Surface of kitchen table seems sticky even when clean

Nadlou
by Nadlou
So my sister-in-law found a nice used table and chairs but the table is sticky. If you lay a book on it, it sticks. It won't slide and if you put your arm on it, it pulls at your skin. What causes that and what do you recommend they do? I thought they should sand it and clear coated it. My brother thinks he should remove the coating completely and clear coat it. Either way, how do you get it to be a slick but not sticky surface?
  5 answers
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Sep 16, 2014
    Pledge does that I've discovered. The finish has degraded.
  • I would go buy some Formby's furniture refinisher which should take off the finish and leave you with the wood. then go from there on what you need to do. hope this helps
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Sep 17, 2014
    Howard's furniture products was recommended to me by an antique appraiser. http://www.howardproducts.com/prod-restor-a-finish.php
  • Emma Taylor Emma Taylor on Sep 17, 2014
    Buy some Goop hand cleaner in the auto section at WalMart; under $2. Get some 0000 steel wool. Dip the steel wool into the Goop and scrub, then wipe off with clean rags. Do this until all stickiness is gone. Non-toxic and won't harm the finish.
  • Nadlou Nadlou on Sep 17, 2014
    Thank you for your suggestions. I'll let you know what happens. The thing is though, the surface of the table LOOKS fine but the stickiness makes it feel dirty even when its clean. The idea of Pledge degrading the surface sounds interesting but I'm curious as to how that would happen.
    • See 1 previous
    • Nadlou Nadlou on Sep 18, 2014
      @Adrianne C I certainly believe that can happen. Thanks for the heads up. For my own furniture, I have mostly old antiques and I use applications of Briwax or just a good quality furniture oil. I don't trust products like Pledge any more either. Thanks for your help!