Sanding down a wooden table: Get that gorgeous tabletop gleam
- Difficultyeasy
- Cost< 25 £
- Duration< 1 h
Introduction
Has your table served you well over the years but is now looking a bit worse for wear? Is its surface riddled with scratches and stains that spoil its shine? Not to worry! Buying a new tabletop can be a hassle, not to mention expensive, so use some DIY table sanding techniques along with some oil or varnish to bring back some elegance to your table. Our guide will teach you how to do just that.
- brush (for wood varnish)
- Wood oil/varnish
Let's go! Step-by-step guide on sanding and varnishing a wooden table
In the following step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to sand a wooden table and then apply oil or varnish to it. Make sure you read the “Tips & Planning” section before you begin to find useful tips and extra information about the process.
Are you familiar with the Bosch 18V System? We have hundreds of power tools for a range of applications that all share the same 18-volt battery pack. This means you can effortlessly switch from tool to tool as you work. Simply remove the battery, plug it into another tool, and move on to the next step!
As with all DIY projects, safety is paramount. Pay close attention to the necessary safety precautions to protect yourself and those around you. Find all the important information in our guide on DIY safety precautions.
The best place for sanding a wooden table is outside, either in the open air or in your garage. This is because sanding produces fine dust and wood shavings that can be easily breathed in and damage your respiratory tract. Don’t forget to wear a mask, regardless of whether you’re working indoors or outdoors. Read our guide on dust extraction for more information.
Prepare the table
First off, you need to clean the table thoroughly with a cleaning agent that’s suitable for use on wooden surfaces. If you can remove any stains at this stage, you’ll get much better results later.
First sanding phase
It’s best to start with a coarse grit sandpaper and work your way up to finer grits, so put an 80-grit sandpaper in your belt sander or orbital sander to begin. A belt sander is ideal for coarse sanding, as is an orbital sander, which utilises oscillating vibrations to make hard work much more pleasant. For this initial sanding phase, make sure you sand at an angle to the grain. This is the best way to remove dirt and any irregularities in the grain.
For edges, curves, and corners, we recommend a random orbit sander or a multi-sander. The latter option in particular excels in small and awkward areas. If your table legs also need sanding, remove them using a cordless drill and then repeat the above process, preferably with a multi-sander. Again, start with a sandpaper grit of 80. After you’re done, use a vacuum to get rid of all the sanding dust and shavings so they don’t scratch or damage the wood surface.
Sanding evenly
Second sanding phase
For the second sanding phase, use 120-grit sandpaper and again work diagonally across the grain. Then change technique and begin sanding with the grain. Once more, vacuum away any dust and shavings that are produced.
Third sanding phase
Now you can jump up a grit level again, this time to a 180-grit sandpaper. Make sure you only sand in the direction of the grain, as this will give you the best finish. Don’t forget to vacuum and clean up all the dust when you’re finished.
Treat the wooden table
If you’re not sure whether you’d prefer to use oil or varnish on your table, read the “Tips & Planning” chapter below for a complete list of pros and cons on each type of finish.
If you’ve decided on using wood oil, use a wide brush to apply it and wait a few minutes for it to be absorbed. Now, remove any excess oil with a soft cotton cloth. The overall drying time will depend on the oil you use, but we recommend waiting at least three hours. When it's dry, sand the surface one last time with a 280-grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain, before applying another thin coat of oil and polishing the surface with a cotton cloth. Leave the whole table to dry for a few hours, and then you’re all done!
If you want to varnish your wooden table after sanding, use a paint spray system to make the whole process easier. You can find everything you need to know about these tools in our paint spraying guide. Of course, you could also use a regular paintbrush.
Congratulations! You now have an (almost) brand new wooden table! If you now want to sand other things, we have plenty of guides on how to sand and varnish wooden doors, floorboards, walls, and even how to sand concrete. Our DIY knowledge section is a real treasure trove of information!
Is there a spark of creativity inside you? Ever thought about making your own table? Find out how you can build a DIY pallet table or make a DIY standing table with our handy guides.
What about a DIY bedside table made from a tree trunk? You could also try your hand at making a balcony table or a DIY coffee table for your living room. Get inspired by our huge range of DIY table ideas and creative DIY sanding projects!
Be safe when oiling
Tips & planning for table sanding
Here, you’ll find some additional information that’ll help you with sanding and treating a wooden table properly.
Should I use oil or varnish after sanding my wooden table?
This decision is yours to make and yours only. The answer depends on both your table’s purpose and your own personal preference. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the various advantages and disadvantages of both oil and varnish:
Oil
- Very breathable substance
- Emphasises the texture of the wood
- No additional protective layer on the surface (compared to varnish)
- Offers no additional protection against dirt
- Can prevent stains and moisture penetration to a certain extent
- Good depth of protection
- Protection lasts longer than varnish
- Makes the wood feel pleasant to the touch
- Must be refreshed regularly
Varnish
- Not breathable
- Wood texture is completely covered if using coloured varnish
- Offers a very good surface protection layer that can even prevent scratches
- Protection lasts for a shorter time than with oil (but is instead more effective over a shorter period)
- Dirt doesn’t cling to the paint
- High scratch sensitivity
If you value natural-looking wood, you’ll be more satisfied using wood oil. The wood’s natural grain and texture really shine through with oil. On the other hand, varnish is more versatile. You can sand a varnished table and then apply a new coat in any colour you like. Oiled wood, however, is almost impossible to customise, as it can't be easily varnished or coloured.
Wood oil needs to be topped up regularly. The frequency with which it needs reapplying will depend on what your table is being used for. If you have an oiled worktop in the kitchen, for instance, it will probably need re-oiling around once a year to protect the surface against moisture and abrasion.
Can I sand tables by hand?
If you’d rather not buy or use any equipment, sanding a table by hand is possible. You’ll need sanding sponges or a sanding block, as well as sandpaper in various grit sizes. Sanding a table by hand is far more labour-intensive and time-consuming, but it’s certainly a much cheaper option for smaller items of furniture and areas with minor damage.
How do I sand tables with wooden decorations?
Wooden carvings, decorations and ornaments on your wooden table should always be sanded by hand. As with machines, work from coarse to fine grit sandpaper and take extra care when sanding. The type and quality of the wood will determine whether you start with an 80, 100 or 120-grit sandpaper. Use a coarser grit for hardwoods and fine grits for softwoods.
Costs for sanding and treating a wooden table
If you’ve already got all the tools, you’ll only have to pay for sandpaper and your chosen finish (oil or varnish). For a typical desk, coffee table or dining table, you can get everything you need for less than £25. Sanding a table DIY-style is incredibly cheap.
However, it’s a little pricier if you have to buy the tools. A belt sander can set you back around £115, while a cordless multi-sander could cost upwards of £130 with a battery and charging cable.