Starting Refurbishing:
To start with, move your furniture outside or open the windows and turn on the fan. This is suggested, as furniture stripping is best done in well ventilated areas or else you might inhale the fumes of the chemical stripper. If working outside, try to move under the shade to prevent the chemical stripper from drying before you can finish working with it. Once you have moved your furniture out, apply a chemical stripper to the surface, taking care that your hands are gloved while you are doing this. When the stripper has been generously applied, lay a piece of plastic wrap over the treated area. Let the furniture set for some time and then using a utility knife or paint scrapper, scrape off the paint. Remember to scrape in the direction of the wood grain only. You may note that even after scrapping thoroughly, you may need to scrub with a wire brush to loosen the last stubborn spots. Then using sandpaper, dust all of the grit off the furniture and wipe with a damp cloth. The final step is to stain the furniture. However, before you apply the stain to the furniture make sure that all traces of dust have been wiped off the furniture as small particles of dust may hinder the appearance of an otherwise perfect piece of furniture. Depending upon your need and choice of look, you may either apply a clear coat of stain to your furniture or a colored stain. While applying the coats, allow the furniture to dry between the coats.
Effective Substitutes:
An effective substitute to stain is to paint the furniture. You may choose a color that would reflect the look of your room. While applying paint also, it is very essential that you let the furniture dry between the coats to avoid bubbles and streaks in paint. If however you are looking for something that can provide a rich and unique look to your furniture, try to use one of the varieties of faux finishes. These can actually provide your furniture with a crackle finish or a worn country look.
Adding Finish:
The closing step for any application, whether paint or stain, involves the application of furniture wax. If you do not wish to spend on the refurbishing of your furniture time and again, it is important that you reapply the wax a few times a year to maintain a protective coating on the furniture.