Tips. 1  All-in-one stain and sealer lets you change the table’s color without sanding off the finish. 2  Sand lightly to dull the old finish and brush on the stain/sealer combination. 3  Brush-on polyurethane an option for a thicker, more durable finish coat.his allows the furniture maker to build a strong piece and cover the surface with any desired wood species. An oak chest may have mahogany veneer. In simpler pieces, durable pine gets dressed up with an oak facade. With a light hand to avoid sanding too deep, a refinished veneer table looks as good as new.