Oak is a popular wood choice for furniture.
Popularized during the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century, oak was--and still is--used frequently for fine furniture, hardwood floors and decorative items. Oak wood that has been stained, damaged or worn can be restored fairly easily. The details of the refinishing process will vary depending on your project, but there are standard techniques you can apply to any piece of oak. If you are unsure of the age of the oak you want to refinish, consult a restoration expert first: Removing the original finish on an antique can significantly lower its value.
Instructions
Removing the Old Finish
1. Clean the oak with a mixture of three parts mineral spirits to one part boiled linseed oil. Dip the rag in the mixture and wipe in a circular motion. Depending on the condition of your oak wood, a thorough cleaning may be all you need to restore its appearance.
2. Remove all hardware such as hinges and drawer pulls and cover any embedded hardware such as keyholes.
3. Brush a layer of paint stripper onto the oak wood using a natural bristle brush. Only cover as much area as you can reasonably work with at a time. Allow the paint stripper to sit for the manufacturer-recommended time, usually 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Scrape the softened finish with a metal scraper, being careful not to gouge the wood. To remove finish in intricate designs or hard-to-reach areas, use a small, fine wire brush.
5. Clean any remaining film by rubbing with a rag soaked in mineral spirits. Alternatively, clean water-soluble paint thinner with water, but do not soak the wood as this may cause warping or further damage.
6. Sand the surface of the oak wood lightly to prepare it for the next steps. You can also sand away the finish rather than using a chemical paint stripper, but this will remove a layer of wood in the process (recommended for refinishing oak floors). If you are attempting to remove a dark stain in addition to the old finish, you will have to sand down to fresh wood.
Refinishing
7. Wipe all surfaces of the wood with a rag dipped in mineral spirits to remove any sanding dust.
8. Allow the wood to dry completely. Meanwhile, if you are staining the oak, mix the stain thoroughly.
9. Apply stain with a clean paintbrush. Drag the brush along the can lip to remove excess stain, and sweep across the wood in the direction of the grain. Try not to overlap the edges too much, as additional stain will color the wood darker. Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours before recoating or applying a finish.
10. Apply a finish such as varnish, shellac or lacquer. This will seal the stain or natural wood, making it more resistant to damage caused by spills or marks.
Tags: mineral spirits, paint stripper, hardware such