Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/20/2012

Question
I have a VERY OLD OAK TABEL, stripped,sanded,but cupped bad. I tried steam iron, but did not seem too work, maybe not long enough. Do you have any sugestions? THANKS SONNY

Answer
Hi Sonny
Nice to hear from you.
I use the tried and true old fashioned way to fix cupped boards but unfortunately living in Michigan you will have to wait for the nice weather.
Heres what you do.
Remove the cupped table top.
The skirt must also be removed which is easy.
Pick a grassy sunny area outdoors.
Sprinkle the grass with water. Place the board (cupped side down) over the wet area.
Leave in the sun until the warp is gone.
This will only take part of a day in most cases.
Check every hour  to see the progress. Its amazing.
Cupped side down means this..Pretend the board is a cup, then turn the cup over on the grass.
I have never had this method fail Sonny.
But you need hot sun.
Good Luck
Eileen