Desk Project how to and costs

Materials:
Top Part of Desk
Stain Stripper (7.97 at Home Depot)
Sand paper (3.97 at Home Depot - I used 120 grit)
Foam Brush  (1.34 at Home Depot)
Stripper Tool (2.99 at Home Depot)
Stain (7.56 at Home Depot - I used MinWax in Jacobean)
Cheese cloth (Had this at home so not purchase needed)

Lower Part of Desk
Paint Brush (I had one lying around so no purchase needed)
Paint ($13.98 at Home Depot - I used Martha Stewart Gull matched to a primer and paint in one in satin finish and needed just one quart)
Sand Paper (3.97 at Home Depot - I used 120 grit)
Hardware (28.72 at Lowes - I needed 8 pieces)

First- decide where you are going to tackle this project.  You want it to be a well ventilated room (A garage is perfect, however, it was cold when I did this so I did it right in my basement with all the windows opened.  I also chose to wear a face mask just in case).  Set down a huge drop cloth so as not to get anything on your floors.  Place desk in center of drop cloth and clean!  Wipe it down thoroughly with a damp cloth and wait for it to dry completely.  Once it's dry, it's time to strip off the varnish on the top of the desk.  Using the foam brush, apply the stripper onto the wood in thin, even strokes, always going WITH the grain.  Do not pool the stripper - make sure you have a substantial coat, but even. 

Wait for about 30 minutes (you will see the top of the desk start to bubble) then use the paint stripper and slowly scrape off all the product.  You will want to where gloves during this process-it is very messy.  Once you've done the stripping, you should see the original color of the wood.  Again, clean the wood and let dry completely.  Once dry, go over with sand paper to make sure everything is even and all origianl varnish is gone.  Again, wipe down to remove all debris, especially the dust that was just created by the sanding.  Let dry.

Now for the fun part.  applying the stain.  Stir the stain slightly (never shake).  Using a natural bristled brush (again - i had one so no need for a new purchase) start applying the stain the same way you applied the stripper.  Make sure you GO WITH the grain of the wood.  Let sit for 15 or so minutes and wipe away with a cheese cloth.  If you are sastified with the intensity of the color, you can stop here.  If you want more, Just repeat - apply the stain, wait, wipe.  Never let the stain dry completely on your wood.

After the top is dry (I'm impatient so I started this next step before the top was dry, and just made sure I didn't touch the top) you can start painting the bottom.  If you did not get a primer/paint in one, you will have to prime before you can paint.  I only needed one quart of paint and needed to paint the desk twice.  To make it a bit easier, I removed all the drawers and their original hardware before I got started.  Now.... Start painting.  Once done, paint again.  Let paint dry completely.  Don't forget to paint the drawers! 

Once everything is dried completely, you can start distressing the desk.  I left the top stained portion of the desk alone during this process.  Take 120 grit sand paper and (by hand) start sanding all the edges, grooves, and nooks all over the desk.  I especially focused on the ridges on the drawers.  Do this until you have your desired look.  Wipe clean again....and you're done!!!!


My total receipt from Home Depot was $46.75
My total receipt from Lowes was           $28.72

TOTAL COST FOR MY BRAND NEW DESK = $75.47