How Do You Refinish a Dining Room Table Top?

Refinishing a dining table top is one of the more rewarding jobs a homeowner can take on, but it depends entirely on what the table is made from. This guide starts with how to tell solid timber from thin veneer and laminate before you sand through something you cannot repair, then works through preparing the space, stripping the old finish chemically or abrasively, and sanding correctly through 80, 120, 180 and 220 grit without skipping a stage. We compare hardwax oil, Danish oil and polyurethane varnish for a surface that takes daily use, and explain the difference between touch dry and fully cured. There is a section on treating specific damage such as white rings and dents without a full refinish, plus important safety guidance on stripper vapours, lead in older finishes, and the genuine fire risk posed by oily cloths. The guide closes with an honest assessment of the point at which further repair stops being worthwhile....