How can I effectively remove dark spots on a wooden kids’ chair before recoating with polycrylic?
Asked by Milivoje Isaković 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 16, 2024
Do you have any tips on refinishing this wooden chair for kids? I already sanded it but the dark spots won’t go away. How can I remove those darker areas? And do I need to sand the whole thing before applying a new coat of polycrylic?
I can still see where you sanded down the old finish. Start with a 60 grit sandpaper and gradually move up from there. Try 60 grit, then 80 grit, followed by 100 grit, and maybe 120 grit if you want it super smooth. You’ll need to remove a bit of material to get rid of the dark spots, and you might not be able to completely eliminate them.
If you’ve really stripped down the wood to its raw form, you can polish it with hydrogen peroxide. The more you polish, the lighter it will become… up to a certain point of course
Try using oxalic acid to remove the stains. I haven’t tested this method myself, but it’s a common recommendation in the furniture refinishing community
Before starting the sanding process, I suggest using a stripper to strip off the old finish. The back of the piece appears to be veneer, so this way you can avoid sanding through it.
The back of the chair is made of veneered plywood. Have you sanded through the veneer to reveal the core? If you’re planning on something other than painting, you’ll need to apply a new wood veneer to the back
The same applies to the arm that connects the seat back to the seat.
For a more playful touch, consider painting in a vibrant ‘kids color’. Multi-color options are available.