Vintage Coffee Table Updo!

Chairished Furnishings
by Chairished Furnishings
4 Materials
I'm a sucker for anything Duncan Phyfe because of its elegant style and compact size. This little table can be used as a coffee table or side table, which makes it super versatile
Painted in black satin enamel with gold acrylic accent. The top was sanded and restored with stain and Polycrylic
Fortunately, this table was in good condition; just worn finish with a few water rings. I sanded the top and used 2 Tbsp of oxalic acid (wood bleach) with 2 cups hot water to apply on the rings. I let the bleach sit about 15 minutes before neutralizing with a solution of vinegar/water (2 Tbsp to 2 cups water), then rinsed thoroughly and let the wood dry completely.
Before staining the top, I used a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust or debris from the surface then wiped on Minwax Prestain to condition the wood before applying the final stain.
One of my favorite stain colors to use on mahogany is English Chestnut. I wad up a piece of old t-shirt and dip it into the stain, then rub it into the wood, making sure the color is distributed evenly. I wait about 10 - 15 minutes and take a clean piece of old t-shirt and wipe off any excess stain then let dry overnight.
I like to use Satin Polycrylic to finish the tops of tables and dressers because of its durability. It takes a bit of practice (and patience) to get a nice finish because it can streak and get gummy if you over-brush. I always us a quality nylon brush and apply in thin, even coats, lightly sanding with 400 grit sandpaper between each dried coat. Apply a minimum of three coats
After painting the base with Behr 'Black' satin, I painted the edges of the table top and drop leaves with gold acrylic paint. I also added accents on the pedestal base. The toe caps were all removed and cleaned, using Barkeeper's Friend.
Suggested materials:
  • Behr Black Paint   (Home Depot)
  • DecoArt Gold Acrylic Paint   (JoAnn)
  • English Chestnut Stain   (Home Depot)
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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Val757689 Val757689 on Jan 22, 2022

    Hello love this table. I have. Ralph Lauren black enamel coffee table. There are few stains on the top. I would like to keep it black. Can you recommend a black stain enamel. Thank you.

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