Hi all …

I’m new to refinishing furniture and recently I went to the local used furniture place and picked up what I think is an interesting chair.  I want this to be a learning experience and it is important for me to get the process right.

So far, I’ve managed to take it apart and even got down to re-gluing a broken part.

So now for my plan of action:

(1) Determine Wood Type:
Find out what type of wood I’m dealing with. Since it is as hard as heck and really doesn’t sand easily, is close to white in colour and I can see the rings (terminology?) …  Maple!

(2) Sand Until Smooth:
Since it is painted(?) across the grain and quite scratched, I am sanding it starting with 80 grit and working up to 220 using a 1/4″ sheet sander, sanding sponge, micro-abrasive pads and hand sanding. I interchange whichever sanding method I use based on how frustrated I become with the particular method I am using.

(3) Fill Dents, Pores and Deep Scratches:
For the dents and scratches I want to use Elmer’s Wood Filler and for the pores (I’m assuming there are pores requiring filling) I plan on using 4F Pumice.

(4) Light Finish Sanding;
A once over with 320 grit.

(5) Add Colour:
Since I want it to be black and shiny I was thinking of painting it with latex enamel priming first, sanding with 220, followed by sanding with 320 after each of 2 coats of black.

(6) Finishing:
I was thinking of putting on three or more coats of Varathane Diamond Wood Finish (since I have some) and Laquer doesn’t go over water based finishes.

I have a photo below of the chair as bought and a close up of a sanded area to help determine wood type.

Whatever advice anyone want to give I’m all ears.

Bob