Dining Table Renovation

[Tmu33]

Hi,

I recently bought this dining table from a car boot for £2 and though I would try and make it usable and nice to look at again.

But thought that I would like to lighten the colour considerably.

Does anyone have any idea on how I would go about this?

I was thinking I would just need to sand it down using a fine sanding paper (Though I am a little unsure on an easy way to do this around the central support)
Then paint it with a light coloured paint/varnish.

Would this be possible or would the already darkened colour be hard to remove?

Untitled

• Tmu33
• 21 Jun 2014
• 1

Untitled

• Tmu33
• 21 Jun 2014
• 1

 

[AronSearle]

£2!

Cant tell from the pics but the table looks like scratches reveal lighter colour underneath, it does look stained, in which case sanding, lots of it, or have it stripped. Wire wool or a wire brush may be easier to DIY strip little nooks, bit of work but possible.

Is the table top all solid, pic is poor quality, looks like solid edging around panels, are those panels veneered timber or solid? veneers need careful sanding.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

(I) thought that I would like to lighten the colour considerably.

Does anyone have any idea on how I would go about this?

I was thinking I would just need to sand it down using a fine sanding paper (Though I am a little unsure on an easy way to do this around the central support)

Looks like it was originally a dark oak stained piece, but there may well be several species of timber in the piece - for example beech in the base and frame. To remove the finish I'd use a cabinet scraper on the flat bits (like the top) and finish with P120 grit alox paper. On the bits you can't scrape I'd start with P60 grit open coat (decorators paper) aluminium oxide abrasives then work up through the grits to P120 (i.e. P80, P100). You may also require a small brass brush to get into the crevices (not steel - it can react with oak in the presence of maoiture to leave nasty, semi-permanent black stains). If that doesn't work then you are left with going the Nitromors (stripper) route to remove the old finish (I'd avoid dipping as it always weakens the joints - caustic attacks the glue) Whatever you do avoid the temptation to over scrape or over sand flat surfaces - they may be veneered which makes sanding through a distinct possibility

Then paint it with a light coloured paint/varnish.

Would this be possible or would the already darkened colour be hard to remove?

With previously finished pieces you are likely to find that any stains applied on top are going to take patchily, so having scraped and sanded to what looks like a consistent colour I'd then give it an all-over coat of white French polish (the stuff made from bleached, dewaxed shellac) to act as a sealant/barrier coat before applying any sort of stain or finish. One thing you may find is that the timbers beneath the dark stain are darker than you'd like in which case there is little you can do about it very easily - you can bleach timber, but it requires specialist materials and it is hardly a pleasant process.

 

[Tmu33]

Ok Cheers you two.

Guess I will try with what you said JobAndKnock, Just be a bit careful as I go I guess. And maybe refrain from the idea of making a lighter colour. TBH a dark stain would work with what I have also.

If all goes tits up, its not too much trouble, it was a cheap table after all. The materials used will probably cost alot more.