How to Refinish Distressed Wood

Clean the piece thoroughly with a sponge and mild soap and water. Remove all the dust and debris you can. Use a nylon scrub pad to scrub the cracks and crevices to remove built-up dirt and oil.

Paint chemical furniture stripper on the wood if it has a finish like lacquer or paint. Let the stripper remain on the wood for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. Remove the finish with a paint scraper.

Use a small, electric palm sander or sandpaper sponge -- 180 to 220 grit is suitable -- to sand the entire piece completely. Deeper is better when it comes to sanding distressed wood.

Vacuum the sanding dust off the piece, and then wipe it down with a soft cloth to remove any remaining dust.

Fill gouges and cracks with wood filler or putty, applying it with a putty or butter knife. Let it dry, and sand with fine-grit sandpaper to make it level with the surrounding area. Wipe off any residue with a soft cloth.

Stain the wood a darker color than it was to ensure uniformity in both the putty and the more heavily sanded areas. Use wood stain according to the manufacturer's instructions. Allow the piece to dry completely before finishing.

Coat the piece with polyurethane, lacquer or shellac, depending on your preference. Your piece might need two or three coats. Allow it to dry thoroughly between coats.