Refinish a wood table instead of replacing it
About 300 minutes
A weekend, a sander, and a finish. Old furniture is usually better wood than new furniture.
Printable steps & toolsWatch it done
How to Refinish Wood Furniture · This Old House
Watch it done → Practice now
Do these 3 things next
- Test your stripper or sanding approach on the underside first.
- Work up through the grits without skipping one.
- Wipe the dust off with a damp cloth before any finish touches wood.
Say it while you work: Ítara — like this, in this way
Steps
- Test an inconspicuous spot: if the old finish softens with denatured alcohol it's shellac, and it will come off easily.
- Sand with the grain — 80 grit to remove finish, 120, then 180. Never skip a grit.
- Vacuum, then wipe with a tack cloth until nothing comes off on your hand.
- Apply wipe-on polyurethane or hardwax oil in thin coats, sanding lightly with 320 between coats.
- Three coats minimum on a table top. Let it cure a full week before setting anything heavy on it.
When to call a professional
Heating and cooling
Most of this is yours to do. Call someone licensed if any one of these is true — it's a judgement call, not a defeat.
- The fix would involve refrigerant of any kind.
- The unit trips its own breaker or short-cycles.
- You see ice on the lines in normal weather.
- Airflow is fine but the system still won't hold temperature.
General guidance only. Local codes and conditions vary. If work involves electrical, gas, structural, HVAC or plumbing systems — or if anything feels beyond your comfort — stop and hire a licensed professional.
Bumada Bridge
Want to learn this in Garifuna?
Ítara — like this, in this way
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