Refinish 2nd-Hand Wood into Meaningful Gifts!

If you ever 2nd-hand shop you’ve probably seen tons of wooden appetizer plates and salad bowls in abundance. And usually for very little money. Typically, these are souvenirs from tropical locales and have been pretty well used. Sometimes they are even gummy or a bit fuzzy! But even in very rough shape, you can refinish 2nd-hand wood into fabulous pieces for décor or serving on your table. Or what I love most – meaningful gifts!

A little work can really bring out the beauty of the wood. And these inexpensive items that nobody wanted become treasures with a lot of life left. And when you transform something that was discarded, you’re not only saving it from ending up in a landfill, but you’re also eliminating a need to buy more stuff! Natural wood is such a trend right now, and there is so much of it already out there – with the hard part of making it already done!

This serving platter is such a great size and has that rustic quality about it I love. Picture it with appetizers, a cheese spread, or even holding succulents as a centerpiece! You can see how beautiful the wood grain is. But with the finish that was used on it and the wear showing, it’s far from looking it’s best. So, let’s get to work and refinish this 2nd-hand wood!

Clean It

First, clean the bowl thoroughly with soap and water.  Usually, they are very worn and dirty, but this particular platter was pretty clean already.  If you need to really scrub it to get the dirt and grime off, use a soft brush. Salt and lemon can help remove any stains or discoloration from the wood. Be careful not to soak the piece or leave it wet and allow it to dry thoroughly before the next step (overnight is good).

Sand It

I use my favorite Black & Decker Electric Hand Sander for as much as I can, which really makes the process go much faster.  It takes a lot of patience, but it goes quickly if you can stay focused.  Use a medium grade sandpaper to get the spots you can’t with an electric sander.  Then follow that up with a fine sandpaper to make a smooth surface without any sanding marks. Just keep at it until you have a smooth, unfinished wood surface all around, inside and out. And make sure you have hand lotion – you’ll need it when you’re done!

Stain It

Once the entire piece has been sanded you can stain it if you choose, or just finish it.  I love to bring out the beautiful natural qualities of the wood and usually won’t use any kind of stain. But if the wood is naturally very light and you prefer a darker shade, then stain away! Pure raw linseed oil, walnut oil, and tung oil are all good food-safe options that will deepen the color of the wood.

If you’re not using the piece for food, you can use any color stain you like. All you need to apply the stain is a soft rag (a great way to repurpose an old T-shirt!). If you apply more than one coat, make sure you let the stain dry at least 24 hours, more if you add a second coat. If you’d rather just enhance the wood with a natural protective finish, I absolutely recommend Daddy Van’s All-Natural Hemp Oil Wood Finish. Just wipe it on with a soft cloth (aka that old T-shirt). It instantly brings out the beautiful wood grain, and gives it a food-safe, solvent-free protective finish.

Finish It

No matter what I use on my project after sanding it, I like to finish it to further protect it and make it food safe. I use a mixture of coconut oil and beeswax that I make myself, simply by melting beeswax pellets and solid coconut oil together, then letting it cool and harden.  Apply multiple coats for a lustrous sheen, rubbing each coat thoroughly into the wood. Then use a clean cloth to buff the bowl until it shines. This takes a bit of patience and labor, but it’s well worth it to get a really strong natural food safe finish without chemicals.  I’m also working on a couple of other techniques using different natural materials, so be sure to look for future posts.

Personalize It

Now that you’ve transformed the piece into a new treasure, you should add a permanent personal touch to the underside. Engraving or wood-burning tools allow you to add your initials, a meaningful date or occasion, or even a short message. This special touch is what will make this piece something to remember – the transformation from neglected to beautiful is inspiring!

In the end you’ll have a BEAUTIFUL wooden piece that you’ll be proud to keep or gift to a loved one!  You’re not just offering a physical gift – you’re sharing a story of revival, creativity, and thoughtfulness. These pieces hold history and are now transformed into treasures that’ll be cherished for years to come. Yours will be the gift that is remembered, used, and appreciated over the years. AND you upcycled an unwanted item that seemed destined for the landfill. So, embrace your DIY spirit, let your creativity flow, refinish 2nd-hand wood and gift a piece of your heart this holiday season!