How To Restore Old Desk

What You Will Need

Restoring an old desk can be a fun and rewarding project, but it is also a labor-intensive one. Before you begin, you will need to gather the necessary supplies. You will need a screwdriver, sandpaper, wood glue, wood putty, wood stain, and a brush or cloth. You may also need a chisel and hammer if the desk is particularly old and hard to work with. You can find all of these supplies at most home improvement stores.

Disassembling the Desk

Once you have all of your supplies, the first step is to disassemble the desk. Remove all of the screws and hinges and place them in a safe place. If the wood is particularly old and fragile, be sure to use gentle pressure when removing screws. Once all of the screws have been removed, carefully separate the parts of the desk and set them aside.

Sanding the Desk

The next step is to sand the desk. Start with a medium grit sandpaper and sand the entire desk, paying special attention to the edges and corners. If there are any deep scratches or gouges, you may need to use a finer grit sandpaper to remove them. Be sure to keep the sandpaper moving at all times to avoid creating any deep scratches in the wood.

Staining the Desk

Once you have sanded the desk, you can begin staining it. Apply a coat of wood stain to the entire desk using a brush or cloth. Allow the stain to dry completely before applying a second coat. Once the stain has dried, you can use a rag to buff the desk and give it a nice shine.

Reassembling the Desk

Once the desk is stained, you can begin reassembling it. Start by applying wood glue to all of the joints and then use the screwdriver to reattach the screws. If there are any cracks or gaps in the wood, use wood putty to fill them in. Allow the glue and putty to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Finishing Touches

The last step is to finish the desk. Apply a coat of furniture wax to the entire desk and allow it to dry completely. This will help protect the wood and give it a nice shine. Once the wax is dry, you can use a soft cloth to buff the desk and give it a final shine.