Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/29/2007

Question
We have a solid wood pedestal table used daily in our kitchen.  Table was commercially made with lacquer finish.  After 7 years of use, the top is worn through the finish...at the kid's spots. What is your recommendations for refinishing the top.  I am an amateur and have refinished 6 pieces, a dining room and living room set with fair results.  Previously, I completely stripped the previous finishes and applied new finish.  New finish was usually a urethane.  Is there a way to just refresh this table top?  Or will I need to strip it, restain and refinish.  If refinishing is the answer, your advise on proper steps and products to improve my results would be much appreciated.  

Answer
Hi John
Nice to hear from you.
Seems you have some experience in this area so this should be a cinch for you.
As long as the underlying color of the table has not changed in the worn spots, you can simply give the top a very light sanding and apply a coat or two of urethane.
Yes you can apply this over lacquer.
If underlying stain has worn of course you will have to strip and restain.
If you need to strip the lacquer off the top, stripper may or may not work. Its funny stuff. I find older lacquer readily comes off with stripper. I have had cases where stripper will not touch the lacquer and then I use lacquer thinner for the job. Its vile stuff to use so I hope you do not have to go this route.
John everyone who does this work has their own preferences for products so I can only give you mine LOL...others may differ with me, but I am a creature of habit and if it works well I stick with it.
I use Home Hardware paint and varnish remover or Circa brand. I only use Minwax stains. I only use Minwax oil based low luster fast drying poly on table tops, and Circa brand low luster tung oil on other furniture.
So thats it John. Now you know as much as I do LOL
Good Luck and get back to me if problems arise.
Regards
Eileen