Synopsis: A worn or damaged finish, whether it’s on a flea-market find or a piece you made years ago, doesn’t always need a complete stripping and refinishing. Take it from a pro — you can revive a finish rather easily once you know what you are dealing with. Jeff Jewitt shows how to identify the finish on your project and whether it is a candidate for stripping or an easy rejuvenation. Then he takes you through the steps for different finishes, whether that involves a thorough cleaning, wet-sanding and replenishing an oil finish, or sanding and reviving lacquer or shellac.

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Stripping a piece of furniture must be the nastiest finishing task. Not only are the fumes unpleasant, but it’s messy and requires cumbersome safety equipment. Yet for many, stripping is the first thing that comes to mind when they see a piece of furniture whose finish is worn or…