Cerused Oak Table Using Reactive Stain

8 Materials
$40
4 Hours
Medium

Check out out how reactive stain works to give this old worn end table a whole new look below.


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Before


As always the first step is to scrub the project piece well and let dry.

Scrape off the old finish


Using my new carbide scraper from Richard tools I tried my hand at hand scraping the old finish off. The old finish scraped off nicely and in about an hour I had the top stripped without using chemicals.



Stain the top


I used Weatherwood Stain reactive stain in pining color. Wipe on and allow to react with the wood. This coat dried and a second coat was applied and left to dry.


There is a detailed tutorial linked at the bottom of this post that has videos applying these products. that may help further.

Add white oil


Next step is to apply Weatherwood Stains white maintenance oil which will not only hydrate the wood but also catch in the oak grain and give a cerused or limed look. Again two coats were applied.

Paint the base


For the table base, Fusion Mineral Paint in ash was brushed on using their  2" angled brush. 

Clear coat


Now back to the top, to seal it all up Weatherwood Stains satin conversion varnish was brushed on using my 2" angled Zibra brush . 

Further lime it


To add further cerusing/liming feel, Fusion Mineral Paint's liming wax  was rubbed on.   

Complete!


Isn't it lovely? It has a whole new modern look making this end table pretty for many more years.

Covid humor


While staging my post photos I? added a fun Covid humor addition :)

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  3 questions
  • Jeanne Jeanne on Jul 01, 2020

    I've never tried scraping off a finish, I usually sand it off or use stripper. Is there a reason you chose this method over sanding? I understand not wanting to use stripper

  • Nancy Mitchell Nancy Mitchell on Jul 02, 2020

    What does liming wax do?

  • DyiPaula DyiPaula on Aug 23, 2020

    What kind of wood is this table? My daughter is itching to do something to my "outdated" mahogany.

Comments
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4 of 15 comments
  • Dro8169481 Dro8169481 on Jul 01, 2022

    Love your finished project, and your humor!


  • Pam Pam on Jul 01, 2022

    My dining room table has the same issue - the finish has "come off" in places. I would LOVE to do this, but hubby doesn't LIKE painted wood...how to convince him...

    • JH JH on Jul 02, 2023

      Stain. Use a stain in the color you want. So many stain colors available today.

      You get the colors you want, but your husband can see the wood grain. Also use a matte finish to give less shine and more of a paint look.

      You might even find you like the stain better than paint.

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