How To Finish a Wood Table

Finishing a wood table gives you the chance to put your personal stamp on your furniture, whether you’re customizing a pre-made piece or completing a project from scratch. Proper preparation and attention to detail can help you to achieve something professional-looking. Read our guide below for tips on how to prepare a wood surface, how to stain it, and how to maintain your piece once you’re done. 

Preparing the Wood Surface for Staining

Prepare the wood so that the stain can adhere and create a smooth, even appearance. 

Sanding the Wood

Sanding your wood is the first and most important step in preparing your wood table for finishing. Follow the steps below.

1. Start with 120-grit sandpaper and work your way up to finer grits.
2. Sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches.
3. Get a smooth surface by using progressively finer sandpaper until you finish with 180-grit.
4. Remove all dust between sanding sessions with a tack cloth or vacuum.

Hand sanding is usually the best method for this project because it gives you lots of control and reduces the risk of over-sanding. Power sanders can be too aggressive, and may damage the wood surface.

Applying Wood Conditioner

Once you’re done sanding, apply a wood conditioner, especially if you’re working with softer woods such as pine or fir.  Wood conditioner helps to prevent blotchiness and absorb stains. Follow the steps below.

1. Pair water-based conditioners with water-based stains, and oil-based conditioners with oil-based stains.
2. Apply the conditioner evenly using a clean cloth or brush.
3. Allow the conditioner to penetrate the wood for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours.
4. Wipe off any excess conditioner with a clean cloth.

Staining the Wood

Staining enhances the wood’s natural grain and color, and gives your table depth and character. Follow the steps below for a professional-looking stain job:

Choosing the Right Stain

Select a stain that complements your decor and enhances your wood’s natural beauty. Oil-based stains are durable and offer rich color, while water-based options dry more quickly and are easier to clean. Remember that your conditioner, stain, and finish should be either all oil-based or all water-based.

Applying the Stain

Carefully apply even coats of stain across the entire wood surface. Follow the more specific steps below.

1. Stir the stain thoroughly before use. Never shake the can, as this can create bubbles.
2. Apply the stain liberally using a clean cloth, brush, or foam applicator. 
3. Apply the stain evenly across the wood’s surface in small sections. 
4. Allow the stain to penetrate the wood for at least 10 minutes.
5. Wipe off excess stain with a clean, lint-free cloth, and move in the direction of the wood grain.

The longer you let the stain penetrate the wood before wiping it, the darker your final color will be. If you’re not satisfied with the shade, you can always apply another coat.

Pro Tip: Jen from This Old House’s House One advises applying a pre-stain conditioner, especially on soft pine and plywood: let the conditioner soak in for at least 5 to 10 minutes, but no more than two hours, before applying your stain. If you apply stain directly over wet conditioner, “the stain mixes with the conditioner that’s still sitting on top of the wood. It waters down the color and will give you an uneven finish.”

Drying Time

Allow the stained wood to dry completely overnight before you move on to the finishing step. This is especially important in humid conditions or cooler temperatures. 

Applying the Finish to the Wood Table

The final step in finishing your wood table is applying a protective topcoat, which will help to protect the wood from moisture, scratches, and staining.

Choosing the Right Finish

Polyurethane is a popular choice because it’s durable and easy to apply. It’s available in both oil-based and water-based varieties, and each has its own advantages:

• Oil-based polyurethane is durable and offers a warm amber glow.
• Water-based polyurethane dries especially quickly, and doesn’t have as strong an odor, but may not be as durable.

Important: Whatever base you start with, stay consistent throughout the entire finishing process. If you use an oil-based wood conditioner and an oil-based stain, follow up with an oil-based polyurethane. As the TOH team advises: “Once you start with oil, finish with oil. Start with water, finish with water.” Mixing bases can cause adhesion problems and an uneven finish.

Applying Polyurethane

Follow the steps below to very carefully apply polyurethane:

1. Stir the polyurethane gently to mix the ingredients without creating bubbles. Do not shake it.
2. Apply with a high-quality natural bristle brush if you’re using oil-based finishes, or a synthetic brush if you’re using water-based products.
3. Apply thin, even coats, and work in the direction of the wood grain.
4. Even out the finish with a final, gentle stroke of the bristle tips along the grain.
5. Allow each coat to dry completely, and lightly sand the wood with 220-grit sandpaper between coats.
6. Wipe away sanding dust with a tack cloth before you apply each coat.
7. Apply at least two coats for adequate protection. Apply three coats if you’re finishing a high-use surface.

Final Touches

Complete your project with the following steps:

1. Allow the finish to cure completely, which may take several days.
2. Avoid placing objects on the surface during this time to prevent marks or indentations.
3. Buff the wood’s surface with a soft cloth once it has cured.

Addressing Common Challenges When Finishing a Wood Table

Do-it-yourself enthusiasts can handle a table-finishing project themselves, but small complications are inevitable. Follow the steps below to address these:

Blotchy Stains

Blotchy stains occur when wood absorbs stain unevenly. You can prevent this by sanding and using a wood conditioner first. 

Dust in the Finish

Dust settling on wet finish can create a rough surface. To prevent this, finish the project in a dust-free environment, and wipe down surfaces with a tack cloth before applying each coat. If dust has already settled, lightly sand the wood with fine-grit sandpaper.

Finish Drip Marks

Drip marks can spoil your tabletop’s smooth surface. Apply thin coats to prevent excess finish from dripping. If drips do occur, sand them out gently once the coat has dried, then reapply a smooth, thin layer of finish.

Inconsistent Color

Apply stain and finish with uniform methods to prevent inconsistent color installments. Stir the stain regularly during use to distribute pigments evenly. Work section by section to avoid overlapping marks or uneven color.

Polyurethane Bubbles

Wood finish should be the opposite of James Bond’s martini: stirred, not shaken. Bubbles in polyurethane can result from shaking the can or using a low-quality brush. Always stir the polyurethane gently, and apply it with a high-quality brush. If bubbles appear, use long, smooth strokes to brush them out while the finish is still wet.

Pro Tip: Before dipping your brush into polyurethane, soak the bristles in mineral spirits (for oil-based polys) or water (for water-based polys). Skipping this step is a common cause of bubbles. Also, after dipping about one-third of the brush into the finish, gently slap it against the inside of the container rather than scraping the bristles over the edge—scraping leaves the brush too dry to apply a coat of the right thickness.

Finished Wood Table Maintenance and Care

Follow the steps below to properly maintain your newly finished wood table:

• Avoid harsh cleaning products that can damage the finish.
• Clean the surface regularly with a soft, damp cloth.
• Reapply a coat of polyurethane every few years to protect the wood.
• Use coasters under drinks to prevent water rings.

Pro Tip: Norm Abram, master carpenter on This Old House, recommends an oil-based wipe-on polyurethane for table finishes: “It offers great protection, has the look of a hand-rubbed oil finish, and is easy to apply. It also dries more quickly than brush-on polyurethanes.” When it’s time to recoat your table, wipe-on poly is the most forgiving option for non-pros.

Cleaning Caution: Avoid harsh cleansers containing ammonia or bleach, which can eat away the finish and raise the wood grain. Instead, wipe down the surface daily with a damp cloth and a small amount of dish soap, then follow with a clean, damp cloth. To sanitize, spritz with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wipe away.

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