So, I know refinishing has been explored fairly in depth here - I have simple question that I didn't really find the answer parsed out for, so please pardon my daftness here if this is a retread..
First off - I had a nice find recently! I picked up this "vintage 60s table" off of craigslist for $60. The tag had fallen off (the outline is still there - actually, the outline of TWO knoll tags is there, which is odd), but it's a real Knoll table, so I'm psyched about that! It's in the putty color, which is no longer made. As a bonus on the way home, I stopped at the thrift and found these two jacks and some sort of Sascha Brastoff looking candlestick. Alright!
Anyway, back to the table - it needs a little help - there's some discoloration to the base, which soap and water did nothing for, so I think I'm gonna see if I can clean up with a magic eraser (otherwise I'll just leave it alone).
More importantly, the walnut top is dotted with watermark rings. It looks like it's just got an oiled finish. So here's my question, do I need to do any light sanding, or apply any sort of stain to this piece? Or is it a simple matter of applying some Watco Natural Danish Oil? I've plenty of experience with polyurethanes, but "refreshing" these other kind of finishes is new to me.
Also, does anyone here use the Watco rejuvenating oil? I seem to've acquired a lot of furniture with this sort of finish lately, and I just want to make sure that I take proper care of it... 
Well, I managed to find a...
Well, I managed to find a thread on maintaining oiled furniture, so that's helpful. I'm gonna head on down to Home Depot and just give this a shot I guess...fingers crossed for good results!
http://www.designaddict.com/design_addict/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/th...
Before going to town with the...
Before going to town with the oil and steel wool, try mayonnaise. I use a cotton cloth instead of a paper-towel.
I've seen it work wonders.
http://interiordec.about.com/od/cleaning/ht/ht_furnwatermks.htm
Thanks for the replies,...
Thanks for the replies, guys! I ended up just experimenting yesterday, and used the Watco Rejuvenating Oil. It worked pretty well, making the walnut look richer and evening out the colors...to a point that I'm happy with at least. There's still a visible difference if you're looking close, but it looks SO much better.
The advice you gave me IS what I was searching for though, so I might end up doing that eventually. Magic Eraser cleaned up the base like a charm too, btw - perfect 🙂 Anyway, thanks again for the responses!
Very nice
The wood top version with the almond base is my favorite version of this table. I have a pair of side tables with the oval top. I believe that most of these were manufactured around 1974...but maybe I'm wrong. I also always thought that the tops were oak...but .........
Drinks are on me. Mayonnaise-martini's excluded...
I have read this tip from a...
I have read this tip from a site on tips in removing water rings on wood.
1. Dip a piece of fine steel wool into the same type of oil that was used in the original finishing of the wood and carefully rub the stained area (with the grain, of course). 2. If you don't have the original oil, or don't know what was used, you may use a lightweight mineral oil, parafiin oil or lemon oil.
3. After you've worked on the damaged area, wipe the entire surface of the wood you're repairing with the same oil you've been using, then wipe dry.
Hope this helps.
http://www.elegancecode.com/p405/Designer-LCW-Pony-Chair/product_info.html
Thanks for the tips and...
Thanks for the tips and comments Jessie and Mark. I'll keep them in mind once the oil I applied dissipates and the piece needs "refreshed" again.
And that's an interesting observation (about tulip tables and 1974), Mark. I always thought it'd be nice to see a chart of the sales figures per year for certain designs - so you could see which ones took time to catch on, and how tastes ebbed and flowed. For example, I know this series was released in the mid-50s, but it just seems more in tune with the aesthetic of the mid to late 60s design in a lot of ways. They seem to me that they were much more prevalent in that era, and I wonder if they actually sold better 10-15 years after their release. Anyway, just a thought/wish I had!
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