How To Lime A Table

Bronze Brush

Use it to open the pores of bare wood. “Cheaper brass brushes do the job but may leave deeper cuts,” says Rosini. About $36; Kingdom Restorations

Sandpaper

Smooth brushed wood with 220-grit garnet sandpaper. About $9 for 25 sheets; at hardware stores

Furniture Brush

Clean wood dust from pores (and later work wax down into the grain) with this natural bristle brush. It’s an investment item, so “a beginner can use a vacuum brush attach-ment and a Scotch-Brite pad.” About $58; Kingdom Restorations

Nitrile Gloves

These protect hands against oils and solvents longer than latex. About $15 for 100; The Home Depot

Cheesecloth

“The extra-soft variety allows more precise control when applying wax and wiping away excess.” About $6 for a two-pack; Kingdom Restorations

Liming Wax

Rub it into the grain using circular, overlapping strokes. “In a pinch you can even use white paste shoe polish instead of liming wax for small projects.” About $15 for 8 ounces; Woodcraft

Steel Wool

Remove excess wax with ultrafine steel wool, which won’t tint liming wax the way harsher grades can. About $7; Rockler

Mineral Spirits

If a haze remains, apply mineral spirits with a lint-free cloth and buff it away. About $6 for 1 quart; The Home Depot

Wax

Seal limed wood with clear or neutral wax. About $10 for 1 pound; Ace Hardware Superstore

Finishing Oil

Wipe it on to add a natural-looking protective coat on pieces that get a lot of use. Build up several coats for a glossy finish. About $15 for 250 milliliters; Talas