Furniture refinishing is defined as the process of giving an object a new surface appearance by repairing or reapplying its finish. While the term is often synonymous with staining wood, furniture painting is a specific type of refinishing that uses opaque pigments to achieve a new aesthetic or cover imperfections. 

Core Definitions:

Refinishing: The act of removing an old, damaged, or unappealing finish (often through chemical stripping and sanding) and applying a fresh protective layer such as stain, paint, lacquer, or varnish.

Refinishing Painting: A refinishing method where paint is chosen as the final coat. This can range from high-effort professional sprayers to beginner-friendly techniques like using chalk paint, which often requires less preparation and can be sealed in various ways. 

The Refinishing Process:

Unlike simple painting, which may just add a layer on top, professional refinishing typically involves more intensive steps to ensure durability: 

Stripping: Using chemical agents to remove existing organic coatings like old paint or varnish.

Sanding: Smoothing the bare wood surface with various sandpaper grits to remove blemishes and prepare for a new bond.

Repairing: Fixing minor surface imperfections, dents, or scratches before applying the new finish.

Applying the Finish: Coating the prepared surface with paint, stain, or glazes to achieve the desired look.

Sealing: Adding a final protective topcoat (like polyurethane or wax) to enhance longevity. 

Key Distinctions:

Refinishing vs. Painting: Painting is often a “quick fix” for aesthetics, whereas refinishing addresses underlying surface damage and provides a more complete, professional result.

Refinishing vs. Restoration: Restoration aims to return a piece to its original condition using period-appropriate materials and non-invasive cleaning. Refinishing is more “invasive” and allows for a complete change in style, such as painting a previously stained oak table.