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Refinishing Second Hand Desks
by Reggie Carvel
http://www.artdesks.com
Wood furniture is beautiful but it tends to dry up and crack
after some time. Wooden desks often develop dark splodges
and rings, giving the surface a dull and soiled look. This
ruins the beauty of your furniture, and spoils the neat
appearance of your office or den.
If you learn how to refinish your wooden desks you can
preserve the original look and restore the shine to the
wood. Refinishing protects the wood as much as it enhances
the appearance of the wood. Moreover, refinishing can bring
back the grain contrasts that exist in desks made from
cherry, walnut, and mahogany.
The first step in the process of refinishing the desk is to
strip the old finish. Make sure you use a remover that is
safe for use on wood furniture. You can find these products
at home improvement stores and specialty shops that sell
fine furniture. Look for a friendly solvent to clean up the
residue left by the remover. Remember not to use a
water-based solvent for cleaning and never clean desks or
other fine wood furniture with water.
Once the cleaning process is over remove the left over
finish or any paint by sanding the entire desk. You can also
use an electric sander to make the sanding process easier
and faster. Sanding is all the more important if you are
using a rough surfaced desk.
Now, comes the actual step of refinishing. Decide a color
tone and sheen for your desk also, whether you want to stick
to the older one or a new color. Do remember to patch test
the color on an out of way portion of the desk or a similar
piece of wood and ensure that you get the color you want
after the stain dries. Once you are convinced with the color
of the stain you can go ahead with painting the entire desk.
If you want a glossy look of the desk you can choose from a
variety of glossy levels. Most home improvement and
furniture specialty shops sell spray on finishes. Many
people prefer the matte finish that is not shiny, but has a
more natural look. However, if you want shiny high-gloss
sheen you will find a whole range of sprays of different
glossy levels.
Though the wooden desk look their best without being painted
over, you can add a coat of paint if you prefer. Remember,
these paints can ruin the look of the desk so just be very
careful when you choose one or else let the natural look be
there.
Before applying paint, make sure you have a good finish on
the wood. This will not only protect the wood but make it
easier to revert back to natural wood, in case you change
your mind after some time. Finally, apply a clear-coat on
your desk's paint after the final coat of paint dries.
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