Thread: restoration of oak dining table - help

Man, what do you want? Do you want a table that looks like a factory build yesterday? or do you want what I see in these pictures. Its a treasure, like grandma who just turned 98 and has all the wrinkles to prove that. So no sorry. I would love your table but if I restored it you would not understand the work done. Go to Kmart and buy a piece of modern crap, and please let those of us who apreciate skill, drool over your table. It seems that someone has vandilised it already, such a shame, Why dont you paint it, to complete the vandalisn.

Mate with all due respect that is very rude. I know I haven't posted for a while but no-one has ever been rude to me here before. I acknowledge that the pics don't show the top properly. At the very least it needs the patch done and a new finish. My father used the power plane because his shoulders put him in too much pain when he used hand planes and he was desperate to keep working with wood. I am sure he was gutted by the result. He was very good before his body let him down. I would be very pleased if I reach his level of ability. I can't do wonderful french polish.

What I want is someone who is prepared to help me think about what sort of results I could get. I accept that some of the options I canvassed would possibly cause the loss of the character of the table but I thought I was clear that I wanted to get a quality result. Maybe option 1 should be patch and apply a quality finish.

I look forward to some sensible discussion with someone else.

Steve

Steve,
It is hard to tell from the pics but I would suggest that you lightly sand the edges of the "snipe", clean up the flakey finish and refinish it. You won't remove the snipe without drastic surgery which would involve the processes that you noted. I would be tempted to just reduce their impact by softening the hard edges.
You mention the need for "a patch" and that might still be necessary but, if this table means as much to you as it it appears it does, I think you would be amazed at the result if you just 'soften' the faults, blemishes, wounds and wrinkles and give it a consistent new finish. A new finish will turn the surface faults into secondary impacts.
Let us know how you go...
fletty

It is very hard to say what is the best way to go without seeing the table in the flesh.
From the pics it looks like a beautiful table, well worth the effort.
All I could suggest is to get someone to look at it, then discuss options.

Steve,
While I can't assist with the physical work, perhaps I could give your some encouragement.

I don't understand the emotional baggage attached to the table. My suggestion would be to strip the table of finish. (Yeah, I know that removing the "patina" reduces the value of an antique but you are looking for something FUNCTIONAL and not a bank deposit.)

If you use something like lacquer thinner it will remove most finishes without raising the grain. If the lacquer thinner doesn't do the job, you'll have to use a regular paint remover.

Then a simple sanding of the surface to remove the nubs and then a good boiled linseed oil finish would restore the original luster of the table. AND the table would still be close to antique status. Follow up with a good paste wax.

When you finish the job, you could show your dad what a great gift the table is for you and your family. Both of you will feel great about the table.

Sometimes the work involved is really the gift.

Ok. Sorry I was mistaken. I thought you had taken the top surface off and reduced the table to what the picture shows. To me, that was a disaster. With the top sanded down to bare, I see it as flatten the top till perfect then rout a new edge, I dont see any point in trying to save the old finish. On the top, if you have to patch or cut in a dutchman, you will need to find a good bit of matching wood.
I think if you have few tools this is a skilled restore back to a new look table, it would be worth getting a cabinet maker to have a look

Steve,

Speak to Anton Buchi, he is a furniture restorer in Queanbeyan and is pretty good. He may be able to give you advice and/or a quote.

antonbuchi.com.au - Anton Buchi Business Details

Cheers
Paul

Thanks for all the thoughts. Rrobor, unfortunately the finish on the top is entirely gone and there is that rippling like you get from thicknessers and jointers. I will consult with Anton Buchi because, as a few of you pointed out, seeing the job is really essential. This way I can find out what my direction might be and whether his price is so high that I might find it motivating. The table definitely needs a patch on the top because there is already a cut-out for it. Also there are a few places with burn marks from cigarettes. It really has been knocked around. However, once it has a quality finish this will, as you suggest, smooth out the wrinkles rather than make them disappear. It is an extension table and has a respectable size with the leaf in. My mother has a similar table and it has served a long time.

Thanks again.

Steve