How Do You Restore an Old Oak Table

Clean Off Dirt and Wax. Whether or not repairs are necessary, you should always begin a restoration project by cleaning the piece of furniture. … Strip the Finish and Make Repairs. … Sand With Medium and Medium-Fine Paper. … Seal and Stain. … Apply a Protective Finish.

How do you bring an oak table back to life?

Wait for the stain to dry completely, then brush on a light coat of polyurethane varnish. Use long, even strokes, working in the direction of the grain. Once the sealer dries, sand lightly with 320-grit sandpaper, then repeat to create a long-lasting protective finish for your oak table.

Can you sand silky oak?

Timber with a more open grain, particularly silky oak, benefits from wetting down after sanding first to raise the grain. When dry, sand with about 400 to 600 grit sandpaper and then burnish.