooth surface. Rub the sandpaper with the grain of wood.

Dust the table with a damp sponge to remove all sanded particles. Vacuum the table to ensure debris has been completely removed. Allow table to dry for 20 minutes.

Pour a small amount of shellac on the surface of the table. Use a 1-inch sponge applicator to evenly spread the shellac. Pour additional shellac as needed until the table has been completely coated with a thin layer. After shellac has been applied, wrap the applicator in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Allow the table to sit and dry for four hours.

Apply a second coat of shellac in the same manner. Allow to dry for four hours. Apply additional coats as desired.

Replace metal fixtures. Apply a coat of wax or furniture polish to protect the table's surface. Always let the final coat dry for a minimum of 72 hours before use.