How to Refinish a Wood Table Without Sanding: Easy Beginner’s Guide

Ever wish you could refinish a wood table without all the mess of sanding?

In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll show you how to restore a vintage wood table—like my favorite long vintage wallpaper table—using one of my go-to products: Howard Restore-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax.

It’s quick, easy, and gives any dull wood piece a gorgeous glow-up in under an hour!

Thrifted Vintage Wallpaper Table with Wooden Charm

I found this long vintage wallpaper table while out Thrifting with the Gals, and it was too good to pass up. The wood had character—some dings and dents, sure—but nothing a little restoring couldn’t fix. It didn’t need a full makeover, just a touch-up to bring out its original charm.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I used Howard’s Restore-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax to breathe new life into it, no sanding required!

And if you’re as smitten with vintage wallpaper tables as I am, don’t miss these other favorites I’ve styled and refinished over the years:

Restoring a Vintage Wood Wallpaper Table Find

Wooden Table Before: Weathered and Worn from a Vermont Winter

After a year of sitting out on our covered porch through Vermont’s harsh winter weather, this old wooden wallpaper table was looking pretty rough. I had originally styled it as a display table, but the wood surface had dried out, water rings had set in, and remnants of old wallpaper paste clung to the top.

Honestly, I dreaded refinishing it—can you relate to that feeling? Here’s what it looked like before… and yes, it really needed some love.

How to Refinish a Tabletop in Under One Hour (No Sanding Needed!)

If you’re anything like me, patience is not always a virtue when it comes to DIY projects. I don’t want to spend hours sanding or prepping a table just to make it look halfway decent. I want quick, easy, and satisfying results—and that’s exactly what this method delivers. (P.S. I’m no expert, just sharing what works for me!)

Check out the quick video below to watch the step-by-step transformation in real time.

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Restore-A-Finish: The Best One-Step Refinisher for Wood Tables

My go-to for fast, affordable wood furniture restoration? It’s always Howard Restore-A-Finish paired with Feed-N-Wax. This combo brings dull, dried-out wood back to life without sanding, stripping, or staining.

It’s a one-step process that enhances the original finish, blends in scratches, and leaves the wood looking rich and nourished. Plus, it comes in a range of wood tones—so you can match it to almost anything in your home.

How To Refinish a Wood Table

Refinishing a wood table doesn’t have to be complicated, messy, or time-consuming. With just a few supplies and my favorite go-to products from Howard, you can transform a tired table in under an hour—no sanding required. Here’s exactly how I refinished my vintage wooden wallpaper table using this easy, beginner-friendly process.

Step 1: Choose Your Restore-A-Finish Color

First things first—pick your Restore-A-Finish color. Howard offers a variety of wood-toned finishes like oak, walnut, cherry, mahogany, and more. I went with Mahogany, a rich brownish-red tone that matched our front porch floors beautifully. Just choose the shade that best complements your table’s wood grain and desired final look.

Step 2: Gather Your Furniture Refinishing Supplies

You don’t need a lot, but having the right tools on hand makes all the difference. I laid everything out ahead of time—steel wool, Restore-A-Finish, Feed-N-Wax, clean rags, and protective sheets for the floor. You can find links to everything I used in the “Shop This Post” section below.

Before You Start Checklist:

    •    Howard Restore-A-Finish (color of choice)
    •    Howard Feed-N-Wax
    •    Fine steel wool
    •    Clean cloths or rags
    •    Protective sheet/drop cloth
    •    Well-ventilated space

Step 3: Prep Your Workspace

Refinishing wood furniture can get a little messy, so make sure your workspace is well-ventilated and protected. I used some old bed sheets I’ve collected over the years to cover the garage floor, but a drop cloth, cardboard, or even thick paper towels work well too.

Step 4: Clean the Surface of Your Table

Before applying any product, give the table a quick clean. Use a dry cloth to wipe off any dust, dirt, or debris. The cleaner your surface, the better the Restore-A-Finish will absorb and do its job.

Step 5: Use Fine Steel Wool to Smooth Imperfections

Next, grab some fine steel wool and lightly rub it across the surface, following the direction of the wood grain. On my table, this step helped remove lingering wallpaper paste and smoothed out minor marks without the need for full sanding.

Step 6: Apply Restore-A-Finish to the Wood Surface

Pour a small amount of Restore-A-Finish onto a clean cloth (never directly onto the table) and apply it with the grain of the wood. This table was so dry, it soaked up the solution like a sponge! I generously applied several coats—one right after the other—as it dried quickly and I wanted a deep, rich color.

Step 7: Let the Table Dry for 30 Minutes

Give the surface about 30 minutes to rest and absorb the product. At this point, you’ll already see a big difference! While a few deeper markings remained (which a sanding would have removed), I was thrilled with the finish for such minimal effort.

Step 8: Condition with Howard Feed-N-Wax

This step is my secret to sealing in all that moisture and richness. Using a clean rag, apply Howard’s Feed-N-Wax liberally across the entire surface. I used almost half a bottle on this one piece—it was that thirsty! The wood came back to life with a hydrated, glowing finish that looked absolutely stunning.

Step 9: Let It Dry for 24 Hours Before Use

Once you’ve applied the Feed-N-Wax, allow your refinished wood furniture to dry for a full 24 hours before using it. Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog, was my patient little helper—watching from her cozy blue wicker chair as the table dried in the garage.

Before and After: Refinished Wood Table Reveal

The Final Result: A Rich, Revived Vintage Table

Here she is! Can you believe the transformation? The rich, mahogany color completely changed the look and feel of this old wooden wallpaper table. A little Restore-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax went a long way—and the result is a deep, warm glow that brings out all the natural charm of the wood.

Before and After Photos of Our Refinished Wood Table

Take a look at this side-by-side comparison. While a few stains and markings in the center didn’t vanish completely, I actually think they add to the beauty and story of this vintage piece. That’s the magic of refinishing old wood furniture—you get to keep the character, while giving it a whole new life.

Ready for Spring Styling

Now that this table is refreshed and ready, I can’t wait to decorate it with a spring tablescape. I’m picturing soft mixed greens, white vintage dishes, and my favorite green champagne flutes.

It’s always such a joy to see a once-weathered piece step into a new season with style and purpose!

Conclusion: Refinish Your Wood Table Without Sanding

Refinishing wood furniture doesn’t have to be a big, intimidating project. With the right products and a little know-how, you can bring new life to old wood in less than an hour.

Whether it’s a vintage table, a thrifted chair, or an heirloom hutch, this no-sanding method is beginner-friendly and oh-so-satisfying.

Have a wooden piece you’ve been putting off refinishing? I hope this post gave you the confidence to give it a try! Let me know in the comments what you’re planning to refinish next—or tag me on Instagram so I can see your transformation!

You may also be inspired by these similar DIY projects:

Pin forLater!

Shop This Post

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.