Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/3/2007

Question
Hi Eileen,
I read your advice on another cherry table so you may have already answered some of my questions. I apologize if you end up repeating the same advice. However, this is my first time ever doing anything that involves refinishing. I know nothing at all about this type of stuff and I would really like to do it right the first time. Having said that, I have a solid cherry dining room table. It is a family heirloom but it is in bad shape. It has a little bit of water damage from being left outside for a night and magic marker stains. Other than that it is a great table and I would love to refinish it. We will be using it to eat on for special occasions. The legs are fine. If I strip the table do I have to strip the legs too or just stain them. I need to know step by step what to do and what tools/materials I will need to purchase. Thank you so much for any advice!

Answer
Hi Kristina
Its nice to know that others read our advice too.
This sounds to me like a great first project.
And I do not think for a minute that you cannot do it..I know you can.
OK..first off I would strip the legs as well as the top.
It will make it look more uniform. Now, having said that, you could certainly just give the legs a good clean and wipe a coat of stain over them to freshen them. If you find after finishing the top you do not like the legs, no harm has been done. Just carry on and strip the legs too.
I cannot imagine the top getting bad water damage to the extent that it has hurt the wood. Lets hope not.
Here are my standard stripping instructions and material list (revised for your table)

The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.
The stripper I use is my Home Hardware house brand, but I think that you would not have Home Hardware if you are in the states.
I am hoping you could have CIRCA brand paint and varnish remover there.

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 quart 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)
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
That's all you need to get started…not much is it?
The stripper will be the most expensive item on the list..In Canada it runs around $14.00 a quart. The stain and finish will only be around $20.00
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections.
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.
In some cases depending on the finish, another coat of stripper may be needed.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND Unless after stripping the table is badly marked by the water or has blemishes you just cannot live with.
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag, then because this table will be used for eating, apply 3 coats of Minwax fast drying poly in semi gloss.
And just a caution here Kristina. Get someone to verify for you that the table top is solid wood and not veneer before you attempt to sand.
You can actually sand away this very thin "veneer" if you are not careful. Then your table is ruined.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Never hesitate to ask me.
Good Luck
Eileen