Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/21/2007

Question
A friend has asked me to refinish the top of a table of what I think may be an eighteenth century Queen Anne table.  It has a pedestal that is supported by three legs.  The table top flips on its side so as to be stored near a wall and take up less space.  I don't want to violate the integrity of the piece, but my friend doesn't want to display it in her home in the condition that it's in.

Answer
Hi Joel
Nice to hear from you.
Personally Joel I think this is a job for a pro.
Without seeing the table so I can tell if the water stain has penetrated the actual wood, its just a guess, but obviously the owner does not want it in her home in the shape it is, so its likely bad.
And certainly another thought comes to mind when you say you do not "want to violate the integrity" of the piece.
Joel you are correct to think this way, but really that has already happened to this table.
So really theres no way to go but up.
So if she insists you fix the table top, it will need stripping and a new finish applied.
I am assuming you have done this type of work before, but get back to me if you find the water has penetrated the finish and turned the wood black and you do not know how to deal with it.
Good Luck and a great question.
Regards
Eileen