How to Finish a Wood Table

If you can pick up a paint brush, then you can easily finish a wood table. Finishing your table yourself will save you money because finished furniture can be quite expensive when compared to unfinished pieces. The tools you need to accomplish the task are relatively inexpensive, and the finished piece will make you proud of your efforts. You can choose a color of stain that will bring out the beauty of your table and its surroundings, and you can use any finish to suit your particular needs.

Rubber gloves
Paint brush
Sandpaper 80, 100, 150, 180 and 240 grit
Tack rag or lint-free cotton rag
Stain
Varnish
Pate wax (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Take your table to a well ventilated work area. Sand out imperfections in the wood, working with the grain. Sand with course sandpaper (80-grit), then use a finer (higher grit) sandpaper until the defects disappears. Sand until the surface is smooth and level.
- 2
  Apply a coat of oil-based stain on walnut, mahogany or oak using a paint brush or rag. Apply a gel stain on other woods to prevent blotches and uneven coloring. Wipe off excess stain while it is still wet.
- 3
  Apply a coat of urethane oil or water-based varnish. Brush with the grain of the wood. Use even strokes and make sure there are no bubbles. Dry overnight in a warm room.
- 4
  Sand the area with 240-grit sandpaper. Dust off with a tack rag, then apply another coat of varnish. Wait for the varnish to dry. Re-sand the table top with the 240-grit sandpaper. Dust off again with the tack rag. Apply another coat of varnish and allow it to dry. Apply wax to the table after the varnish has dried.

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