How to Refinish and Stain Wood

UPDATED VIDEO: • DIY Furniture Restorat...
How to refinish and stain wood to get a good, consistent finish every time!
Supply list: a.co/5ypruH8
Pad sander (don't try to do it by hand, it will take forever) -
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80 Grit Sandpaper -
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120 Grit Sandpaper -
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220 Grit Sandpaper -
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400 Grit Sandpaper -
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Gloves -
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Stain (my favorite color is Minwax Dark Walnut)-
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UPDATE: I've been using water based stain now and LOVE it - my favorite color is a 50/50 mix of General Finishes Walnut & Antique Oak Water Based Wood Stain -
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General Finishes High Performance Topcoat (in flat or satin finish) -
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Purdy XL Cub -
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*links are Amazon affiliate links.
More info on the blog - www.rootsandwin...

[@carleycooper360]

Your videos are the BEST! They’re perfectly informative and tell a person everything they need to know without leaving them confused or overwhelmed. I had a BUNCH of furniture that needed updated and you gave me the confidence and information I needed to start and now I’m so happy with how my furniture has turned out and I’m addicted lol

[@RootsWingsHome]

Awe, thank you so much for your comment! This is what keeps me going!! I am so glad you found this helpful, and I bet your furniture is amazing!! Keep up the good work, and enjoy your new hobby ;)

[@BS-dq1kz]

Carley Fackenthall Agree. She has great vids!

[@emg4815]

keep up the great work for real much respect and love from your boy buddha W.M.H

[@michelleg.8190]

I have watched tons and tons of these videos and never have actually felt like I could tackle this project and now after watching this video I purchased everything I needed on amazon and can not wait for it to arrive so I can do my own coffee table and side table in my living room. Thanks so much for explaining everything in a way that is not scary or to many steps like some videos make it seem so hard when its really simple if you follow your steps ! Thanks again!

[@RootsWingsHome]

YAY!! Thank you for leaving this comment, it's such an encouragement to me, andh helps me keep doing what I do. I think this is something everyone can do!!

[@gallettiguitartones]

I'm doing this right now!! So excited and nervous for results lol🙏🏻

[@jordynwhite3986]

Absolutely beautiful! You are helping people with your videos 5 years later! Thank you.

[@jameza6129]

The fast sanding sound is so satisfying.

[@NinaZuccaro0824]

Thanks for sharing. My aunt just gave me an old coffee table purchased in 1990. It’s stained bright orange/brown and I’m going to try to make it more modern!

[@leylon]

Your video was very informative for someone who has never done any furniture painting or sanding. Thank you for this video. I bought a dining set for $20 and will be sanding and staining it thanks to your advice

[@RootsWingsHome]

YAY! I hope it turns out just the way you like it - you will be so proud of it!!

[@jackiefrymire3]

@@RootsWingsHome What Paint did you use for the base?

[@AmericanWoman11]

I don't comment often, but I have always wanted to try to do something like this. You explain things very well and explain why you do things. Most you tubers don't. I am so hooked to your videos because they are attainable projects. Thank you!

[@alirE2904]

I like how you listed the sand paper grits in order of use and the other items also.

[@Oneofusisthekiiller]

So beautifully done! I’m going to re stain my table and reupholster the chairs so I have a big project coming up 🤪 this was really encouraging lol.

[@JordanXoXo1992]

Is there a certain type of paint you need to use for the bottom of the table?

[@nica.rivera]

Loved the two tone color style.

[@herrmannintegratedagronomy1]

What type of paint did you use - I can't seem to find that information.

[@BabyyLocaa]

I needed to match a butcher block piece to existing dark top light bottom furniture, this video was so informative and came out great with an exact match for what I needed! Thank you!!!!

[@RootsWingsHome]

I'm so glad, that's fantastic!!

[@heatherthompson1463]

Excellent demonstration. I'm motivated to try my first project.

[@RootsWingsHome]

Good! I hope you enjoy the process.

[@xochiltv8498]

This was by far the most informative tutorial. Thank you for sharing! I’ve been wanting to do that to my dining table!

[@RootsWingsHome]

You are so welcome!!

[@yupyup21ful]

Can you put that same oil based stain over the painted part to add that look?

[@maddestroyer934]

Can you put the name of the products?? Some people dont speak english.. By the way beautifulwork !

[@castellenathompson1685]

looks amazing!!!!! Thanks for your help, I've always been too scared to restain cause i had no idea what i was doing haha

[@RootsWingsHome]

You can totally do it! !

[@rangersasc]

I was about to ask why your camera was 8 foot up in the air, then you stood up hahahaha ya got me there!

[@Sweetlychee3820]

Hey! I would love to send you my very first staining project that I did thanks to this video. So so so helpful. You made it so easy to follow too. Thank you.

[@preciousjewel7297]

This is gorgeous! I think I may have a new profession soon. I'm so glad I discovered your channel. You're very talented.

[@alexorozco199]

Amazing DIY ! I really wanna how much I appreciate your clear instructions makes me feel much more confident in refinishing my dining table and coffee table. Thank You!

[@RootsWingsHome]

Oh good, I'm so glad! That's what these videos are here for - best of luck on your projects!!

[@merlyndamirasoldayto3180]

Awesome! This is a DIY video that I’ve been searching for. Don’t like chalk painting. Just my style. Thank you!

[@MrHighflyingclive]

When sanding, I like to take a pencil and scribble over the surface. I tend to lay the pencil over and use the side of the lead. When you have removed all the scribbles, you can change to a finer grit sandpaper. This not only ensures even sanding, it stops you doing more sanding than is necessary.

[@catherinedean3796]

That's so smart! What a good tip!

[@akamaster09]

She did a great job

[@Ettesun]

Thank you for this great video. Now I will continue on my old round kitchen table! I like the stain you used. Your piece looks so nice!

[@helenheil]

Thank you for showing me exactly what I need to know/do to turn an "ugly" piece into something I will enjoy!

[@annesolano714]

What kind of paint did you use for the base?

[@anahi_dulce]

Thank you so much for this video! You're instructions were clear & easy to follow. I just finished staining a night stand. I hope it turns out as beautiful as your piece did.

[@RootsWingsHome]

I'm sure it will! You are welcome, thank you for watching!

[@jacobsaks9045]

I am looking to do this to my coffee table and end tables. I was wondering would you do anything differently if the tables had a glossy finish on them? Also, they are a bit scratched up so will the sanding most likely correct that? I loved the video!

[@RootsWingsHome]

No, the glossy finish shouldn't matter. If it's thick, you may need to go at it with 80 grit sand paper right from the start. The sanding should take care of all the scratches in the process!! Thanks for watching, good luck on your project!

[@veronicahaley3268]

I want to restain my headboard and I was just thinking this!! Thanks for asking :)

[@toniclanton832]

OK YOUR SKIN IS FLAWLESS !!! 🤗and the table came out really nice 🙂

[@Trashpeckerson]

What kind of paint do I use to paint the base?

[@meanbean98]

I am a painter and I really love the way that came out great!

[@RootsWingsHome]

Thank you so much!

[@gregoryskaff4718]

What can I do if I damaged the veneer while sanding? Anything fixes to remedy the situation?

[@Ladioz]

Hi, I guess you didnt need pre-stain conditioner for the wood to avoid blotching the finish. Thanks for the video

[@MsDawnatella]

Great video Thank you. Was just wondering why you sanded over the wax/poly a couple times and put on more? Is that necessary??

[@CoeCreator]

Yes. She explains it - has to do with leveling off the grain that gets "raised" when adding the poly.

[@biancaazgin-joseph430]

This looks exactly like the wood on the table I refinished for myself however I found that the stain was extremely lighter/darker in some places and the top finish (semi gloss) was blotchy and looks now like there's puddles of water on my table. I would love a video of how to fix annoying problems like that. I know it probably was because of the type of wood (which I wouldn't have ever known hahaa, beginner) but I have no idea how to fix it other than sanding it down and starting over.. oh gosh

[@jeffbarber9561]

My table is coming out bad during the poly steps. I’m using winmax fast drying clear satin poly with a valspar all stains oil brush. I did not shake the can. There’s bubbles still and the table is sticky after 12hrs drying between poly coats.

[@anhelina92]

Very informative and helpful. I love the step of sanding before applying the 2nd & 3rd coat of the sealer. I don't see many people doing that but it seems like it would make all the difference

[@SimranKaur-ym1sw]

Very informative video... I will start my first project soon. So first use sand paper 80 after that 120. Stain first coat leave it for 24 hour top coat total 2 top coats. Is that right what I understood from the video. Pls confirm I need the same finish

[@karliekelly77]

It’s a whole different table!!! Love it!!!

[@jeffsperekas8993]

What a cutie! Nice job on the table simple and clear to understand- Thx !

[@oldschoolgamer2337]

Hey i love your video .. u gave great details on what to do.. on every step.. I want try this on a old T.V stand i have . Hope i have the same results.

[@RootsWingsHome]

I hope you get the same results as well! I bet you will!!

[@marioalejandro7549]

Beautiful !! I wanted to see the distressed part also😏🙂. Great video!!

[@donnastreet2440]

I FOUND 2 END TABLES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I'M NEW AT THIS I HAVE SPRAY PAINT CAN I USE IT??? ON MY TABLES THEY ARE WOOD UGH!!! I DON'T WANT TO STAIN THEM I ALSO HAVE SANDPAPER???? XOXO YOUR (NEW) SUBSCRIBER ❤❤❤

[@Wooooahhh6272]

After the final sealer coat, could I steel wool the wood and wax it for a far smoother feel?

[@alebhappy]

Following this process I dont have to "prime" the table before applying the stain????

[@RootsWingsHome]

no priming!

[@jillindajaneway9406]

I had 2 questions. Why isn’t it necessary to strip the stain? Also, what do you do if your table’s grain goes two different directions. It’s like it has a border around the solid piece o there are the two end section that instead of the grain going vertical it goes horizontal.

[@Darlingdevin]

Grrr you didn't show the distressing! How did you get the destressed parts to look like top stain.

[@margiesteininger3344]

check this out - there are many ways to do it www.countrychicpaint.com/pages/distressing-techniques

[@Kpopboba]

Nice explained, no expensive tools needed .

[@RootsWingsHome]

Yes, and I think anyone can do it!

[@amandagermany9537]

Beautiful, I have a few projects lined up. What paint did you use for the bottom of the table?

[@TXO74]

I really enjoyed this vid, thank you! I am exploring how to refinish or paint reclaimed wood and inspired by your vid.

[@tomjens2046]

looks great, but not sure about apreciating the beauty of the wood (which you claim) when you paint over it (bottom part)

[@reemelazazy471]

Thank you so much for this very informative video! I began refinishing a coffee table and while sanding noticed that portions of the wood I sanded were turning pink. Did I over-sand those areas? Any tips on how to get rid of the discoloration? I was hoping to white-wash the wood instead of using a dark stain, but might not work with the pinkish areas. Thanks so much in advance!

[@ashleym8346]

Love it, but I never understand why they don't remove the drawers before painting. I guess it's a faux drawer.

[@vanessaengel5207]

I am trying to refinish the frame of my boyfriends mirror that his grandmother handed down to him and hang it in our living room. Can I follow this same process? Or can you gove me some steps for that? I bought steel wool to sand it and stain.

[@RootsWingsHome]

Yes, I think the process would be the same, just on a smaller scale! Get it down to raw wood and stain and seal it. You will probably only need one coat of topcoat at the end of the process!

[@mikaelabradley7167]

I am looking into refinishing/ staining an old kitchen table, and this tutorial was extremely helpful! When you were painting the base, did you end up taking the drawers out at all to paint the inside, or did you want the inside to stay the original color?

[@RootsWingsHome]

Mikaela Bradley oh good! I did take the drawers out to get around all the edges, but I didn't paint the inside of the drawers. I don't usually do that.

[@mikaelabradley7167]

Okay, thank you for your quick response!

[@karendursky7908]

I stripped the paint off of my bathroom door to take it back to the wood finish. I sanded the door with 80 grit and then 300 grit, then wiped off the dust. I tried to apply a coat of stain and it turned out horribly blotchy. I feel sick! I never could get the wood to sand down as bare as your piece in this video. Is that why it turned out so blotchy? I have to fix it somehow because it matches all the other doors in my house. Can you help?

[@tomshagger]

I think you should have sanded the complete table BEFORE you refinished the top. The dust from sanding the bottom will find its way to your beautiful top. Just my opinion !

[@michellesmile6882]

Agree and she should take out the drawers..She talks way too much.😳

[@TrussttN01]

Michelle smile No reason to be rude. The video was very informative. Hopefully, within the last year, your manners have improved.

[@daniellebates3785]

Michelle smile that’s pretty rude. her expertise and skills are the reason for making a video and why it has so many views. Otherwise it’s just someone painting a table. Her talking while doing it is the reason it’s so helpful. Go be rude somewhere else

[@edie5285]

Great tutorial, love the detail you give in your explanations. Thanks!

[@ashantiperrish3939]

Thank you for making this so clear and easy😄

[@ExpressHealthcareAgency]

Great job!!!! can you please put the name of the first and second coat you use ? Can't really see them in the video.

[@javeriakaleem4977]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! One question if I may. Most folks recommend using a stripper before sanding. Was that not necessary for your table?

[@destinytiana5260]

What exactly is veneer and how can you tell if your piece of wood is veneer? #help

[@jenniferswenson1341]

What kind of paint did you use?

[@RootsWingsHome]

This was actually a latex paint to custom match something else in my client's home. I would recommend General Finishes Antique White for a similar color!

[@bettybiscuit9585]

Hi Jenny. I’ve just chanced upon your videos today (and subscribed.) Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. Best wishes from (an unusually!) sunny Scotland:))

[@RootsWingsHome]

Thank you so much for subscribing! I'm so glad you are here!! Enjoy that sunshine today ❤

[@amandalopez59]

What formula can I use to wipe down furniture before applying chalk paint?

[@annamoore7334]

Hi! So I just sanded, stained, and applied polyurethane for the first time ever. I'm super new to all this! Anyway, after the first coat of polyurethane there are crater like holes in the top coat. It's almost like bubbles were there and popped. Did I apply the polyurethane too thick?

[@shellsteve06]

Might I ask the exact color minwax you used? I am wanting to stain my living room coffee table a darker shade. Yours turned out beautiful!

[@tabbithacoughlin9314]

shelly hyden I believe she said it was Dark Walnut

[@juanrivera6875]

Loved this table, but didn’t show how you distressed the white part of the table. Can you explain how you did that?

[@RootsWingsHome]

I used 120 grit sandpaper to distress it. Check out this more recent video which explains distressing a bit more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp65YWxujsp_oqs

[@Skefferson]

Question; when you wipe the stain off do you use a dry cloth or a wet one? I’m guessing dry but want to be sure.. thanks!!

[@The-Bridgewater-Triangle]

Hey Jackie you didn’t use a pre stain first

[@momhustleandbustle6969]

How did you do the base? What did you paint with and how did you distress it?

[@shawniecool]

I'd like to know what kind of paint as well.

[@sgmrmp]

Stain on raw wood looks okay on knotty stock, for the farmhouse look, but I would use prestain on most lumber.

[@RootsWingsHome]

I haven't found it to be very necessary on the furniture I refinish, but it is a good thing to have around just in case.

[@jasminecortez7405]

Is it necessary to use an electric sanding paper

[@elizabethbrower640]

You can strip it and hand sand it. I did that with antiques for years. I’d never use a machine sander.

[@anitola]

I love it. Can u please write me what kind colors did u use I would like to try it.thank u

[@karenpaul4594]

nice job, when you use a oil base stain do you use a oil base poly to seal???????

[@RootsWingsHome]

No, you dont have to. You just have to let the oil based stain fully dry (24-48 hrs). Then you are free to use any topcoat. My favorite is General Finishes High Performance topcoat!

[@karenpaul4594]

@@RootsWingsHome thank you

[@vesper4199]

Do you need to use primer paint before painting it your chosen colour?

[@carmeldevaney8976]

Hi can u tell me name of wood finish oil based colour did u use please im trying to do my own coffee table i love finished look especially the top of table

[@reidsanders5867]

I have a nice mid century credenza with scratches that penetrate down to the wood- they aren’t really deep but have left a pattern in the wood- would you use a stainable wood filler after stripping? I know Minwax makes a wood filler. I am afraid that if I sand down too hard over the scratches that it will leave an impression in the wood. Any helpful tips? Thanks!

[@RootsWingsHome]

Yes, I would sand the whole thing down, some times those scratches will smooth out with a sanding. Anything deeper, use a wood filler (mix a bit of your stain into the wood filler to color it - so it matches better when you stain the whole piece). I think that should do it!

[@rachel.denning]

Thank you for this video. Can you tell me what brand of brush you recommend to apply the top coat?

[@danalund4654]

I am a beginning... what where you using with that black thing for the sander? sorry if it sounds stupid.

[@kandymcneill8108]

So you don’t add at top coat ? I’m about to re do my hutch. I wanted to stain the top and chalk paint the rest. Any suggestions? I’m so nervous, this is my first big project!

[@mollyrae809]

Is it ok if I apply the first coat with a brush and not a rag?

[@7saolao]

Good job! Very nice 👍, thank you for sharing

[@nannyb8714]

Hi, Jenny. Thank you for sharing. I have been considering doing this to my dinning table, it is pretty beat up. It is a hand me down from my husband s Grandmother and it is well used and loved! Any suggestions?? Thanks

[@RootsWingsHome]

This method would be a fantastic solution to update and refresh your table! I think the sanding would take care of most of the scratches and dings and you'll be surprised at what you can do! Good luck!

[@yupyup21ful]

Does the painted parts need top coat? For a dinner table and chairs. I’m new to this stuff if this sounds like a ridiculous question...

[@domlopez4068]

What did you sand the bottom with before paint? Do you need to sand completely?

[@RealEstate-sw9fp]

Thank you for the video. I wish the music was not as loud!

[@aadd11]

So we don’t use any type of citristrip remover then? 😳🤦🏼‍♀️ I may have messed up.

[@christinefeucht8668]

Great job. I love your videos, they are so informative. One question, do you ever use GF wood pre-conditioner before staining?

[@katieheath2848]

Will the top coats hold up well for a high use dinning room table?

[@rackayo945]

So I want to paint my linen cabinets white. They're a maple yellow orange color. Do i have to sand it down completely and then paint it? Or sand it down lightly like you did with the bottom half of your table?

[@RootsWingsHome]

Just sand it lightly and clean them really well with a de-greaser like Krud Kutter!

[@greatbritain8388]

As this is a pine wood will I need to use the pre stain conditioner? I'm scared that I might end up with the dark patches? What would you recommend it?

[@ashlynnkelly815]

You don't need to sand the bottom before painting? Or can you just go ahead and paint over it the original color?

[@TheKrokpot]

Would this top coat be enough protection for a kitchen table?

[@ClayBradshaw80751]

This was enjoyable to watch. Sanding my first dresser now. Thank you :)

[@anitaellison8664]

Finished product is lovely but I Found it odd you sanded the base right after you applied topcoat, just thinking dust.

[@chandlertollison1003]

To anyone who may know, should you finish with the stain? Or is it better to finish with a clear coat?? What you were doing looked so different from the stain I bought

[@RootsWingsHome]

Finish with the clear coat! What brand/color stain did you purchase?

[@jamingammy6817]

It's BEAUTIFUL! I must have missed the color paint for the bottom. What kind and color I'd you use?

[@RootsWingsHome]

Thank you!! It was a custom color for a client. The closest match would be General Finishes Antique White!

[@carolmking]

Hi Jenny, love watching all your videos. Great job. Are you from Georgia?