Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Big Goof

I am very new to any refinishing, but decided to tackle a table anyway. I sanded, (also used a gel to sand) and got down to a "no color" table, which is what I thought I needed. When I got to that point, I saw that the table had a particle board top, not a regular wood top.

I went ahead and put the stain on and it looks dull, dark and very ugly.

Can someone please tell me what I need to do next. I am about ready to use the table for firewood.

PatOba,

"Experience" is what you have gained. Apparently you have sanded through a thin wood veneer to find your pressed 'wood'.

I doubt that you want to spend the money and time to re-veneer the table top on an inexpensive 'non-antique'.

Sorry, but I suggest a large draped table cloth, or your last comment.

fred

how are you at crafts? why dont you try doing a mosaic tile thing. you can use old dishes, half mables, found in the craft stores or attach a new wood top.

You have several options. You can paint the table top using an oil based primer to start. You certainly do the mosaic thing using anything from scrap tile from a tile store to broken plates set in grout. You can staple a vinyl table cloth over it.