How to Refinish Cherry Furniture

Cherry wood furniture has an intense depth of color and variation. Refinishing cherry furniture can result in blotching. However, this is largely a question of preference. Some people like the appearance of furniture with blotches, while others prefer the cherry finish in its more natural state.

Thoroughly clean furniture with mild soap and water. Keep a dry towel on hand to wipe up the water as you go. Never leave water on the surface of your natural wood furniture.

Sand off the original finish using a palm sander. Attach fine grit sand paper to the electric palm sander and work with gentle pressure in a circular motion. Using fine grit sand paper will prevent scratches. Use loose sheets of sand paper and sand by hand to remove finish from areas the sander can't reach. Continue until you are left with bare wood.

Wipe away all sanding dust with a damp rag.

Apply washcoat with a brush. A washcoat will prevent your stain from soaking deeper into certain parts of your wood than others. Mix the washcoat according to the manufacturer's directions. Allow it to dry completely.

Sand the washcoat by hand with 220-grit or higher sandpaper. Sand lightly to avoid removing too much of the wash coat. Wipe away sanding dust with a damp rag.

Use a clean rag to apply gel stain or oil, wiping away any excess with a clean rag. You can also apply a clear shellac.