DIY Mahogany Furniture Refinishing

Mahogany is a material with an open grain structure, resulting in an uneven staining in instances where grain filler is not used on the surface prior to stain application. In general, this is the biggest difference when comparing refinishing jobs involving mahogany and other wood types. Stains that are applied to mahogany surfaces will ideally complement the natural red-type tint of the surface wood. The mahogany refinishing process is not too difficult, taking only two days to complete. 

You will need the following materials: Rubber Gloves, Paintbrush, Steel Wool, Sandpaper, Safety Goggles, Solvent Stripper, Dust Mask, Stain, Grain Filler, Putty Knife, polyurethane sealer.

Step 1

Place a drop cloth in the area where you will be working. Move the piece on top of the cloth. Ideally, you'll want to choose a location like a garage or patio that is well ventilated and safe from harm, in case you happen to spill.

Step 2

The solvent stripper should be applied to the wood's surface using a soft cloth. Give the solvent time to sit... 10 minutes should do the trick. Grab your putty knife and scrape the seal away on the wood's surface. Steel wool can be used to remove any sealant from hard to reach areas and corners.

Step 3

The stripping solution should be rinsed with water and dried with soft cloths.

Step 4

Sand the furniture with 120-grit sandpaper before moving to the 220-grit. Be sure to wipe away any sawdust with a damp, soft cloth. Give the piece a good 10 minutes more to dry.

Step 5

Now you can apply the grain filler to the surface of the mahogany using a soft rag. Work the filler to the grain of the surface wood, allowing an hour to dry. After your hour is up, scrape away any remaining filler on the surface of the mahogany using a putty knife. Afterwards, take to the surface with good 220-grit sandpaper.

Step 6

Next, apply some stain to a soft rag and run it on the surface of the wood in the direction of the grain. If you want a lighter shade, rub off quickly. If you desire a darker stain, allow it to sit for a longer period of time. Apply in little sections, taking care to overlap just a little into the sections that border the area you happen to be working on currently.

Step 7

Once your stain has dried completely, add a coat of polyurethane sealer to the wood's surface. Once again, you will need to apply in the direction of the grain. Allow 2 hours to dry. Sand using 400-grit sandpaper and add an additional coat of sealer once you're through. Inspect the piece as you go, ensuring that no area has been missed. Give the wood a good 24-hour period of hands-off time to properly dry and cure before using your furniture piece.