MitchellWekey

Do you have some wooden furniture in your home that you want to refinish? Maybe there are too many stains or scratches so that the item you love so much lost its shine. Or maybe the hardwood flooring you chose and that gives shine to a room now looks dull.

In all these cases, the good news is, usually, you easily get your wood items back to the original shine. At the same time, you get to play your role in protecting the environment. The problem though is that most people make mistakes when they try to refinish wooden furniture.

To help you make better choices and make your refinish project a success, here are the most common mistakes you have to avoid.

Not Following Manufacturer Instructions

If the manufacturer tells you to not use a specific project, it is vital that you do not use it. Things are as simple as that.

This is by far the most common mistake you could make during wood refinishing. It is also the one that is the easiest to avoid.

Sometimes, because of the fact that you refinished wood in the past, you may think that you know what you are doing. This false sense of certainty can be highly problematic. Many novice refinishers by the wrong product for their wood furniture. This is why you need to carefully respect all manufacturer instructions and read the labels.

Failing At Completely Removing Wood Finish

When refinishing wooden furniture, the most exhausting and cumbersome step is to remove old finish. This can quickly turn into a nightmare since most DIY refinishers are going to use chemical or paint strippers. These are very efficient but they can quickly damage wood.

The trick is to apply an even, generous layer. If the layer is uneven, you will end up with patches because finish is not removed completely in some areas.

Not Knowing How Much Time To Wait With The Chemical Stripper

When you use any product, make sure that you read and follow all instructions. With the chemical stripper, if you do not wait for as much time as needed, you will end up scraping the finish off. When you wait for too long, paint dries and becomes hard. Always remove the finish after the right amount of time passed, when the finish is still quite soft.

Not Knowing In What Direction You Have To Sand

After removing the old finish, you need to sand the entire surface of the furniture. This is needed to remove problem areas or rough spots.

You need to sand in the grain direction, not against it. Proper sanding creates a huge difference in the final result. Varnishes and stains that are applied on a bad sanding job just emphasize swirl marks and rough patches.

Not Allowing Layers To Properly Dry

When you refinish wood furniture, there are different layers of different products you apply. This includes stain, finishes, paint, and sanding sealer. With every single one, you have to wait until it completely dries before the next layer is applied. There are also products that require sanding between layers.

The container you use includes all the appropriate instructions and waiting time. Make sure you respect all indications.