Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/31/2008

Question
I am so excited!  My son and I went to a garage sale today and found a two tier, round imperial tea table.  It has the original tag on the bottom (Imperial Furniture Co. - 100% real mahogany....) as well as a stamped number of 1423.  The base and legs are in good condition but the two table tops have faded but are still smooth.
My main question is regarding refinishing the top surfaces.  Since the legs and base are still in good shape, I would like to leave them alone.  How is the best way to refinish the tops and value wise, is it worth redoing them and possibly having an adverse effect on the value or should it just be oiled or waxed up and left as is.
I only paid 2.00 for it so my opinion is if I refinish it and it comes out poorly I haven't really hurt the value of what I paid for it - right?

Also, do you have any ideas or links as to find an approximate value?  I've done searches and have only found three tiers but no two tiers.

Thanks for your assistance and have a GREAT day.

Dan

Answer
Hi Dan
Nice to hear from you.
In my humble opinion, its pretty hard to mess up solid mahogany with a refinish. Its one of the finest woods to refinish..bar none.
Also in my opinion, a piece that is damaged does not de-value by being refinished.
But this piece sounds like the finish is not damaged.
So yes, try retaining the finish.
A good cleaning and waxing may be all thats needed.
If its not broken, don't fix it LOL.
I will not even advise to refinish until you have done that.
Fred Taylor (same page you found me) is our American furniture expert and may help with a value so contact him.
And after you have tried cleaning and waxing, and if it fails, get back to me.
Kind Regards
Eileen