I can’t believe I’m about to show you this, because it’s rather embarrassing. But, we are all friends here, right? Okay then. Here it is,…my sad-looking dinner table. My water-logged, kid-scraped, food-caked dinner table.
Want a closer look?! {Gag}
I was sick of looking at it, so I took matters into my own hands. 
I think this was about the point I quit and let hubby take over… 😉
Better already.
I chose a dark stain and applied 3 coats with a FOAM paint brush. 
Then gently rubbed steel wool over the table to help smooth out the small mistakes.
To finish I added a polyurathene top-coat to protect the table.
So much better. {sigh of relief}
I wonder how long it will take for us to thrash it again? Here’s hoping it takes a while. 😉
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This project was super easy. If your table (or any furniture) needs a boost, you can totally do it! A few quick tips I learned along the way:
-Make sure you are staining on a day with good weather. No wind, not too hot, not too cold. Basically the stars need to align. 😉
-Use a power sander. If you don’t have one, borrow one. {thanks Jodi. sorry I had it for-ev-er.}.
-Let each coat dry completely before applying another coat of stain.
-Use a Foam Brush. Do NOT try using a normal paint brush.
-Do NOT shake your can of top-coat / polyurathane! This creates little air bubbles that will bubble all over your furniture. You will be tempted to shake it. Don’t.
*Do you have any refinishing tips? Let’s add to this list!*
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If painted projects are your style, make sure to check out our recent post on repainting furniture.
(We are participating in these linky parties…thanks!)
Courtney @ Pizzazzerie says
Been thinking about doing some refurbishing soon – yay!!!
.-= Courtney @ Pizzazzerie´s last blog ..Isaac’s 1st Birthday Bash =-.
Nickelle says
Shelley, You’re TabLe LooKs FaNtaStiC!!! :o)
I just re-did a desk that had been painted 3 different colors. (I found out when I was sanding….) I scruffed it up around the edges, etc. & then I use an old sock or rag to rub stain on. A little bit different from what you were doing. hmmmm…. I should do my Kitchen table next!
ashlee says
LOVELY! BOTH of my dining room tables are in TERRIBLE shape. I’ve been planning on redoing them this summer, but it got put off until my broken wrist heals and the remodeling is over. THANKS for the great tutorial and advice! I’d love it if you’d link up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday’s!
jayayceeblog says
You just rock with that power sander. Beautifully done!!!
Amy K says
Your table refurbish is gorgeous! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial. Please don’t be embarrassed; I really respect you authentic bloggers…keeping it real keeps me reading.
jennibell says
Wow, wow, wow!!!! My table looks worse (I promise) than that. . .and it is real, solid wood. . . I’m just afraid to do it. . .you may have inspired me. How long did it take, start-to-finish?
Jamie says
That looks fantastic! We did something similar with our kid-killed table, but went with a black paint instead. We’ve now gotten at least 4 more years out of it! The chairs were in terrible condition, so we bought new ones at Target. Everyone thought it was a completely new set!
Heather says
It looks amazing! You did such a good job. I find refinishing furniture such a stress relief….I’m weird, but I’m ok with it. 🙂
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Would anyone like some Paella =-.
TidyMom says
you did a FANTASTIC job Shelley!! It’s like a brand new table!
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..Etching Glass with the Silhouette =-.
Amber says
Wow that turned out great! I’m not quite there yet but I see this in my future.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Green Challange- Buy Nothing =-.
Julie says
I can’t believe how well you matched the color to the rest of the table. Mine is going to need it soon, but matching the existing color will be my biggest concern.
Megan Joy says
This looks great. Thanks for the tutorial. Ours needs done, but we’re waiting until number 3 has finished with the “my fork makes a cool noise when I bang it on the table” stage.
Kimberly Rubinstein says
I bought a cheap table from Goodwill because I didn’t want to invest alot of $ on one that we use so much every day. We covered the top with an antique world map (that was beautiful neutal colors) and we love it! It is fuctional, different and educational! We have enjoyed it for 3-4 years now and it hold up great witht he clear coat on top!
Julia says
What a great idea! I’m wondering what kind of adhesive and coating you used?
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Recipe for Whole White Wheat Swedish Pancakes Crepes =-.
rosie at 3rosebuds says
First-that table makeover is super amazing and wonderful!! Second-as I was reading your post, I am looking at my coffee table which looks a lot like your before picture—maybe I just added another project to my never ending list.
Sarah says
It looks wonderful!!! I can give you a tip: for a fun homeschooling tool we have a large map on our table that the kids love to discuss and look at whenever they pass by it…it is laminated but for extra protection we have a clear plastic tablecloth we purchased by the yard at Walmart. It works perfectly and now it is so much easier to clean up after dinners…just wanted to recommend a helpful idea for the tabletop, we have a family of 7 so ours looks just exactly like yours did, I would still like to rework it soon! 🙂
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..TOS Review- The Schoolhouse Planner Travel Around the World June 2010 =-.
Maria says
I did the same last summer – Mine was trashed with 7 kids! I would reccommend using an oil based polyurethane only because after years of wiping it down after every meal (and sometimes in between!) the water based poly got ‘gummy’. I knew it was time to refinish when the kids’ homework was sticking to the table!
Sarah says
Hmmm I was wondering how to de-gunk our table. It’s a very nice pedestal one from Freecycle.
Kim says
In the beginning, I liked the little nicks and scratches on our real wood farm table. It told a story, ya know? Now, after 6 kids, years of homeschooling and countless meals…it just looks worn out and exhausted. You have inspired me! If the ‘stars align’ this weekend…I’m going to give it a go! Thanks.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..A few of my favorite things =-.
Wendi says
Beautiful! Great job Shelley! This is exactly the inspiration I needed to fix my super embarrassing table! I, too, am unsure how to match the stain and how to blend it on the edges of the table – did you sand & stain them too? Thanks so much for the tips – I am SO doing this!
Christina says
Wow, I need to do this. Two tables with paint stains and lots of other issues could look good again!
Penny says
I can’t believe how many YEARS it took us to dare doing this. Wish we had done it sooner. I’m glad you jumped in and did it sooner, than later. Good job girl!
Lindsey@Kindred Spirit Mommy says
Wow,that looks so easy! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
.-= Lindsey@Kindred Spirit Mommy´s last blog ..16 Weeks Pregnant WW =-.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says
Your table looks 100% better! And such an inexpensive way to fix it – much cheaper than buying a NEW table. 🙂
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Why is his hand in his shirt =-.
Green Gracie Home says
looks great! They also sell a paint brush with a bright aqua/blue handle made for stain and poly that I love…I sometimes break my foam brushes with my super human strength 🙂
.-= Green Gracie Home´s last blog ..Wonderful Wednesdays =-.
Toni says
Here is one for the list, make sure your table is wood top not fake printed vanir on particle board.
Alice says
You have a beautiful “NEW” looking table now. You did a great job. Ummmm… Hubby too. I find reading blogs so educational and then it gives me the courage to do it myself after reading a blog like this. I think this is the reason blogging has been such a big hit the world over. People are helping people. Can you imagine how many people you have reached out to with just this one post? Can you imagine how many people will now have the courage to try this project after seeing your post. It fills my heart with joy to know that in this world with the economy so bad there is still something even better. Loving our neighbors by sharing our talents and helping each other. What a wonderful way to reach out and touch someone. Thanks for a great blog post.
Shelley says
Aww. This is the sweetest comment I think I’ve ever had. It totally made my day. Thanks for taking the time so say it. 🙂 You are my new BFF.
Michelle says
Great job. My table looks just like your “before” picture and I just have to get over my fear of polyurethane application…I can do it for results like yours!! Thanks for the tutorial!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Juggling =-.
gail says
your table looks great! I know it’s a lot of work, but it sure was worth it!
gail
.-= gail´s last blog ..Recent Comments & Questions August 7- 2010 =-.
Casey says
It looks great! I love finding furniture at garage sales that needs a little TLC and refinishing it. A few tips that are helpful: make sure to go with the grain of the wood and not against it for even staining and finish, also make sure to do as long of strokes as you can with your foam brush and keep the coats thin. The great thing about furniture is that if you dont like it you can always sand it off and start over 🙂
Sweet Bee Cottage says
Your table looks just like mine! We use it for meals, meetings, homework, you name it, we use it. My worry about refinishing mine is I originally had a hand wax finish put on it and I hated it. Hated it so much I made the shop where I had it done change it. I’ve wondering if that’s why the finish is coming off of mine. Well, I shared my sad story but yours certainly had a happy ending. Your table looks fabulous and it was worth the hard work.
Tricia Richner says
Now I have no reason not to redo my own! Thanks for the encouragement.
.-= Tricia Richner´s last blog ..Wood Monogrammed Letter – Letter F – Ready to Ship =-.
cfwilfert says
Thank you! I so needed these instructions. It really is easy. My table is in the same before condition. As soon as it cools down, I will be doing this!
Beth says
I soooo need to do this to my kitchen table, thanks for the inspiration!!
good luck on the trip….I have a 4 year old and 1 year old twins so I have an idea of that you’re about to go through. How long do you think it will take to pack the car??????
Hugs,
Beth
.-= Beth´s last blog ..T-Shirts =-.
Sherry says
Great finished project. My son has a table that looks a lot like your before picture and we were just talking about how to refurbish it. Thanks for the tips on the sander and not shaking the polyurethane. I will pass this on to him.
mlgarcia says
If you want a lighter color stain you can apply the stain and wipe off any access not absorbed after the first 5 minutes. Or just use 1 coat of your favorite color of stain. You can also mix colors for a one of a kind look. DO NOT mix water base and oil base!
A tip for making your urethane finish last longer. This will take a bit more time but absolutely worth it. After applying the 1st layer of urethane allow to dry, take a super fine grit sandpaper and sand lightly by hand. Wipe clean with cheese cloth. Apply second layer of urethane and again allow to dry. You can add as many as 6-8 layers of urethane this way and the finish lasts forever. Especially when the item of furniture gets tons of use. Love your site, lots of helpful hints. Keep up the great work!
Shelley says
Great information!!! Thanks for piping in!
Kendra says
I love your table.. I am now inspired to do a few projects and was wondering what color of stain did you use????
Shelley says
Miniwax English Oak. 🙂 Sorry that took me a while to look up.
Lloyd from OfficeDeskReviews Burrell says
That finished table looks fantastic, either you are very good at photography or that is one amazing makeover, I suspect it’s the latter. Are your services up for hire Shelly?!!
.-= Lloyd from OfficeDeskReviews Burrell´s last blog ..Bush Vantage Corner Desk with Storage Cabinet in Light Dragonwood =-.
Courtney says
Thank you so much for writing about this! We recently moved from California to North Carolina and my coffee table and two end tables got messed up in the move and I’ve been wanting to re-finish them but didn’t know how. Thanks again!
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