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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Refinishing CHEAP Kitchen Table

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Expert: - 10/8/2009


Question

Kitchen Table
Hi Eileen, I'm hoping you can help me out.  I have a cheap kitchen table that was purchased as a "temporary piece" and six years later it still lives in my kitchen.  I have five young children and needless to say has taken a beating and will now stay with us until we can be sure the kids can't ruin a nice table.  The table has held up great with the exception of the finish turning very sticky (probably due to wiping down several times/day with Clorox wipes).  It was so bad that anything paper would stick to it (napkins, homework, paper plates, etc.).  I had planned on sanding and restaining, but ended up going the chemical route instead.  I started with straight Mineral Spirits which did wonders in removing the stickiness (I should have stopped there and then top-coated it) but I didn't.  I had ordered some Formby's Furniture Refinisher which stated it was for removing the varnish or shellac and not the stain.  Since it came in and I hadn't top-coated it yet, I figured "what the heck, might as well make sure I've removed ALL the old varnish".  That was a mistake as it took off all of the stain that was underneath (the can says that "in RARE instances, it could remove the stain".  Well, my cheap table was one of the "rare instances").  I thought, well, I planned on completely sanding it down to begin with, so I'm where I thought I would be anyway.  I don't know what kind of wood it is (I'm guessing poplar since it's hard and not a lot of grain).  A few mistakes I've made so far...1) I didn't let the Formby's dry overnight (the can didn't say to, but found out in my post-research that I should've); and 2) I used MINWAX stain (that's what my father-in-law recommended, but read post-research that it probably wasn't the best choice).  

So, I ragged on a coat of Red Mahogany and wiped off.  The next morning, I applied a second coat using a foam brush.  This second coat went on nice and dark (like I wanted), but appeared to be "evaporating" or something (looked like someone splashed it with water).  Those spots would go away after wiping, but would then return, I kept wiping and finally got rid of most of them.  Unfortunately, however, the stain wouldn't dry?!  I hit up Rocklers and asked their opinion and they suggested that I should've used the General Finishes Gel Stain.  I wanted a "darker, almost black, top so I purchased a 1/2 pint of the JAVA to put over the Red Mahogany (in the event that it ever dried).  This morning, the top was still VERY tacky, so I wiped down with Mineral Spirits which removed the tackiness, but also almost all of the stain that had been applied (must not have soaked in much at all).  There's still a hint of color on the top, much more than the bare wood, but nothing like the deep red mahogany that was there before (or after the second coat of stain that didn't dry).  So, here's the question...what should I do now??  I'm interested in a very durable reddish/black mahogany that is very durable.  What should I put over the stain that is left to darken it (without going to paint) and then what strong finish coat should I use?  I'd like a finish that I can use clorox wipes on as that's the quickest/easiest way to wipe up after my five kids eat.  I'm hesitant to apply the GF Gel Stain in case that's not the right approach, because then I'd have to probably strip back to bare wood before doing anything else.

If I CAN use the GF Gel Stain (and I do) and the JAVA is too dark, what can I do to bring in a little red?  

I anxiously await your opinion!!  Kind Regards, Susan

Answer
Hi Susan
Nice to hear from you.
Wow..most folks would have given up by now LOL.
So heres what I can tell you.
First your table originally had colored lacquer applied to this hardwood table thats likely maple. So the refinisher did not remove the stain. It removed the finished that was colored.
You know the Clorex wipes ruined the table top..along with the kids of course.
The correct thing to do now is use a gel stain to get the dark color you want back and hope its the color you want.
Try some of the gel on the underside of the table to get an idea of the color.
If it shows no red, get another can of red mahogany gel stain and mix it with the java.
Perhaps one part red to 3 parts java.
Test under the table again.
Keep testing till you have the correct color.
As far as a finish, the only thing we do it yourselfers can use that is durable is poly.
I would use Minwax fast drying oil based poly in a satin sheen.
Three coats for good protection.
Good luck and get back if you need further help.
Kind Regards
Eileen  

Eileen Cronk

Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

Experience

I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

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