Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/12/2009

Question
I have an old tiger oak end table that I brought to a striping service.  I now have it to the bare wood and in six pieces (four legs, lower shelf and top).  What is the best way to put a new finish on it?

Answer
Hi Charles
Nice to hear from you.
First I recommend the table be put back together.
This type of table generally just screws together with no gluing but still its darn near impossible to apply a finish properly while the table is in pieces.
Next is staining. Staining is a must so don't miss this step.
All the advice I can give you about staining is only my experience and I'm happy to do that.
Its my experience that tiger oak needs a stain that is mixed rather than a single color.
A lot of folks choose golden oak color to apply to old oak and I feel it makes the wood look too orange.
I use Minwax stain. A small can of Minwax Special Walnut and a small can of Minwax Golden Oak are what you need.
Mix 3 parts golden oak to one part walnut. Do a tiny test under the table top. I'll bet you like the color. If it seems a bit light, add one more part walnut but the first mixture should do it.
Just use tablespoons to mix your test color.
The stain is applied with a rag and the excess wiped back with another rag.
Let this dry overnight.
Next is the finish.
The finish you apply will depend on the usage the table will get but I tend to shy away from poly on antiques unless its a kitchen table that will be used every day.
The very best finish for us do it your selfers to use is tung oil.
Its fool proof and looks lovely.
Tung oil is applied with a rag. 4 coats is good.
The beauty of a tung oil finish is you never apply wax or polish over it but if it gets worn (as any finish will over time), you simply apply another coat of tung oil. Just like polishing its that easy. I try to apply a coat of tung oil yearly to my furniture that has this finish. It just keeps getting better as the years go by.
I use Circa 1850 brand low luster tung oil. Its in most hardware stores.
I include for you an article on this oil. All you ever need to know about this finish is here.
http://refinishfurniture.com/tung_oil_finish.htm
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen