Restoring a Parker table to look like original

**skidave** · 16th March 2011, 02:54 PM

Hi all,

First post here, so sorry if this is a double up.

I have a Parker table which I have partially restored. The original coating was basically worn off, and it had some marks (ink from a newspaper and some water marks), so I've sanded it back to bare wood (veneer top) and have coated it all in Feast & Watson's Tung Oil twice. It has brought it up fairly well, though some previous water marks where the veneer has raised a little are still obvious from some angles.

Anyway, I also have a Chiswell sideboard which is in great condition with the original coating (I'm unsure what they used). My question now is, what can I put on the table, to make it shiny looking like the sideboard I have? At the moment it is quite dull with just the tung oil on it.

Should I put polyurethane over the top? Wax? Polish?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

**markharrison** · 17th March 2011, 12:51 AM

It's a guess, but a fairly reasonable one, but the finish is probably a sprayed clear lacquer. There is nothing wrong with that. It is quite durable and when it is done right, it looks good.

You can also get a very good finish with brushed shellac. Once there is sufficient coating you can level the finish and bring it up to the level of sheen that you desire.

Get some books about finishing from your library. Bob Flexner is a good author to try.

**skidave** · 17th March 2011, 09:53 AM

Thanks Mark - so you think Shellac would bring the table up to the same yellow/brown colour as the original sideboard?

**markharrison** · 17th March 2011, 07:07 PM

Finishing is not really a specialty of mine. Matching of finishes is a whole other art form and am not competent to comment. Kind of why I redirected you to some books.

The colour of the finish will depend a lot on what type you use and the colour of the wood underneath. The colour of the wood underneath has been altered from its original (I assume) by the use of Tung Oil so now you have to match the final finish colour to match the colour you're trying to get to.

If that doesn't sound easy, you're probably right. Get some books and ask some specific questions on colour matching. There are people here that can help.

**conwood** · 18th March 2011, 06:07 PM

use feast and watson floorseal tung/resin/urethane mix which will go over the oil nicely. I use nothing else these days.
For higher sheen use a cloth and many fine applications.
cheers
conwood

**skidave** · 19th March 2011, 10:19 AM

Hi Conwood,

Sorry for my ignorance, but which products are they specifically? And do you mean mix them all together (as in a bucket or something) and apply?

**skidave** · 19th March 2011, 10:23 AM

As an add on, do you mean apply this product:
Feast Watson - Floor Finishes & Sealers - Floorseal

If so, should I also apply this:
Feast Watson - Interior Clear Finishes & Oils - Satinproof

Sorry - just want to make sure I get it right

**Christos** · 19th March 2011, 06:19 PM

Is there a way of doing test piece. Take one plank of wood and put the finish that you have already done on this test piece. Then apply the other types of finish to see what would be the results on one section so that you are able to compare.

I have done that and get very different results from different finish.

**conwood** · 21st March 2011, 10:08 AM

Hi skidave
F&W tung oil floor finish. The code is 870 94654.

You can come an get some if you like.

cheers'conwood

**skidave** · 21st March 2011, 08:08 PM

Ok great! So this product here: Feast Watson - Floor Finishes & Sealers - Floorseal ?

**conwood** · 22nd March 2011, 09:50 AM

yep that's it

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