Refinish an Old Table

[charlese]

Don't be afraid of sanding, Dusty. Just keep after it Have you measured how much wood you've removed? I bet it is not yet 1/16". You can expect the company's stain to have penetrated at least that deep.

Also suggest you put the drop leaves up to do more sanding of the top. After all you want the leaves to be the same height as the table when raised.

If the table top is 3/4" thick theses nothing wrong with reducing it to 11/16"

[tdubnik]

In finishing the table, one possibility is to use gel-stain, which really is a gelled varnish with stain/dye in it. It likely would even out the color. You can simply apply a bit more of the gel-stain in the lighter areas (or less in the darker areas). After evening out the color, you can top it off with a couple of coats of gel-varnish.

I agree with pennview. I have used General Finish gel stains on blotchy woods such as cherry and pine with good results. One of the things I do is that after sanding, I seal with a coat of shellac before using the gel stain. This makes it easier to control the color.

[dusty]

Don't be afraid of sanding, Dusty. Just keep after it Have you measured how much wood you've removed? I bet it is not yet 1/16". You can expect the company's stain to have penetrated at least that deep.

Also suggest you put the drop leaves up to do more sanding of the top. After all you want the leaves to be the same height as the table when raised.

If the table top is 3/4" thick theses nothing wrong with reducing it to 11/16"

After reading this, I went directly to the shop to check on what I might have done. I got lucky. The table, for the most part is proud of the leaves.

I don't know if I am going to try to sand it completely smooth or not. I'll know when 'quality control' takes a look at it.

[ATTACH]17721[/ATTACH]
This is very close to being ready for the stain/finish.

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I have a pretty good range of possibilities.

[dusty]

I agree with pennview. I have used General Finish gel stains on blotchy woods such as cherry and pine with good results. One of the things I do is that after sanding, I seal with a coat of shellac before using the gel stain. This makes it easier to control the color.

I may be forced to do this. I already know that 'quality control' wants it darker than the natural color it is now. She wants it to be a closer match to the colors in the RV.

My project manager just walked away after a 'successful' session to select the finish. She has chosen a MinWax PolyUrethane finish. We were unable to select a GelStain. We have settled on Olde Maple with the understanding that is she does not like it, she will sand it back down for the retry.

I don't think I can go wrong (colorwise). Look at the spread of colors in the photo above. That is in the RV where this table will ultimately reside (if not there - in a garage sale).

[tgamel]

I have sanded the surface (not the edges yet) and what I now have is a field of blotches that I know will draw negative comment from "Quality Control".

Examining your pics, it looks like you just about got the situation in hand. Looking good so far, but don't scrimp on the elbow grease cause in my factory "Quality Control" has tight tolerances and specifications.

[pennview]

One nice thing about gel-varnish and gel-stain is that you can mix the two to create custom stains or toners. You can mix two or more stains and you also can mix the stain and varnish to lighten a particular stain.

Tdubnik mentioned sealing the wood with shellac, which is one possibility. I just use a light coat or two of the gel-varnish first. It really works well in evening out the tone of a piece by sealing the wood first and then applying the gel stain. That way, the stain doesn't get trapped in the grain and give the wood an unnatural appearance (unless that's the effect you're after).

In the couple of brands that I've used -- Mastercraft and Rockler -- the varnish is polyurethane.

[garys]

When refinishing old furniture, I break off the bulk of the old buildup using my little palm sander. Then one coat of citrus based paint and varnish remover to get the low spots and the areas that the sander just won't get. After that, if you still have old stained areas, use household bleach to remove them.
Then, a quick sand with find sandpaper takes care of prepping it for new finish.

[wingrider]

When refinishing old furniture, I break off the bulk of the old buildup using my little palm sander. Then one coat of citrus based paint and varnish remover to get the low spots and the areas that the sander just won't get. After that, if you still have old stained areas, use household bleach to remove them.
Then, a quick sand with find sandpaper takes care of prepping it for new finish.

I agree with Garys. I just got done with a gunstock and used paint and varnish remover, sanded it smooth, than put on a coat of Min-Wax clear sealer before the stain and Tru-Oil finish. It turned out great.

[dusty]

I have been forced back to this project. SWMBO is ready to go back into the RV to prepare it for our trip and she wants the table.

As usual for me, it is one step forward and two backward. I was in the process of dismantling it so that I could sand and refinish some of the under carriage parts.

Now I am gluing parts back together. I split one of the pieces. Fortunately, it split almost right down a glue line. I think that it might not be noticeable. I'll not tell. If she doesn't notice, no one will be the wiser.

This is the good thing about being out there in the shop early.

[kd6vpe]

Dusty and all,
I have not been online for quite some time now. Things and life have been all turned upside down for a long time with me. After reading this thread I had forgotten how much fun it is reading your project stories. I know SHMBO will like what you have done since the time is so short to have it in use. Keep up the good work. It will look great.