How to refinish your furniture.

1. The first step is to evaluate the repairs that need to be done and then decide a strategy to accomplish that. Then make all repairs before you do sanding.

2. After the the repairs are made then its time to sand with #80-#100 grit sandpaper. Then sand with #120 grit sandpaper with the grain to remove any  marks left by the #100 grit paper.

3. Apply the  color of stain you have chosen liberally with a natual bristle brush. Minwax stain works well on many pieces like oak furniture. However a good oil based pigmented stain is hard to beat for controlling color variations. Apply the satin liberally and then wipe off immediately. Let dry at least 24 hours then

4. Next day look at the piece and see if the basic color is going to work , if not then you may  have to apply another coat of stain to make darker. Let dry thoroughly.

5. Now apply first coat of Formbys low gloss tongue oil or Deft Clear Wood Finish (Satin).

6. When dry then lightly smooth with a Scotch Bright pad but not hard enough to cut through the finishing and into the stain.

7. Wipe of all dust with a cotton rag. Re-apply another coat if finish.

8. Sometimes you need to touch a few spots up with stain in between your coats.

9. Keep applying coats of finish until your satisfied with the amount of film thickness your your piece.

10. After you are totally finished with your piece,  wait for a few days and rub out with a soft cotton cloth and Lemon Pledge and you'll have a very nice professional finishing job.