Some Quick Tips on How to Refinish a Shuffleboard Table

If you have ever wondered how to refinish a shuffleboard table there are a few things you need to consider.

One of the most important is to make sure you have the necessary information as to what type of finish your particular table has on the playing surface before refurbishing. Shuffleboard tablescan be finished using lacquer, varnish, acrylic, and polyurethane, among other applications.

The main consideration when preparing the surface is to use a conservative approach rather than an aggressive one. Using finer grit sandpaper and oscillating sander and gently going over the entire surface using long consistent strokes will go a long way in keeping your surface level and in good playing condition.

Trying to repair sections is not recommended because unless you have a high level of skill it would be almost impossible to transition the repaired section to the rest of the table without affecting the performance of the playing surface. Ideally you should approach resurfacing as a maintenance item versus a repair. Allowing the table to deteriorate and wear past the finish and into the wood not only makes the repair more difficult but could cause irreparable harm to your investment.

Once you have removed enough of the finish to the point that the playing surface is now smooth and flat you must now determine how to refinish the shuffleboard table if the markings on the table surface need to be restored. This would be the case if your table needed to be sanded to the extent that material beyond the finish need to be removed to get the playing surface flat and the markings were obliterated by the sanding process. This is not an ideal scenario but in some instances it cannot be avoided.

Once you have remarked your table you can begin reapplying the finish. It is recommended that you use the same type of finish as that which was previously used. One reason is that the chemical bond between old and new will be stronger and compatible. Some finishes do not adhere well to each other and could fail through time and use. If you are unsure as to what finish was originally used you may want to contact the original manufacturer to get the specifications. If you are unable to identify the manufacturer you can also check with a local game table dealer or professional refinishing expert for guidance.

Following these tips will go a long way in learning how to refinish a shuffleboard table, but if you are anything less than 100% confident in your abilities, we suggest using a professional you trust.