Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Crack in table top

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/11/2009


Question

photo.jpg
I purchased an antique oak side table and need to refinish the top.  It is evident that there is water damage (it looks like it was from a potted plant) where the wood swelled and shrunk back, leaving a slight crack between two of the boards.  Is there something that I can fill it with before refinishing?

Answer
Hi Pam
Nice to hear from you.
Sure this can be filled with wood filler but you do that after the stripping.
Looks like the wood will need bleaching to remove the black water mark.
So heres how it goes.
1..strip the table with paint stripper
2..bleach the top to remove the black water mark.
3..fill the crack with wood filler. (Elmers colored wood filler is good).
4..Lightly sand the entire table top. I usually avoid sanding antique furniture but the bleaching process will likely raise the wood grain.
Avoid coarse sandpaper.
5..stain the entire table.
6..Apply your final finish.
This will be a very nice looking table when finished
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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.