Waxed Bare Wood Coffee Table
Four or five years ago, I picked up a dark stained round coffee table while thrifting. At the time painted furniture was very popular and the table itself looked really dated with the super dark wood. I painted it a very light color to go in my living room at the time. After a while I started to wonder what the wood looked like underneath all of the paint and stain and if there was a treasure underneath. Once I started removing the paint, i realized there was a beautiful surprise waiting for me.I also did this on a smaller piece such as wood mirror. I can’t wait to show you and how it turned out and how I removed the paint!
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Why Use and Older Piece of Furniture over a Newer One?
Older furniture tends to be much more well made than modern coffee tables. The bones can be the same, but they tend to have better made materials and older wood can even be stronger than newer fast grown wood.
Removing the Old Paint on the Coffee Table with Sanding
For some reason I thought that sanding was going to be the best option. If I knew then what I know now I would have used furniture stripper like I did on this fireplace. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but I decided to take a few days, buy some new sanding pads for (affiliate link)our sander,and tackle it. I figured if I sanded it, and the wood was awful, or I hated it, I could always repaint it. There was nothing lost except a few hours of my time and the cost of sandpaper. I transformed this smaller table by hand sanding and cerusing it, and the grain on the naked wood is so gorgeous.
If Sanding Old Painted Furniture Check for Lead Paint
One note about taking the sanding option. I painted the coffee table myself with paint I had on hand from a previous projects so I knew the paint didn’t contain any lead paint. If sanding older furniture that you’re not sure of the paint used, make sure to always do a lead check test first because another method may need to be used to remove the paint or it may need to be done professionally. Kits can be bought online and. many home improvement stores carry them as well.
Revealing the Bare Wood Underneath
I started, to sand away the paint and was immediately excited. The bare wood looked beautiful underneath! It had an amazing grain and color. If I had known this sooner, I would have probably not even painted it. That’s why it’s so important to look at the bones of furniture and not just the color or finish. When Sanding make sure to use your proper personal safety gear when sanding!
So, it was slower going to get the results. The sanding pads tended to get gummed up with paint over time, so I would have to stop and clear them, or change pads after a while, even with a 60 grit pad. This is why I wished I had used a furniture stripper instead of sanding.
Protect the Bare Wood with a Finish like Paste Wax
Luckily, I had really good weather to go outside and tackle it. After I had it sanded to where there was some paint and old finish left, but it was mostly wood, I used a tack cloth to remove any of the dust and particles left over from sanding. To protect the table top surface, I finished it with white paste wax. I wanted to give it a slightly lighter/pickled /washed wood look. Wax isn’t the most durable finish, but gives it a lovely sheen. A polyacrylic or varnish would be more durable.
Bare Wood Adds Warmth to a Living Space
The wood ended up being so beautiful! And the original wood had this amazing wood pattern on it.
I left some paint on the edge, and in the detail to give the wood coffee table with white wax a rustic feel, and a bit of a Restoration Hardware look in the seating area. This is where furniture stripper would help with that.
I love how it changes the entire look of the room too. I love painted furniture, but sometimes I also love real wood. It really adds a warm element to the space, if it’s the right shade and looks so good with all of the organic elements.
On the base, I left just enough old stain, and paint to add visual texture to the wood coffee table with white wax .
I am really happy I decided to spend a few hours to see what was underneath. A few people asked me how well the wax finish will hold up. I have this post about paste wax vs. polyacrylic, and the best way to seal furniture. In my house, hopefully a while. This time I was picking the look over the functionality. I could have done a white wash on it with paint, and then poly-ed it, but I really wanted it to look a certain way. I also know wax can show rings if someone leaves a cold, wet glass on it and we tend to get dirty feet put on furniture too, so I might be moaning in a few months, but for now, I love it.
Your coffee table turned out really nice! Sooo pretty! It did look great painted white but this is also nice! Funny that you mentioned Restoration Hardware… I visited one in Plano/Frisco yesterday! Going to write up a post or two! Beautiful furniture there! And the chandeliers!!!
Have a great day,
Barb:)
Thanks Barb! It was such a nice treat to find such great wood underneath! I love it there too!
Thank you Barb! It was such a joy to find such great wood underneath! I love Restoration Hardware too!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the bits of paint that remain.❤️❤️❤️
When a blogger asks which we prefer — a painted piece or furniture or one with natural wood — I will think of this project!
I think the era of so much painted furniture might be nearing its end.
(I’ve been around long enough to know that these things come in cycles.)
Looks good!
I am refinishing a similar table currently. Can I ask what brand of white paste did you use?
Thanks!
It was Annie Sloan white paste wax.
I love it! I kept scrolling for a full shot 🙂 I wanted more!
I’ve got one realllly similar, and now I want to see if I can do the same.
I am using it in a room makeover, so I’ll have a full one next month 🙂
I’ll have one soon! I am using it in a room makeover, so I cna’t quite show the entire thing yet. 🙂
I love it, that’s the problem with painting wood, sometimes you cover that amazing detail of the wood grain. Looking forward to seeing the room again in a future post. My dad was a carpenter and always said sand with the grain so I always worry about sanding with an orbital sander. Did you notice and problems with that? I guess the pickling look helps with any scratchy look. I love the detail on the edge and agree that leaving the paint on makes it pop. Beautiful.
HI Carole. I actually didn’t have any issues with that, but once I got past the paint layer, I switched to a high grit sandpaper so it basically buffed the rest out.
Love the final look of your table. I have a few pieces I’m debating how to finish, probably with clear wax.
Me too. I love the look of wax, but I will tell you one of the kids has already left a watermark. Ugh. Those kids!
It turned out great. Love the detailed edge.
Thank you Becky!!!
Oh my goodness, that turned out so pretty! Love it.
Thank you Stacey!!!
This turned out really great! I love both painted and wood furniture too! I think paint is great way to update a really dated piece of furniture, but i actually prefer wood, if it is a nice piece. I also love the look of wax, and i really like the finish you made on this…. cool project! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Julie!
I have some old wooden bar stools with quite a bit of detail on the backs. I was thinking of painting them but now I think I’ll try white paste wax. Thanks for the idea!
You’re so welcome Rachel!
What a fabulous table!! That must have been an incredible surprise to begin sanding and find that gorgeous wood underneath. Restoration Hardware doesn’t have anything close to your table! A couple of years ago, my husband and I got the itch to start using wax instead of poly because the furniture looked so much richer with the wax. We have 5 grandsons and our restored coffee table is in the room where the television is located. They have watched many movies, sometimes using the table as a seat, there have been some glasses on the table even with our “no food or drink allowed outside of the kitchen rule”, and so far the table looks as great as it did two years ago. Keeping our fingers crossed.
Thank you! It really turned out nicely! We almost made it a month before a ring appeared.
Oh no! I feel bad having told you I haven’t gotten any rings for a couple of years now. Maybe it’s a difference in waxes. Regardless, ring or no ring…it’s still FABULOUS!!
Oh no Judith, I am sure it’s just my children! They are a little crazy!