How do I rescue dry damaged table?

[BusyMommy]

I just dragged an antique coffee table out of our shed. It's dry and has been at around 0' for a couple months. Before that, it was pretty much ignored as well.

I am totally clueless about home repairs, etc.

If I just want to make it usable, what do I wipe/clean/preserve it with? I mean, Pledge is the only thing springing to mind here.

If I want to make it look nice, how do I refinish it? Sand it and then stain? Again, I am really clueless. It'd be awesome if someone could just point me in the right direction.

THANKS!!!

[Velvet005]

Well, I had help with my Dad refinishing a beautiful dresser that looked lke it was about ready to be used for firewood.
First: Get some stuff remove the current stain or paint on the table
2nd: Sand
3rd: sand with a finer paper
4th: stain
5th: seal with some kind of sealant we use polyurethan semi gloss

Good Luck!!

[BusyMommy]

Alright, that makes sense. But, what kind of stuff to remove the original color? I'm thinking paint remover but I'm sure there's something less caustic?

Also, what's linseed oil? Would that be the final step?

Thanks!

[Al Dente]

I don't know the 'correct' way to do this, but I've refurbed a lot of furniture so I'll give you my .02.

For something that dry, I would rub in Old English or a similar wood oil and let it sit at least overnight. Then rub the excess off, sand with fine grain sandpaper and oil it again overnight. Next day, rub off the excess and sand with medium-coarse grade sandpaper. You can get most of the paint off with sandpaper. There are all kinds of paint removers, I don't know of any that are environmentally okay but maybe someone else can help you there.

If it were me, I'd just sand it until the surface was smooth, and repaint. If you want to get down to the wood though, you'll probably have to use a paint remover. But don't forget to give the table lots of moisturizer before you start.

[milk_maker]

You say it's an antique...if the finish (once moisturized) isn't too bad don't refinish it! Antique valuse drop significantly when they've been refinished.

This works to get water marks out of wood...maybe it will help you? Take salt and veg oil, rub it into the marred finish. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away. Viola! It should help to blend in the chips/defects in the finish.

[Hera]

Don't use pledge! It actually causes a yucky build-up. Furniture oil is better, I use Milsek but not very often because it stinks and is probably full of horrible nasty things. It did a world of good for some antique furniture I recently inherited.

(The funny thing about it is that I bought it at Wild Oats. I think they were carrying it because it says that it is made of a blend of organic oils. Organic, in this case, meaning carbon-based.)

As far as the antique thing goes, my opinion (if you want it) is that there are pieces that are antique and have considerable value, and there are pieces that are old and not worth a whole lot. If something is very valuable, you don't want to touch it. However, if it's just old and interesting but not really worth much, refinishing might bring out the beauty and provide you with a lovely piece of furniture. If you're not sure what you have, get it appraised first.

Thanks for the water mark tip. I think I'll try it on a few things of mine...

[BusyMommy]

THANK YOU guys sooo much!!

[peekyboo]

I bought an old dresser once and one side of it was very dry - looked like it had been stored in a garage and that side was exposed to everything. It was also a little grungy, and my mom told me to get the hand cleaner called Goop (I got a big tub of it at Home Depot, but it's also sold in automotive stores as it's great for cleaning hands after working on cars.) She had used it on several wood pieces and it doesn't harm the finish at all.

So I took it and rubbed it in with my fingers, wiping off with a soft cloth, kept doing that until the Goop came out clean enough. And the side that was all dry was nearly perfect again! The dresser looked fabulous. I then got some wax and buffed it up with that.

And the great thing about Goop was that you can get a pound of it or so for like $3.

[momto l&a]

Beeswax is what I think you are supposed to use on antiques as it removable and doesnt ruin the value.

Some show we use to watch was about restoring fine aniques in England and that what they recomended.

I have spray beeswax that for finished peices and i love it. My friend has finished a table in the beeswax that for unfinished wood and it came out beautiful.

[SoHappy]

This site has great info (look in the tips area) and products.