What You’ll Need for DIY Wood Refinishing

Are you ready to get going on your refinishing project?! WooHoo! Prepare yourself for a fun and addicting ride. Below you’ll find an expansive list of supplies that you may or may not need from the start, but that are definitely helpful to have on-hand should you continue your wood refinishing journey. Of course, the supplies you need will differ depending on the piece of furniture and the finish you’re trying to accomplish.

First off, the process of refinishing wood furniture can typically involve toxic or harsh chemicals, inevitable sawdust, and some noisy tools. Before you start on anything, make sure you have the appropriate safety gear and a work area conducive to host the mess.

Supplies You May Need:

• Protective Eyewear, Chemical-Resistant Gloves, Face Mask & Earplugs

• Dish Soap, Scrubby Sponge, Clean Shop Towels, and Rags

• Bucket for Clean Water

• Large Drop Cloths – Tip: Plastic can be wrapped up and thrown away!

• Paintbrushes, Chip Brushes, Foam Rollers

• Painter’s Tape

• Stir Sticks

• Fine or Medium Steel Wool Pads

• Deglosser/Degreaser/Liquid Sandpaper

• Paint Stripper and Lacquer Thinner

• Mineral Spirits

• Power Sander, Sandpaper & Sanding Sponges in Multiple Grits

• Metal Paint Scraper

• Wood Filler

• Wood Glue

• Paint and Primer

• Wood Stain

• Wood Sealant, Finishing Oil, Varnish, Finishing Wax, Shellac

• Empty Paint or Coffee Cans or Buckets

• Clamps

• First Aid Kit

• Pumice Hand Soap

A word of caution for the super newbies… Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Speaking from experience, it’s easy to look at the potential of an old piece of furniture and become committed to the opportunity for improvement. But, without having a clear grasp on the actual workload or skills necessary to achieve it, diving right in can end in disappointment or unnecessary aggravation. Not to mention the dreaded “imposter syndrome.” When teaching yourself new skills, it’s easy to doubt your abilities and convince yourself that this is just not for you. Beginning on an overly challenging or complicated piece could needlessly fuel that thought.

So, if possible, find something you’re not that attached to and practice different techniques using various combinations of the products listed above. Test the techniques for application to get a feel for what comes naturally versus what requires more patience or skill. Practice until you’re feeling comfortable. The great thing about refinishing is that there’s always something new to learn along the way with each unique piece you complete.

Have fun and good luck! Don’t forget to submit your project here to be featured on our blog.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve found some must-have products to have on hand for your projects!