How to Refinish Wooden Oars

1). Set up materials and equipment to work outdoors.
2). Remove the protective coating of varnish or wood sealant from the oars, using 120-grit sandpaper. Sand along with the grain of the wood until the oar appears dull.
3). Remove sawdust particles that could interfere with stain and varnish absorption with a sticky tack cloth.
4). Cover portions of the wooden oar you do not want stained with professional painter's tape.
5). Lay down plastic dropcloths. Place fabric dropcloths on top of the plastic ones. Lay the oars on the dropcloths.
6). Coat the wooden oar with oil-based stain, using a paintbrush manufactured for use with oil-based coatings. Wait 2 hours for the stained oars to dry. Add additional coats for darker results. Skip this step if you do not want the oars stained.
7). Wash the brush with mineral spirits.
8). Wait 12 hours. Apply varnish or wood sealant to the oars, using the clean paintbrush. Wait 24 hours before using the oars.