Whether you're looking to upcycle and update an old table or you want to customise a new table to compliment your home decor, staining and sanding a table can be an easy way to get exactly what you want. Keep reading to find out how to refinish your table and give your dining area a whole new look.

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Everything You Need to Sand & Stain a Table

• Plastic gloves, face masks, and protective goggles
• Floor or ground covering/protector
• Two to three paintbrushes and sponges
• Two to three tack cloths and lint-free cloths (Tack cloths are treated with tacky material to help grab excess dust.)
• Sandpaper in varying grits (80 coarse, 150 medium, 220 fine)
• Hand sander (required for fine-grit and very-fine grit sanding at the end)
• Electric sander (This is not required but helps cut down sanding time. Opt for one with a vacuum to help catch excess sawdust.)
• Wood conditioner
• Desired stain color with polyurethane included (If it doesn’t include polyurethane, you will want to get a separate container of it to finish your table.)

Before beginning, think safety first! Wear protective goggles, gloves, and a mask for every step. Work in a well-ventilated area. Read and abide by all precautions on product labels and use only as directed. Use protective covering on the floor under your wood table and workstation.

How to Sand & Stain a Table

Before beginning, always remember safety first! Wear protective goggles, gloves and a mask for every step and be sure to work in well-ventilated area. Read and abide by all precautions on product labels and use only as directed (products may vary). Use protective covering on the floor under your table.

Step 1 - Sand the Table

Before you start sanding, wipe down your table with a lint-free cloth or a tack cloth to remove dirt, dust or food remnants. Put the sandpaper on the bottom of the hand sander or electric sander (whichever you've chosen) before you start sanding. Begin sanding the entire wooden surface with coarse-grit sandpaper (80 grit), then progress to medium-grit sandpaper (150 grit), and then to a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) before you stain. When sanding, sand the entire table with each grit before moving on to the next grit.

If you find you have missed any spots, go back and sand those spots before progressing. Sand the entire table going with the grain of the wood to eliminate risk of scratching the wood. Wipe down the wood with a cloth between each sanding to remove remaining particles. Most electric sanders come with a vacuum installed which helps limit the amount of sanding dust that is expelled into the air while making the sanding process easier and faster.

Tip: You can use a chemical stripper on your wooden furniture to help remove some of the old stain before you start sanding. If you do use a chemical stripper, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2 - Remove Dust & Condition the Wood

Use a lint-free cloth and a tack cloth to remove all dust particles from the table before applying your wood conditioner. Use the tack cloth after the lint-free cloth so the tacky material can remove any remaining dust particles. Removing any excess dust helps the wood conditioner and wood stain adhere smoothly to the table.

Wood conditioner helps the wood absorb the stain evenly. This is especially useful for soft or porous wood types. Stir the wood conditioner thoroughly before applying. Use a sponge, cloth or paintbrush to apply one coat evenly across the whole surface.

Be sure to let it sit on the wood for about 10 minutes before wiping off any excess with a cloth. This gives the wood conditioner time to penetrate the wood, allowing your stain to sit more smoothly on the table. You'll want to condition your wood about two hours before you are ready to stain. Check the manufacturer’s directions for specific dry times.

Step 3 - Apply Your Stain

Stir the stain thoroughly before applying each coat. You'll want to use a paintbrush to apply the stain on your table. Dip your paintbrush into the stain and apply an even, thin layer onto the wood. After a few minutes of drying, use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe away the excess stain. This helps your stain dry evenly. Don't wipe too hard or let your cloth get too wet.

Lightly sand your table with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) between each coat of stain. This helps keep your table looking smooth, gives the stain a better finish, and allows the coats to bond together. The number of coats you apply will ultimately depend on your color preference, but you should be applying at least two light coats. Keep in mind that the longer you let your stain sit before wiping the excess can impact the final color. The longer it sits, the darker the stain color will be. Let the stain dry according to the package directions.

Tip: The stain may appear darker in certain areas depending on the grain of the wood you're staining. If you want to see how it looks before starting your project, test a patch and sand it off before staining the full table.

Step 4 - Sand & Finish

Let your stain sit for 24hrs to completely dry. For a final smoothing, carefully sand with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) using a hand sander. A hand sander is important for the final stage of sanding because it is more gentle than an electric sander. Be sure to move in the direction of the wood grain. If your stain did not include polyurethane, you will want to apply four coats now to finish and protect the table.

Let each coat dry before sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit). Sanding between coats helps get rid of any dust or particles that may get in the polyurethane when wet. Let your final coat dry for at least 24 hours before using your table.

Step 5 - Enjoy

Now, sit back and enjoy family dinners around your newly restained table.

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