Guest Blog Post - Debbie's Tips on Refinishing Wood Furniture

I got this beautiful, wood corner table built in 1956 from a friend who was going to get rid of it.  It had some water stains, burn marks, and general wear and tear on it. I asked the Amazing Debbie how to take care of all of these problems and fix this table up like new but still give it a used, "lived-in" feel. 

Here were, and are, Debbie's Tips on Refinishing Wood Furniture: 

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Debbie's Steps For Refinishing Wood Furniture

   Step One: Assessment  - 

We need to talk about what is going on with the piece right now.   What is it covered with... Polyurethane, Tung Oil , wax, shellac, lacquer, etc?  It seems to have some stains on it... are they old water stains or burns?  Are there lots of nicks and scrapes on the top or the legs?  Does the drawer slide well?  Is it dovetailed or just nailed together?  Is the top attached to the base firmly?  Are the legs loose?  How is it built underneath?  
 

   Step Two: Preparation -

After you assess it, you need to wash it down with some Murphy's Oil Soap or very mild (Ivory) liquid soap and a soft t-shirt cloth.  Then you can see what was dirt and what is a stain or abrasion.  If you can describe the coating on the piece then you can figure out how to get it off so that you can either stain or paint it. Old paint or coating either needs to come off or significantly roughed up before you can do anything.  

  Step Three: Removing Stains - 

"Wood furniture takes special care. That’s why so many of us use covers and coasters and take other means to protect our wood pieces. When accidents do happen, a white water stain or ring is left behind. This doesn’t have to be the end of your furniture, however. There are steps you can take to rectify the damage, and hopefully, save your wooden piece from the dumpster." (Not Debbie's words! - The tips on Removing Stains is something Debbie has compiled over the years and has come from many sources). Check out the Removing Stains tips below!

  Step Four: Sanding - 

Go for the light sanding with 150 grit sandpaper and an orbit sander for the top and sides.  Just use your hand and strips of sandpaper that make it all the way around the legs. 

  Step Five: Staining/Painting - 

If you like a white color, it would be great to put a white water-based stain on so that the grain shows through since it really has a pretty grain.  Though you have to decide whether that would be "shabby chic" enough for you.  I like the White Wash Pickling Stain  but there are other color options that may be interesting. For more information and wood stain options check out the Minwax Stains Color Guide. 

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Removing Stains on Wood Furniture 

Removing Water Rings from Wood Furniture 

Wood furniture takes special care. That’s why so many of us use covers and coasters and take other means to protect our wood pieces. When accidents do happen, a white water stain or ring is left behind. This doesn’t have to be the end of your furniture, however. There are steps you can take to rectify the damage, and hopefully, save your wooden piece from the dumpster.  


1. Gentle buffing is the key for fresh white water marks. As soon as you see the mark appear, try rubbing gently until the stain disappears. It’s important to act quickly so the water doesn’t have much time to penetrate the wood. In many cases, buffing with a clean, dry cloth, and a little patience, is all that’s needed to remove a water stain. If the stain is set in, you can try polishing with an oil based wood furniture polish  or Restor-A-Finish and see if that removes the mark. When using any of the methods detailed here, try to use a cloth that won’t leave any lint behind, and when buffing, always go with the grain. Also, if you’re unsure about any of the methods you see here, test first on a hidden area of the table, underneath for example, to make sure no further damage will occur.

2. Toothpaste is supposed to work wonders on water-stain removal. Who knew? Apply a small amount of toothpaste – the white, grainy, non-gel kind, to a damp, clean cloth and gently rub into the water stain. Wipe toothpaste off with a clean, dry cloth and polish as you normally would.  


3. You can also try a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub paste into the stain and leave on for a half-hour or so. Remove the paste with a clean dry cloth and polish with your choice of furniture polish.  


4. Another home remedy to try is a paste of salt and cooking oil. Rub this paste into the stain and wait about fifteen or twenty minutes. After that amount of time, wipe off the paste with a clean, dry cloth and polish as usual.  


5. Apply a coat of mayonnaise over the stain and let sit over night. The next morning, wipe off with a clean, dry cloth and polish with your favorite furniture polish. Some suggest using wood ash mixed in with the mayo.  


6. Some folks recommend using a hair dryer to dry the stain while it’s still wet. Another suggestion is to rub the stain with cigarette or cigar ashes. Wipe the surface clean and polish as usual.  


7. Try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge.  Use it slightly damp and rub the stain out.  Wipe the surface clean and polish.  
If none of these methods work, you may need to consult a professional who can, perhaps, recommend a product, such as oxalic acid (found in Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser), a wood bleach, that will do the trick for you. If the stain has deeply penetrated the wood, you may need to sand and refinish the wood.
  

Removing Heat & Dark Water Marks on Light Oak 

For heat marks or water marks on wood furniture, mix some wood ashes with mayonnaise and rub the glop into the stain with a soft cloth. You may have to use more than one application.  You may need to apply heat with a blow dryer or hot iron (without steam) held above the wood to open the pores of the wood.  
One of the great Master Craftsman of Grand Rapids, Michigan Furniture making fame - used this same formula for working "magic" on many priceless pieces of furniture that passed through his hands. He never once had a complaint, and as many have already observed, it's such an "easy fix". Grandpa said it's because of the fats in the oil - and the wood still was porous and would drink in the oil once it was broken down with heat.
For bleaching treatment of an older dark stain, carefully apply Bar Keepers Friend powder cleanser exactly on the stain with a spoon and then crushed it down onto the stain with the back of the spoon. Use an eyedropper to wet the cleanser with water. Wait one hour and the stain should be gone.
 

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Debbie's Tips on Distressing Wood Furniture 

To distress a piece, there are lots of things you can use to give it that well-worn look.  You can:  
     1 - take a small nail and put 2-5 small pits or holes close together in 3 to 5 areas where wear would most                 likely occur; 
     2 - sand areas where wear would occur
     3 - use steel wool to lightly rub off some of the paint on the edges where wear would normally occur; 
     4 - before painting it, use drops of candle wax or a smear of candle wax where you want no paint to adhere to the wood (Once you spray paint it remove the wax and use steel wool on the edges to rough up and transition the area); 
     5 - use brown or back wax or shoe polish to simulate stain or dirt that has been worked into the wood over time.  
     6 - hit it with a chain

Be creative with your distressing tools, just be careful with the wood!

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Thanks to Debbie, my corner table turned out awesome! Check out my blog post on its progress and completion!