Stained table top
How do I restore badly stained butcherblock table?
by
Sylvia
+29
My trailer came with a lovely kitchen table, apparently a DIY project by the previous owner, based on what I saw when I took it apart to get it out of the kitchen (it is way too big for the space, and I wanted a storage island instead).
Unfortunately the top has multiple stains that need to be removed before it can be refinished to either sell or donate, and I am a newbie at this sort of thing, with no tools like sanders etc. What would be the easiest, most cost effective way to get rid of the stains so I can varnish it (or otherwise refinish it) so it is useful again?
Or should I just offer it up as a cheapie or freebie to a more experienced DIYer?
Don't worry if you have the tools, you can rent a sander at any tool supply and watch a bunch of you tube videos.
If it were me, I would give it a good wash, then use Citristrip (needs to be done outdoors so if you are in the polar vortex, wait till it passes or spring), to see what that does. Then determine if it still needs a sanding (which I would do anyway), and see how it turns out. Then you can leave natural and seal or restain and seal.
And since you already have this piece, it is a great place to get started. You have nothing to lose and if it doesn't work out you can still give away to another DIY person.
What a nice project, I have always like Butcher Block and this is no exception.
Not sure if Citristrip will take up the darkest of the stains, that's where the sanding will come in.
If the stain is still too deep into the tabletop and you still would like to see the grains of the wood, you could stain with a color close to the stain you have tried to lift. Some Hometalkers like to paint and might offer that as a solution.
I would try Citristrip, although it may not work on all of the stains if they have penetrated into the wood. It probably needs sanding, which can be done by hand, but it will be a work-out!
A really good Sanding should do the trick. Then finish with tung oil.
Use a belt sander. The stains could be deep and you will get better results using it to not create a large "divot" over just sanding the stained areas. The belt sander will keep the wood level.
You will need to sand it but you can do so by hand. I would recommend that on a table top any way. If the stain is deep, you may not be able to sand it out. In that case, go with a darker stain to disguise it. Then seal with polyurethane. I do 3 coats on tables. Between each coat, lightly scuff with fine steel wool and wipe with denatured alcohol. This allows the coats to adhere and removes all dust particles.
Here's some information
https://www.hunker.com/13418769/how-to-refinish-a-butcherblock-table
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/21017444/restoring-a-butcher-block-countertop
https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Butcher-block-table-simple-to-refinish-2904538.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njaEQ6vftpU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WScbYtPa_e4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf_kFLaJgi4
I would use a finishing sander (one that does not spin around) to get down to the unstained wood. It would be a shame to throw out that table. Painting it would cheapen the appearance too.
You will need to sand it down to remove those stains, here is a sanding tutorial for beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O5NV6OJZn8
Then to refinish it follow the steps in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAbP6BU0RNw
sand it down
Hi! You can strip it with a product like Citristrip and hand sand it for the simplest method. Plan on some rags, a scraper/putty knife, a dropcloth, some latex gloves and a sand block or sponge sander. Follow the directions on the stripper for how long to leave it on. The stripper creates a sludgy residue that you will need to wipe and scrape off. If the wood has a lot of stains like yours, I sometimes scrub it with scrub pads, a soft bristle brush and another coat of the stripper before letting it dry and sanding it. Sand with the grain, and hopefully that will remove most of your stains. You may need to go darker if the stains are too soaked into the wood. Good luck!
P.S. the few things you need are easy to find, inexpensive, and the scraper can be cleaned up for future use. The Citristrip is available at Walmart, Amazon and most hardware stores. It keeps for a long time if you keep it closed, and you will no doubt have other projects to use it on!
A good sanding and re finish should do the trick
Thanks to all who responded! I am going to be brave and attempt this on my own. If it all works out I will post the results
Sand down and refinish. It is really pretty..
It looks like it is only the clear finish but you could sand it down and add a clear coat back it will be good as new .If there is some stains left and you can’t get them out use bleach right on them soak with a paper towel if needed and let it sit on it and dry
For future reference, Hometalk has a great step-by-step tutorial on how to clean a butcher's block: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/kitchen/how-to-clean-butcher-block-44677174