Where do I start restoring an old farm table?

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/before-after-farmhouse-table-36569830?expand_all_questions=1

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/the-easiest-way-to-refinish-a-table-perfect-for-beginners-44281622?expand_all_questions=1#!

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/stamped-farmhouse-table-44344941

A few more ideas

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/craigslist-dining-table-makeover-tutorial-5154684

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/dining-table-makeover-42275428

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/dinning-room-table-makeover-wood-5558430

I would start on the legs first this way there done and you could turn the table over

I would remove the finish with Citristrip, a non-toxic stripper, keep a window open. From there do a light sanding and wipe clean. Apply a stain of choice wipe away excess until you have the color you like, Minwax makes some good ones. Allow to dry. Then coat with polyurethane, allow to dry between coatings.

Begin by removing the old finish. Citristrip is a great choice. If you are going to paint the legs, scuff them with some sandpaper then prime and paint. The top will need sanding. Repair any damage (cracks) with wood glue and clamps. Stain the top and then seal with polyurethane. I use at least 3 coats on a table that will get a lot of use.

Buy a couple of Dollar store shower curtain liners. Use them as drop cloths. Sanding will make a mess in the apartment, unless you can take the top off and take it outside then do the legs the same way. I don't like strippers, they are so messy where sanding is just dusty. I have tried Citristrip several times and am not impressed with it. People claim it works better if you cover it with plastic wrap but I still don't see where it works as well as people claim. Stain or chalk paint it. Either is easy.

Hello here’s a link that could be helpful. Best wishes on your restoration project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43B2KMp3ln4

First thing you need to do is strip the finish. Lowes and HD had many different kinds of strippers. Once stripped, you need to sand with 80 grit sandpaper, then 120 grit up to 220 grit to get an even smooth top. You stated that the legs were in good shape, so just clean them up a bit with a light sanding. This way when you stain the table it will match. If you are planning on painting the table the primer will adhere to both pieces. If you can put some nails under the feet or put the table up on cinder blocks for easier painting. Make sure you prime and lightly sand between coats. Use a good stain blocking primer, and a couple of coats. Then paint. If you have a sprayer it will look professional no brush marks.

strip all the paint and stain off and then stain it again, it will look brand new...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OOtb2CvFkBc here's a great tutorial you can check.

I would start with citristrip. Make sure to remove as soon as it starts getting a bit gummy, it is awful if it dries. "paint" it on with a brush and scrape with a plastic scraper. Get an old bucket to wipe off the scraper into and throw the whole thing into hazardous disposal like you would paint.

Once you get it down to the wood, sand with fine grit sandpaper going in the direction of the wood grain.

Wipe down to clean with denatured alcohol.

Now you can stain or paint.

Go to heirloom traditions all in one paint. They have an awesome product called a deglosser. It is the greatest! It doesn't smell and you just brush on and wipe off. I use it all the time to repaint things in my basement in the winter with windows closed!

Hello,

Strip the timber back to bare wood and start again.

sanding ... to a raw wood and then stain or simply varnish