# How to Remove Old Household Wax From Dusting a Coffee Table Before Refinishing It
Before you can apply a new finish to an old piece of wood furniture, you should remove the old finish. If your coffee table has a wax finish, it is essential that you remove it before proceeding. Wax works as a resist, meaning it prevents water from touching the furniture's wood. The same qualities that keep your coffee table safe from water also prevent paint or stain from working properly. Apply paint or stain over wax and your new finish will begin peeling off almost as soon as it dries -- if it dries at all.
Things You'll Need
- Protective glasses
- Rubber commercial wax stripper
- Bucket
- Wood paint stirrer
- 3-inch paintbrush
- Plastic paint scraper
- Dust mask
- Electric sander with fine-grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
Instructions
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1
Put on protective glasses and gloves. Mix the stripper with warm water according to the manufacturer's directions. Different manufacturers have different ratios, so follow the directions on the package to mix.
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2
Stir the mixture with the wooden paint stirrer to blend it. It will be a translucent milky color when it is blended.
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3
Brush the mixture onto the table with the paintbrush. Apply a thick, even coat and allow the mixture to sit for the time recommended by the manufacturer. In most cases, this is 30 minutes.
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4
Scrape away the wax with the paint scraper. When you have scraped the entire table, let it dry overnight.
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5
Put on the dust mask. Sand the entire table the sander. Wipe down the table with the tack cloth, then stain or paint as desired.
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