Oak table discolorations

Question

I recently purchased this oak coffee table with the  intent to flip it, but this has got me stumped.   I originally assumed these were white heat or water marks that would come out when I stripped the top, but even with the stain removed from teh top and sanded twice they are still there.   I hate to start staining until I know if the stain will cover the discolored areas.  Any ideas of what caused this or how to work with it?

Hope Williams · Answer

Looks like candle wax.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I am not sure what they are, However try putting olive oil or mayo on them and rub into the wood and polish off once dried.

Jill · Answer

My guess is that it looks almost like it could be wood filler or putty of some type. Maybe the table top had some serious grain issues and they filled it to smooth out the surface. Will it stain to look like the oak? Don't know, because some wood filler take stain easily and others don't. The only thing I say is if you really want to stain, try it. If it doesn't pick up the stain like the oak does they you would have to either apply more stain in the areas that need it carefully, or re-sand it and try something else. The table top doesn't look that thick, so there is only so much sanding you can do. Also, can you tell if it's a veneer or not? If it is, sorry, but I would just end up painting the whole thing.

DeeDee · Answer

Have you sanded all the way to the bare wood? The pictures look like it still has stain on the wood.

Gloria tulip · Answer

I have oak tables and to me the grain on this table does not look like natural grain. Perhaps it is a simulated wood.

Sonia · Answer

The table looks like a veneer.  Was the table sanded with a orbital sander?  I would suggest sanding the darker areas to try and even out the color.  If that doesn't work you can always use chalk paint!

Patti Paints · Answer

It appears you need to sand a bit more. If you can’t get to an even color, then try staining it a light tone. Using painters tape, create a design i.e., map, flowers, shapes, etc. Make sure your tape is pressed down really well using your fingernails or a credit card. Then apply a dark stain on top. When thoroughly dry peel the tape off and you’ll have a unique look on your table. The uneven light color might actually enhance your design. Here’s an example of what I’m trying to describe from Pinterest. Good luck and repost your table once you’re finished with it. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8796161743160322/

Ahmeans · Answer

Its planks of wood, the wood grain follows down the side of the table and the lighter spots do have grain. I've taken this close up for better picture. I've used citristrip and then hand sanded the table, so there shouldn't be any stain left.

Donna Cartmill · Answer

I call that character and wear of table. Looks like oil from food and people touching it it. Was the old finish varnish oil, like Danish oil?

Darla · Answer

Would it be possible for you to detach the top and flip it over? The bottom side might be in better shape.

Ahmeans · Answer

The answer appears to be to sand it more (lots more) to get the tone evened out. The first coat of stain is looking good, still some variations, but not nearly so dramatic and can now be called 'character' versus what the heck happened to this table.

Marilyn Mead · Answer

My husband has been sanding the tops of three pieces of bedroom furniture and he has really had to do alot of sanding to get to the point that the top layer is even in color. He is going to stain the tops of the furniture, then put a polyacrylic varnish on top. I am going to chalk paint the rest od each piece. We have completed one small dresser and it does take time when you clean, sand, stain, varnish then paint and wax but it came out beautifully. Much of the time is waiting for finishes to dry in between coats..... worth all of the time and the breaks did us good too.

Connie S · Answer

I would use the stripper again. I Have had to go over pieces several times to get all of the old varnish off. It looks to be the dark areas still have varnish and the lighter areas don't.

Oak table discolorations

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Oak table discolorations

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