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Refinishing help pl...
 

Refinishing help please  

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danielmpoole
(@danielmpoole)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 555
25/05/2011 4:42 pm  

Hi all,

I'm new to refinishing, and I realise this isn't a woodwork forum but I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light as to how I should attempt to refinish this surface? It's for a Danish dressing table made from what looks like oak. As you can see there are scratches, ring marks and water stains. Help, I don't know where to start!

Dan


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rockland
(@rockland)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 984
25/05/2011 6:00 pm  

.
Just my opinion, but is extremely important to show the entire
table to give good restore advice. Yes, it is oak. Are you sure it
is Danish?
A table surface is often very dry and stained over time from being
used for drinks and cleaned often. The key hint to a restore is the
underneath and other surfaces. They often need to be treated a
bit different.
Dozens of very good step-by-step restore advice if you google
'restoring old oak'.


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danielmpoole
(@danielmpoole)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 555
25/05/2011 6:18 pm  

Thanks Rockland..
...that's great. It's definitely Danish, there's a stamp on the back.
I have done some research, but when I do look in to refinishing there's usually sections on scratches, stains and discolouring but nothing for all these combined. I'm just fearful of messing it up.
Dan


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tktoo
(@tktoo)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2276
26/05/2011 5:04 am  

Not so sure it's oak.
Looks more like walnut to me. Perhaps with a worn out oil finish. I don't see anything that would indicate a failed varnish.
The scratches and water stains are not such a big deal, but the ring may be problematic. If the ring is an oil stain, it's possible that a light sanding and reapplication of an oil finish will even the color out. If the ring is caused by a reaction like that between natural tannins and iron, it would need to be bleached, but that can be tricky.
I'd give the whole piece a good rubbing with an old linen dish towel and mineral spirits or naptha first, being careful not to snag any rough spots, loose veneer, or burn down your house. A test spot with some denatured alcohol on a Q-tip will tell you if anything else is likely to come off. It's entirely possible that the table simply needs a good cleaning, a light sanding, and a fresh application or two or three of oil followed by paste wax.


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barrympls
(@barrympls)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2649
26/05/2011 5:41 am  

I agree
Unless it's really messed up, the best thing to do is to give the wood a good drink and polish and live with its original condition, whenever possible.


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danielmpoole
(@danielmpoole)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 555
26/05/2011 2:22 pm  

I....
...bit the bullet and gave it a light sanding. It was the one thing I didn't want to do, but it's come out really well and after applying beeswax, it looks great. I think I was over-worrying!


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Arthur Sixpence
(@themodernplanaol-com)
Famed Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 365
26/05/2011 2:33 pm  

Never on time!
Bit late but for the next time try fine wire wool instead of sanding. Use beeswax and rub the same way you would with sandpaper. Gives iy a great finish without the damage that sanding can do.


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danielmpoole
(@danielmpoole)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 555
26/05/2011 4:49 pm  

Thanks Arthur
I did that on some of the surface but I couldn't get the stain out without sanding. I think I was lucky with wood type though as it sanded easily.


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bj
 bj
(@bj)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1404
26/05/2011 5:45 pm  

looks like teak to me..
looks like teak to me..


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rockland
(@rockland)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 984
26/05/2011 7:16 pm  

.
Looking again i think you are correct. Teak or walnut. When a surface is
so dry, thirsty, even slightly weathered by being exposed to the elements,
it is hard to identify. The grain pattern is similar to my teak chair backs.
I was focused on the object, being handed one tiny
clue to what it is.


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tktoo
(@tktoo)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 2276
26/05/2011 8:12 pm  

The great thing about "Danish oil" finishes
is that they are so easily repaired. The not-so-great thing about them is that they so frequently need it.


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adamfowler
(@adamsfowlergmail-com)
Noble Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 248
26/05/2011 8:15 pm  

photo
can you show the whole piece, from what you're showing us it doesn't look like much and my be a waste of your time to refinish.


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danielmpoole
(@danielmpoole)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 555
26/05/2011 10:42 pm  

nearly done...
...i'll post a pic once I've finshed the transformation


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