Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/12/2008

Question
Hi Eileen,
I want to refinish my dining table.  It is about 25 years old and has a few scratches on the top.  A few of the scratches have penetrated the high gloss, thick finish.  It is a very nice all wood table (oak I think) and would like to keep it if I could.

Thank you ,
Pat

Answer
Hi Pat
Nice to hear from you.
Pat this 25 year old table could have a poly or lacquer finish.
Of course I don't know which.
The basic instructions for removing both are the same but instead of the paint stripper used for poly, you may need lacquer thinner which will remove lacquer.
But just try the stripper first.
You will know in short order if it will remove this finish,

Here are the stripping instructions for your table.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING FURNITURE
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.  
I am hoping you can get "CIRCA 1850" brand paint and varnish remover in your area.
Here is a link
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN...

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
3 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with), and a pair of cotton gloves inside the rubber ones.
People react differently to stripper. A lot of people feel heat through the rubber gloves, but I feel cold. Have no idea why.
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION..A MUST
That's all you need to get started.
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections. Perhaps one side of the table top at a time.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Sometimes another coat of stripper is needed but that depends on the finish.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary. And do not sand the table top unless it has damage.
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag (your color choice but mine would be 1 part Minwax Special Walnut to 3 parts Minwax Golden oak).
You only need to get those small cans as it goes a long way.
And keep in mind that you could run into the problem of this table not taking stain well. Its often the case with newer oak that it just does not want to absorb stain.
So I strongly suggest you try some tests on a hidden area to see what the stain will do.
You will need to apply a poly finish as you cannot spray lacquer in the home.
I like Minwax fast drying poly in a low luster for a table top that will be used daily.
They also make a wipe on poly if you are not good with a brush.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Good Luck and keep me posted.
Regards
Eileen