Refinishing a Craigslist Table

by Monica Green

$60

Medium

I purchased this solid oak table from Craigslist for $20, and it was not exactly eye candy. However, I could see an attractive sunburst veneer design laid over the oak plank top, and really wanted to remove the paint and stain the wood to show it off. I learned several things one should NOT do when refinishing a table during this project, which would have made the process much less time-consuming. First of all, I removed the paint with Citristrip paint stripper, which is an excellent product and it worked very well. However, not all of the paint on the surface of the table was ready to remove at the same time; many areas began to bubble after an hour, but the rest looked no different. I tried removing as much as I could, applying a second thin layer of Citristrip to the stubborn spots, and then vigorously scrubbing with steel wool and mineral spirits on the remaining residue....not advised. I ended up scratching the surface of the wood in some areas, which required a lot of sanding and a little blotchiness in the stain. I should have been patient and left the initial layer of stripper on the areas that were not ready at first. Second, it is MUCH easier to do a project like this in a garage or shop (neither of which I have) that is protected from the elements. I was constantly having to move the table in and out of the house due to rain, sprinklers, dust storms, etc, and the unfinished exposed wood needs to be protected from water and dirt. Other than that (and making lots of trips to Home Depot for supplies!) the project was quite successful and a lot of fun, definitely good for rookies. All the steps are outlined below with the pictures, since I don't have a blog (yet). Enjoy!

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, The oak table had a layer of lacquer under uneven black spray paint which covered a lovely sunburst tabletop design

The oak table had a layer of lacquer under uneven black spray-paint, which covered a lovely sunburst tabletop design

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, Apply Citristrip paint stripper in a very thick layer and let sit until all areas of the paint bubble and crinkle This indicates that the paint is separating from the wood

Apply Citristrip paint stripper in a very thick layer and let sit until all areas of the paint bubble and crinkle. This indicates that the paint is separating from the wood.

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, Scrape off the gooey paint and throw away in a container Any remaining residue should be gently scrubbed in the direction of the wood grain with steel wool and mineral spirits Mineral spirits and a paper towel clean the wood

Scrape off the gooey paint and throw away in a container. Any remaining residue should be gently scrubbed, in the direction of the wood grain, with steel wool and mineral spirits. Mineral spirits and a paper towel clean the wood.

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, Then the wood should be sanded for a smooth stain I started with coarse 80 to remove deeper scratches then 120 and finally 180 for a soft finish The black paint on the legs and sides was also sanded to remove the glossy finish

Then the wood should be sanded for a smooth stain. I started with coarse 80 to remove deeper scratches, then 120, and finally 180 for a soft finish. The black paint on the legs and sides was also sanded to remove the glossy finish.

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, I treated the wood with Watco Danish Oil in Light Walnut I loved the stuff very easy to apply and makes the wood look beautiful I followed the directions on the can The splotchy parts are from my overzealous scrubbing in step 3

I treated the wood with Watco Danish Oil in Light Walnut. I loved the stuff, very easy to apply and makes the wood look beautiful. I followed the directions on the can. The splotchy parts are from my overzealous scrubbing in step 3

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, Then I painted the sides and legs of the table with two coats of Benjamin Moore s Bittersweet Chocolate Semi Gloss interior latex paint To prep remove any oil drips with mineral spirits and a paper towel and apply with a foam brush

Then, I painted the sides and legs of the table with two coats of Benjamin Moore's Bittersweet Chocolate Semi-Gloss interior latex paint. To prep, remove any oil drips with mineral spirits and a paper towel, and apply with a foam brush

refinishing a craigslist table, home decor, outdoor furniture, painted furniture, The finished table I also applied one coat of Watco Danish Oil in Natural to clean and seal in the color This should be done annually to condition the wood and revitalize the color For outdoor furniture seal with polyurethane

The finished table! I also applied one coat of Watco Danish Oil in Natural to clean and seal in the color. This should be done annually to condition the wood and revitalize the color. For outdoor furniture, seal with polyurethane.