From Old to Gold: How to Restore Wooden Furniture with a Sandblasting Gun
From Old to Gold: How to Restore Wooden Furniture with a Sandblasting Gun
Introduction: The Struggle with Furniture Restoration
Do you have an old wooden table, chair, or cabinet that has been with you for years but now looks worn-out, faded, or covered with peeling paint? Traditional sanding methods can be time-consuming, physically exhausting, and often leave the surface uneven.
What if there was a faster, more efficient way to bring your furniture back to life? This is where a sandblasting gun—specifically, the LEMATEC AS118 Sandblasting Gun—comes in. By using controlled air pressure and the right abrasive media, you can strip away years of damage and restore wood to its natural beauty, ready for a fresh finish.
In this article, we’ll share a real case study of restoring a wooden coffee table, provide a step-by-step DIY tutorial, and explore why sandblasting is becoming one of the most reliable methods for furniture refinishing.
Case Study: Restoring a Wooden Coffee Table
Our example begins with a small but meaningful project: a vintage wooden coffee table. Over time, its surface became dull, with peeling varnish and stubborn stains that regular sanding couldn’t fix. Instead of discarding it, the owner decided to use the LEMATEC AS118 Sandblaster to remove the old finish.
Process highlights:
Setup: Connected the AS118 Sandblaster to a standard air compressor set at 90 PSI for stable operation.
Media Selection: Chose fine glass beads, a softer abrasive that effectively strips varnish without damaging wood grain. For delicate furniture, soda blasting is also an excellent choice.
Application: Sprayed the surface evenly at a moderate distance (about 6–8 inches) to avoid overcutting.
Result: Within minutes, the table’s surface was clean, smooth, and revealed the original wood texture.
The final step was applying a new coat of wood oil, giving the table a fresh, modern appearance while preserving its character.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Sandblast Wooden Furniture
If you’re ready to try this method, here’s a simple DIY tutorial you can follow:
1. Prepare Your Tools and Materials
LEMATEC Sandblasting Gun (AS118 recommended)
Air compressor (90 PSI optimal, up to 150 PSI max), CFM: 7 or more will be great.
Abrasive media: fine glass beads, soda, or walnut shells
Safety gear: protective goggles, dust mask, gloves
2. Set Up a Safe Work Area
Sandblasting creates dust and debris, so choose a well-ventilated space or outdoor area. Lay down a tarp to collect used media for easy cleanup.
3. Clean the Furniture Surface
Use an air blow gun to remove loose dust and dirt before blasting. This prevents clogging and ensures even results.
4. Sandblasting the Surface
Maintain a steady, even motion across the wood.
Keep the nozzle at a slight angle, not directly perpendicular, for a smoother finish.
Adjust pressure depending on wood type: softer woods may require lower PSI.
5. Post-Blasting Treatment
Once the surface is stripped, brush off remaining dust and inspect the wood grain. You can now apply:
Wood stain or varnish for a refreshed look
Natural oils for a rustic, matte finish
Paint for a completely new style
Why Sandblasting Is Ideal for Furniture Restoration
1. Saves Time and Effort
Compared to hours of hand sanding, sandblasting reduces the process to minutes, especially for large or detailed furniture pieces.
2. Preserves Wood Grain
With the right abrasive media, sandblasting reveals the natural beauty of wood without damaging its texture.
3. Versatility
Whether you’re working on a coffee table, dining chairs, or even wooden doors, the process is the same—fast, efficient, and professional.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Unlike chemical strippers, abrasive media like soda or walnut shells are safer for the environment and easier to clean up.
Extended Applications Beyond Furniture
While this case study focuses on a wooden coffee table, sandblasting with LEMATEC tools can also be used for:
Wooden doors – stripping old paint for home renovations
Cabinets – restoring kitchen furniture to match new interiors
Wood crafts – preparing surfaces for carving, painting, or staining
Outdoor projects – cleaning wooden fences, decks, or benches
Conclusion: Turn Old into New with LEMATEC Sandblasters
Furniture restoration doesn’t have to be tedious or frustrating. With the right tool—like the LEMATEC AS118 Sandblasting Gun—you can transform old, tired furniture into beautiful, functional pieces with minimal effort.
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, a woodworker, or a professional furniture restorer, sandblasting offers the precision, efficiency, and reliability you need to achieve professional results.
👉 Ready to start your next project? Explore the LEMATEC AS118 Sandblasting Gun and discover how easy it is to bring your wooden furniture back to life.
About the Author:
Vic Chen is the General Manager at Lematec and has over 10 years of experience in digital marketing and the pneumatic industry.
