Refinishing furniture, woodwork and floors is much easier than most people imagine -you just have to go about it one step at a time.

According to Eric Chaimberg of Swing Paints, the country's leading manufacturer of wood finishing products, professional finishing results can be achieved if you follow several important steps.

Based on years of experience and know how, Chaimberg says the most important thing to remember is "a good start always means a good finish." And the best way to ensure a good finish is to take your time and prepare the surface properly. Be sure you have all the materials you will need before you start.

Here is a host of items Chaimberg says you will need prior to beginning any project:

* Bristle or foam brushes

* Rags or cheese cloth

* Steel wool or synthetic pads

* Gloves

* Drop cloth

Surface preparation

Set yourself up in a clean, well-lit area. For previously finished pieces, Chaimberg recommends you use a cleaner, such as, Circa 1850 Furniture Cleaner to remove all dirt, grime, wax and polish from the wood. For tougher stains, you may want to try Circa 1850 Super DeGooper. Any repairs that need to be done such as filling nail holes or dents should be completed after stripping but before standing and staining.

Sanding

The next step is to lightly sand the wood to provide a smooth uniform surface. "Sand enough to obtain the desired finish smoothness yet not enough to gouge the wood or sand through the veneer," Chaimberg says. Stripping closes the grain of the wood to the penetration of stain and finish. Sanding reopens the grain, evens out any discoloration that may have been left by a previous stain, and erases any scratches or blemishes in the surface.

Finishing

To add a protective finish to your surface, Chaimberg recommends using Circa 1850 Bowling Alley Polyurethane. "Apply this clear finish to those tired old floors or that newly stripped flea market find and you'll appreciate how fast it dries," he added. "It dries so fast you can re-coat in as little as two hours. Imagine being able to apply 3 coats in just one day."

Because of its non-yellowing clear formula, all you'll see is the beauty of the wood shining through. And your wood surface will be protected with the same hard, durable finish used on bowling alleys. Chaimberg says Circa 1850 Bowling Alley Polyurethane is recommended for use on all interior wood surfaces; including floors, cabinets, doors, furniture, and paneling. For more information or tips on finishing, visit www.circa1850.com.

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