Lighten your dark wood furniture has never been easier, thanks to this straightforward method of stripping a table.
If you’re tired of your stained furniture looking worn and dull, you don’t have to resort to sanding or putting up with dangerous fumes and chemicals.
Instead, you can lighten up your dark wood furniture with a little help from Citristrip, a safe and effective solution that’ll have your furniture looking brand new in no time.
A better alternative to sanding and harsh chemicals
Dark wood furniture can easily become dull and worn over time, but there’s no need to sand it or expose yourself to hazardous chemicals. Brighten it up with a simple and safe solution – Citristrip! Say goodbye to stained furniture and hello to a brand-new look. It’s easier than you think!
You might think, “But stripping furniture sounds like such a hassle.” Let me tell you, and it’s not as complicated as it seems.
With Citristrip, the process is straightforward. It’s a great alternative to sanding and using harsh chemicals that can be dangerous.
So, if you’re tired of your furniture looking dull, why not try Citristrip? It’s effective and won’t put your health at risk.
Trust me, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to lighten up your dark wood furniture and bring it back to life. Plus, it’s way less time-consuming than sanding.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Citristrip
- Rags
- Gloves
- Scraper
- Mineral spirits
- Steel wool
- Gel stain (for refinishing)
How to Strip and Refinish Your Tabletop (In summary)
- Dust your tabletop to remove dirt and debris
- Apply a generous coat of Citristrip with a rag, making sure to cover the surface thoroughly
- Let Citristrip sit for about an hour
- Use a metal scraper to remove as much of the loosened finish as possible
- For a more rustic, distressed look, use a more rough scraping method
- For a smoother finish, opt for a plastic scraper to avoid scratches and gauges
- Enjoy your newly refinished tabletop!
Stripping and Refinishing Your Tabletop
First, give your tabletop a good dusting, then take a rag and generously apply a coat of Citristrip.
The key here is to be generous and cover the surface thoroughly, as a light coat may not penetrate all the layers of stain and varnish. Then, just let it sit for about an hour.
Next, it’s time to get to work with the scraper. You’ll want to remove as much of the loosened finish from the table as possible, and a metal scraper is ideal.
If you’re going for a more rustic, distressed look, you can be slightly less careful with your scraping. However, opt for a plastic scraper if you want to avoid scratches and gauges.
Stripping and refinishing your tabletop doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It’s quite simple and easy with the help of Citristrip. So, let’s get started!
Give it a time when stripping
Give your tabletop a quick dusting to eliminate any dirt and debris. Then, grab a rag and go ahead and slather on a generous coat of Citristrip.
Please don’t skimp on it; cover the surface thoroughly. You want to ensure that the light won’t penetrate all the layers of stain and varnish. Give it time to do its magic, and let it sit for around an hour.
Next up, it’s time to put in some elbow grease. You’ll want to remove as much of the loosened finish as possible.
A metal scraper is a way to go and will make the job much easier. If you’re going for a more rustic, distressed look, you can be rougher with your scraping.
But if you’re going for a smoother finish, it’s best to opt for a plastic scraper to avoid scratches or gauges.
Cleaning Up After Stripping Your Tabletop
Once you’ve scraped off as much as possible, it’s time to clean up any residue with a rag and mineral spirits. The mineral spirits will dissolve the Citristrip, making it a breeze to clean up.
If you need to, you can repeat the process by applying another coat of Citristrip to any areas where it didn’t penetrate through the layers of stain.
Revamp Your Furniture with Gel Stain
Now that your tabletop is stripped and cleaned, it’s time to give it a fresh look! And you won’t believe just how simple it is. All you need is some gel stain and some elbow grease.
To seal the top, I applied two coats of General Finishes gel stain in Nutmeg. I had a bit left over from staining my steel front door, and I love this stain for any time I’m refinishing my furniture (with or without stripping).
It doubles as a sealer; since it’s thicker, it smooths out any imperfections. At first, the color looks much darker when you apply it, but as it spreads, it looks pretty similar to the shade on the can.
The Benefits of Stripping Your Furniture
And let me tell you, what a difference it made to this little corner of my home! It brightened up the foyer, making the space feel much lighter and more cheerful.
I was pleasantly surprised by just how easy it was to lighten dark furniture without paint, and I’m sure you will be too!
So, if you’re tired of your dark and dreary furniture and looking for a change, give stripping a table a try.
It’s a hassle-free way to refresh the look of your furniture and bring new life to your space. And who knows, you might find a new favorite hobby in the process!
Final Thought
Lightening dark furniture doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Using citristrip, a scraper, mineral spirits, and gel stain, you can strip and refinish your furniture to give it a brand-new look.
So, put on your gloves, grab a rag, and work on transforming your space!
