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Blogger Chicago, IL on Aug 07, 2012

Suggestions on how to refinish a damaged drop leaf coffee table

A blog reader asked for suggestions on how she could refinish this drop leaf coffee table. The top is damaged and she stripped it but can't get it to look any better than this. She's also open to a potential paint treatment ... but would like to keep some integrity of the wood. Also, keep in mind that her home's decor skews a bit more traditional. Any suggestions (and links) would be greatly appreciated!

7 Comments

Carmen G Galveston, TX

I can't help because I would probably spray paint it. Traditional would be black.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Did she use a stripper or a furniture refinisher? It doesn't look stripped to me.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Linda @ it all started wi... Chicago, IL

@Becky, I'm not sure ... I'll check.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

It doesn't look fully stripped to me either...I think I'd take a sander to it to get off the rest of the old varnish...

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Angela: Unexpected Elegan... Fishers, IN

I would suggest taking a sander to it too. Get a heavier grit to get the remaining finish off and then a finer one to finish it.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 1
Becky Blair, NE

Thanks Linda. That would make a difference in how one goes about finishing it. Too bad she didn't ask before she started. She probably could have used a product called Restore A Finish. A little or more rubbing and it would have looked like new. Not sure it would work now because of the other chemicals used already. I'd suggest that the owner email Howard Products at the following link and tell them what they've already used on the table and ask if RAF will still work. It's an awesome ...»
product.
http://www.howardproducts.com/contact.php

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 1
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

There are basically two schools of thought when it come to refinishing work. The least aggressive "strip" and recoat is done to preserve any unique "character" elements on the wood. Old dings and gouges are preserved and the piece will still look like an antique...but have a fresh preserved top coat. With this route the piece will not look "new" but refreshed.
For this type of work I like to use a citrus based stripper and some medium grade steel wool, ...»
I also use a hand full of plastic "putty knives" to remove some of the stripper / finish goo without adding any new dings or scratches to the wood. This process take some time for the stripper to work and may require a few applications.
The second method is the sand and recoat...here a lot of the character will be lost and you may also loose some of the edge details and crispness of the moldings etc. Depending on how deep some of the character marks are you may still have a few shine trough with this method.
For me I try to go the strip route first. I the last few months I have done a few of each of these. Mahogany table that also needed some restoration work...the other was a antique teak "sailors chest" that got a face lift.
http://www.hometalk.com/kevin/board/133443

on Aug 08, 2012 · Like 0