How to Refinish Night Tables

A night table, or nightstand, is a small table for use next to a bed. Over time, the finish on a night table can become damaged by condensation from drinking cups and various forms of abrasion. You can rejuvenate the appearance of your nightstand by applying a new finish. If you would like to refinish your worn-looking nightstand, you must employ particular preparation and application strategies, depending on the condition of the wood.

Instructions

1

Move the night table to a ventilated area.

2

Use 120-grit sandpaper to remove the glossy varnish topcoat from the night table. Sand along with the grain until the finish appears dull. Skip this step if the table is not varnished.

3

Wipe sawdust from the table with a sticky tack cloth.

4

Cover portions of the night table you do not want stained with painter's tape. Overlap fabric dropcloths on top of plastic ones, and place these on the floor. Place the night table on the dropcloths.

5

Apply oil-based stain to the night table, using a paintbrush, manufactured for use with oil-based coatings. Wait 2 hours for the stained table to dry. Add more coats for darker results.

6

Wash the brush with mineral spirits.

7

Wait 12 hours. Apply varnish to the stained night table, using the clean paintbrush. Wait 12 hours before placing anything on the table.