Expert-Approved Tips To Take An Outdated Table To Refinished Showstopper

Not a lot of people can see potential in old, worn-out furniture. Hence why it's easier than ever to score an outdated table for free, or for a few dollars at most. Some dump their tables on the curb; others get rid of theirs on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You might even be fortunate enough to find a damaged antique table for a fraction of its original price at a thrift store. The point is, there's always a way to bring furniture back to life even if you hate the finish. We spoke exclusively to Bob Beacham, House Digest's expert carpenter and remodeler, to show you how.

With over a decade of experience under his belt, Beacham's number one advice is to prepare well. You'll obviously need a handful of tools and supplies when refinishing a table, so have everything ready. "If you use brushes, make sure they are in good condition," advises Beacham. "Few things are more annoying than trying to remove hairs from the finish." Also, keep safety in mind. "Always work in a well-ventilated space. Wear eye protection and a dust mask," he continues. Another one of his suggestions is to use nitrile gloves (like these disposable FifthPulse gloves) so your hands don't end up the same color as the table. Now that the basics are out of the way, let's talk about how to refinish an outdated table like a pro.

"Although some products say they will work over an existing finish, if you want a smooth, professional result, it needs to be removed," Beacham told us exclusively. This is where sanding or stripping paint from wood comes into play. While sanding an entire table requires strong arms, chemical strippers have a bad rep for being toxic. Here's what Beacham has to say:

"A stripper might appear easier but may require more than one treatment," he explains. "Most are unpleasant, some are hazardous, so read the instructions carefully." On the other hand, Beacham says that sanding encourages you to look more closely at the piece and potentially be more thorough. Although time-consuming and laborious, it's safer to do it manually since an orbital sander might be too aggressive on your table. The trick is to wrap sandpaper around a block of scrap wood and work in the direction of the wood grain. This will keep you from creating unsightly scratches across the surface.

Another thing to note: "Sanding veneered wood needs to be done with great care because if you go through to the plywood or particle board underneath, it is almost impossible to repair." In this case, you're better off using a stripper. Just give it a light rub with fine sandpaper (240 to 300 grit) after to ensure a smooth finish before painting or staining. Not sure whether your table is real or faux wood? Beacham suggests looking at the grain direction on the top and see if it continues the same over the edge. "If it changes direction, it may be veneer."

Refurbishing your wooden furniture doesn't have to be hard — not when you follow Beacham's mantra: "Do not rush." Once you've removed all of the old finish using your chosen method, take the time to fix dents and fill in cracks with wood putty. Then, sand these repaired surfaces smooth.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, the expert also recommended cleaning the table and letting it dry before attempting to finish. He adds: "Follow all instructions precisely." This means allowing adequate time for the finish to dry between coats and before use, which Beacham says can take several days for some finishes to fully harden.

More importantly, don't forget to dust after sanding if you don't want it to settle on your finish and ruin it. Beacham even urges to clean the table thoroughly, then leave the room overnight before finishing it. "It can be surprising how much extra dust will settle by the morning," he says. Use a damp cloth to tackle the remaining dust. "I know this sounds fastidious, but it can be the difference between a pristine smooth finish and one that's full of little speckles."