Many of you had inquired about the recent table project that I completed, where I bleached my table, so I thought I would put a little post together of the process. I scored this antique table at Goodwill for $3.99! Yes, you read that right! I was in such disbelief! Initially I wanted to make this table top into a sign. It didn’t work in my favor. (those of you that saw my IG stories will know the inside joke) I decided to tackle the table as a refinishing project. I lov seeing before and afters of furniture pieces. It was a long process, but so worth it in the end! Before I started this project, I made sure to have on the proper safety gear…rubber gloves, a breathing mask, and eye goggles to protect myself from some of the items I would be using to transform this table. Sorry for the shabby before photos. I hadn’t planned on blogging about this, hence the unprepared photos.
I used Citri-Strip furniture stripping gel to remove the stain and sealer on the table legs. I like to use Citri-Strip better than other strippers, as it is a citrus stripping agent that is biodegradable. But to be honest, I ultimately hate stripping furniture. Citri-Strip doesn’t have the nasty, harsh smell and fumes of other stripping gels. It actually smells citrus-like, just like it’s name. After applying the gel with a paint brush on the table legs, I covered it with plastic wrap, in order to keep the gel active/wet and from drying out too quickly.
After a couple hours, I removed the plastic wrap and scrubbed off the stripping gel using mineral spirits with a lint free cloth. Once the stripper was removed, I wiped the table with a lint free cloth and just plain ol’ water. In the small crevices on the spindles I used my daughter’s toothbrush to scrub the stripping agent when removing. Don’t worry…we got her a new one. The stain did not come off as easily on the legs, so I used the bleach process 5 times in all, with some sanding in between coats to get the stubborn dark areas off that were not coming off with the stripping gel. In the end, I’m glad that some of the dark stayed in the cracks because it gave it more contrast after using the liming wax. When sanding the detail of the legs, I used 100-150 grit sandpaper, to try to keep from scratching the wood.
On the top, which was flat, I used 60 grit sandpaper to remove the sealer and stain with my Dewalt hand sander, followed with 100 grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface. I wiped the table down with a lint free cloth, after sanding, and then applied 100% bleach to a lint free cloth and wiped it directly to the table. Make sure you have a mask and gloves for this process as the bleach scent is very overwhelming. After applying bleach, I would wait for the bleach to soak in and dry in the sun completely before repeating. I applied bleach 3 times to get it to the desired shade I was looking for on the table top. It’s still drying in this photo here. (sorry about the blurry photo, I had to take a screen shot of a video here)
Once I finished bleaching and sanding the table, it was ready for a final sanding with a fine grit sanding block. I like to do this to really smooth out the table top.
Finally, I finished the table by applying a coat of Briwax Liming Wax. I used a cheese cloth and made sure to wear a mask and gloves, as this wax can be an irritant and is super strong in odor. After I applied the wax, I went over it lightly with 150 grit sand paper to thin it out a little. Now to find a place for my table. I knew I didn’t need another table, but I just couldn’t help myself. I wanted to transform it into something different and I love the way it turned out!
I haven’t used any type of “sealer” on the table yet. I’m a little nervous that it will take the “liming look” away. I tried Some wax on one of the corners just to test it for sealing and it didn’t work so great. I’m always up for suggestions (below in the comments) if you have done this process before and used a sealer after liming wax that has worked out good for you.
Thank you so much for those of you that followed along this process over on IG @vintageporch! It was a long process and I’m glad it’s over, but I’m happy that I did it! I would love to hear what you think of the finished table in the comments below.
Materials List
- For Safety: Rubber Gloves and breathing mask
- Citri-Strip Furniture stripping gel
- Cheap Paint brush
- Old toothbrush
- Plastic wrap
- Mineral Spirits
- Package of Lint Free Cloths
- Cheese cloth (for applying liming wax)
- Bleach
- Hand Sander
- Sandpaper (60 grit and 150 grit)
- Fine Grit Sanding block
- Briwax Liming Wax
It turned out gorgeous!!! And, you’re so fun to watch!! I love learning and laughing! Thanks!!!
It’s pretty with those chairs!
Thank you so much Linda!
Thank you so much Claudette!
I absolutely love it! Chalk paint is usually my “go to” but I can’t wait to try this method. Thank you for teaching this 70 year old beginner so much!!!
Sweet! I hope you try it Phyllis!
Love it! It turned out beautiful! You are truly amazing!
That is so sweet Carolyn! Thank you!
Ohhhh.
That turned out totally gorgeous!
So glad you took it back to being a table, the legs are beautiful.
Well done lady, your hard work paid off. 🙂
Thank you so much Jennie! ❤️
It looks so good, love, love, love how the wood grain shows through. So worth all your hard work…but then again only $3.99 so you couldn’t go wrong!! Thanks for sharing both your crazy sense of humor and your diy talents!!
That price, I just can’t believe it still ????
My dad seals wooden pieces with Tung Oil
I wonder if that would darken it ????
I love it so much! I wanna go apply liming wax to my whole life now! ????????????
???????????? it sure is fun to use
It’s stunning, Natalie, like everything you do. I just wish I had half of your energy because I’ve got a garage full of projects and 2 of them are tables.
It’s fun for me to see the before and after but I hear ya, takes a lot of time
Where did you purchase the lining wax? And is it different from the white wax you used on the wooden drawer small cabinet in the kitchen?
Just tap on the liming wax highlighted words in the post and it will come up. I think it is definitely a thicker consistency of white wash than the white wax
Amazing!!! ????????
Thank you Lois!
So beautiful, I still believe you got that for 3.99, crazy!!!
Me either! ???? thank you Sharon!
Dear Natalie,
Your table turned out BEAUTIFUL, and It match perfectly with your home! I LOVE it!
~Wendy xoxo
Thank you sweet Wendy!
I can’t believe those dark areas in the legs didn’t lighten more significantly. Wood really does have a mind of its own. The wax rocked! Stunning transformation for something that cost less than a Starbucks. Crazy!!!!
That stubborn dark part, I still can’t figure out what that was. ???? thank you Sharon!
Oh my goodness! Your table turned out beautiful. I just stripped a makeup vanity that was my great grandmothers and restained it. I wish I had know of this liming was last week.
Sounds like a fun project! Thank you!!!
It was so much fun seeing this go from a table, to a sign, and back to a table again. I liked your idea for the sign, but I am glad to see those beautiful legs used as they were meant. Your diy talents and knowledge are awesome. Keep up the good work and don’t forget to get your woship on.????????????
???????? thank you Diane! We will definitely be woshiping here ????
That looks amazing!! And those chairs!! Wow! I wish you would take a picture of the part you put the liming on. Maybe it’s not as bad as you think. We could vote?!????????♀️I am just so thrilled to be a part of all of your adventures! ????
Thank you Dina! Hmmm, did you see the picture of the liming in the post? ????
The SEALER!! I meant the sealer! Sorry!
Oh I see, yes, I will show that eventually
Stunning, just started following and you are a hardworking hoot! Enjoying all your posts and stories. Has anyone helped with what to seal it with? Curious if there is a sealant that won’t darken it. Hope you find one because I love the color just the way it is. Well, well done!
Thank you Ronnie! Shelley @crazywonderfulblog did say that she used a clear wax but it did slightly change the color
Wow!!! It looks so different from when you picked it up for a steal of a deal! I love how it turned out!!
Thank you so much Jennifer!
Looks awesome! You’re persistence is inspiring! I just started following you in early December and I’m so glad I found you!
Well I just watched your full story which explained the liming wax so thanks ????
Thank you sweet Cheryl!
So happy you put it back to a table! I’ve never heard of lime wax before. What does it do? Another amazing project. Thanks so much. I look forward to your stories ever night! ❤️
Thank you so much Carol! It pretty much just white washes it like in the photos ❤️
I love it so much!! I’m still wondering how in the world that table was priced at 3.99!! Would never happen in Bama! I’m so glad you tackled it.
I could believe the price! ???? thank you Vicky!
How pretty! I have been admiring your work, and have been looking into the liming process for a while! You make me want to work up the nerve to try it!
This is beautiful Natalie! It was fun watching your progress. Someone mentioned Tung Oil. I have been researching a good safe sealer. My understanding is Tung Oil needs to be pure with no polymers in it to be food safe. Hemp oil seems to be a great alternative also. It’s from a seeds and food safe. You reseal every few years. Both are good possibilities!
I redid a table identical to that almost 30 years ago! It was my ex husbands grandfathers furniture and there was a china hutch that went with it that I redid too. I left the wood natural too because it was just too beautiful to stain. Try tung oil to seal it with. I’ve heard lots of folks using that because it just brings out the natural color of the wood. I bet it would be great on your table. They don’t make furniture like that anymore. It’s such a shame that we’re having to buy furniture that’s pressed board, which is nothing more than a strong cardboard, that you have to put together yourself! These furniture makers have priced the average working man OUT of being able to buy affordable solid wood furniture anymore. I’m an old lady and I just hate seeing this happen to young kids starting out and having to buy crap pieces of furniture to start their lives out with. Thank goodness for you young people rescueing these old beautiful pieces of furniture/history and restoring them to an even more beautiful piece! Thank you for letting me rant, and I truly love the bleach job you gave the table! Just awesome! ????????????
Absolutely beautiful. I loved watching the whole process, and well done on sticking with it. It was so worth it.
Your table is gorgeous! I have a table in the same style that was rescued from someone’s carport. It is damaged because of being out in the weather. The legs are in pretty good shape, but the top and aprons of the top are in very bad shape. I have painted the legs white and am dreading working on the top, but I am determined. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow!! It looks fantastic!
This is gorgeous!! I have plans to redo my poor, worn out kitchen table this spring. I think I’ve just found my inspiration!!!❤️ Thank you for sharing all the info.
Absolutely beautiful! Meant to be at that price right?!! A lot of work but it turned out perfect….. and those chairs-where did you find those amazing chairs?
I’m fairly new to your blog but am really enjoying it, you’re not only very talented but funny too…. !!
I used to refinish furniture back in the 70’s as a young military wife. Oak was the popular wood back then. I would strip off paint or a darkened finish and use Tung Oil as a topcoat sealer. The problem is, it DID change the color of the raw wood. That was okay back then because the color of honey oak was the “in” color. Now however, with wanting to maintain the bleached color of the wood, I’m not sure what medium you can use that won’t change it. It definitely needs to be sealed with something though or the least little drop of water or oil or food will leave a stain in the raw wood. I love the look of it the way it is, too. I hope you can find some good advice on what to use to protect it but not change the color. Good luck and let us know!
Just so gorgeous Natalie! ….and those chairs!! Your talent is awesome and you have a killer sense of humor! Thanks for sharing all these steps! I love your trips to the thrift store! You have definitely given me inspiration to begin trying to do some projects! Your stories are on my list of those I watch each day. Thanks!
You make me want to redo my ENTIRE house!!!!
Have you ever tried a media blaster? It makes short work of stripping. You need to use it with a large air compressor but so worth it. I got mine at harbor freight. You can even use it with fabric still on a piece.
I love it!
it looked great even without the liming!! I want to try bleaching…its too cold out here for this project now, but I foresee this in the spring. I LOVE THOSE CHAIRS. If you read this and can share where you got them, I would be most appreciative
Looks amazing! Wondering source for the chairs as well…
I Noticed the warped top how did you get that to lay down
Thank You for sharing that project, it is beautiful, I never came up with idea to bleach furniture / I am doing it with a small wooden decorations /, that is fantastic
My experience with liming wax is the same, if you want to seal it with oil or clear wax they just cleaning the lime wax effect. But, I discovered the furniture wax Balds /https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balds-original-Furniture-Wax-34184/dp/B0055ZNYEY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548777983&sr=8-1&keywords=Balds+wax/ and it is a harder wax then the other finishing waxes, and on my test spot it does not clean neither the liming or dark wax. I have done only test, not whole piece yet. But I think every wax or oil will bring back the natural wood colour, and the bleaching effect will be gone. I would try with wipe on polyurethane or french polish , because you can put them in a really thin coats, and hopefully they will dry completely on top of the wax