Description: Easy tips for refinishing (staining or painting) a second hand desk.

There are few things more beautiful than wood furniture, and that includes desks. However, over time wood can crack and dry and begin to become damaged. The surface can become dull and soiled, and there even may be dark splotches and rings. This can mar the beauty of your furniture, and spoil the neat appearance of your office or den.

In order to preserve the look of wooden desks, refinishing can help restore the shine to the wood. It also serves to protect the wood as much as to enhance the appearance of the wood. In desks made from cherry, walnut, and mahogany, refinishing can show off the grain contrasts that exist in these woods.

When you think of refinishing it, start off with cleaning the old and dirty layer first. Now, this cleaning should not be done with water in any form. For example use only wood friendly solvent and not water based ones. The refinishing begins with stripping the old finish. Wood friendly remover is used for the purpose. You buy a good one from any home improvement store or specialty shop selling fine furniture. Then use mild solvent to clean the residue.

You will need to sand the surface of the desks if it is rough. You can sand the entire desk down but only after you have cleaned everything off, removing the old finish and paint, if any. You can use an electric sander to make this process easier.

Next, it is time to decide on a color and sheen for your desk. You can refinish the desk close to its original color, or you can make a color change, depending on the stain that you use. Before you do the entire desk, make sure you test the color of the stain on an out-of-the way portion of the desk, or on a similar piece of wood. You want to make sure that when the stain dries, it is the color that you prefer.

If you want a glossy look of the desk you can choose from a variety of glossy levels. Most home improvement and furniture specialty shops sell spray on finishes. Many people prefer the matte finish that is not shiny, but has a more natural look. However, if you want shiny high-gloss sheen you will find a whole range of sprays of different glossy levels.

Though the wooden desk look their best without being painted over, you can add a coat of paint if you prefer. Remember, these paints can ruin the look of the desk so just be very careful when you choose one or else let the natural look be there.

Before applying paint, make sure you have a good finish on the wood. This will not only protect the wood but make it easier to revert back to natural wood, in case you change your mind after some time. Finally, apply a clear-coat on your desk's paint after the final coat of paint dries.

Reggie Carvel is the chief writer for, and editor of Art Desks, it's one of the webs most up to date Desk sites, their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. For more quality articles on Desk why not visit: http://www.artdesks.com/articles

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