Expert: maura macaluso - 12/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: I recently ordered an expensive mahogany table and when it arrived it was bright orange/red with major swirls and stripes of darker color.  It was very different from the model I saw when I ordered the table and doesn't go with my room.  It is a beautiful table however and I wonder if the color will mellow with age--will it get more brown? or will it just get a deeper red?  Also, it's a particularly beautiful and unique table and I wonder if the rich red color and the pronounced but uniform stripes make this a more valuable table or is that considered low quality mahogany?  Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter. (i will try to attach a picture--i hope you can see it.)

ANSWER: Hi Monica,

    Wow, what a striking table top that is.  If you went looking for something like that, you'd probably have a tough time finding it. There are lots of different varieties of Mahogany.  While the tree is of the same family, the color and grain of mahogany can vary widely depending on where its from. I can't swear to it but it looks like some highly figured African mahogany but could even be a south American variety.  Honduras and Cuban Mahogany have the straightest, reddish brown even tone and are the cream of the crop when it comes to mahogany, they also are extremely expensive.  Example, I once carved a two door front entrance which had trim all around it, all Honduran Mahogany and know that the carpenter spent over $9000.  I have also seen a study in a home being paneled with built in book cases in Cuban which ran well over $100,000 just on the raw wood.  But to consider your mahogany an inferior mahogany would do it an injustice.  Some people would love to have the bright streaked mahogany that you have, particularly guitar makers and some furniture makers.  

It really would come down to personal preference.  Some prefer the more even tones, some the more figured.  I guess you are one of those who prefer the more uniform reddish brown.  I myself prefer the more uniform but can also admire the beauty of your table and know that some craftsmen purposely seek out that type of dramatic characteristic.  As to whether they were cutting corners using that mahogany, is probably debatable as wood is a commodity which changes price constantly.  It is not the premium mahogany like the Cuban or odorous but was probably not the cheapest either.
As for the aging of your wood.  Mahogany is one of those woods which will easily darken over time with exposure to air and sunlight.  The finish used affects how long it will take to darken and I am assuming a good quality furniture manufacturer would use good finishing techniques which will slow the mellowing.  The bright colors in your table will also add a considerable amount of time before it all really darkens.  When we are talking time, though, I'm not talking months but rather years and with the bright colors, possible many decades.  My honest opinion is that you would probably be happier trying to exchange your table for a more even toned table, especially since it was not what you expected and does not blend in with your other furnishings.  Any reputable company should not have a problem with the exchange.  Do not ask for the exchange insinuating that it is an inferior product but rather that you simply would prefer a more even tone.  I would also do this in good time as I'm sure there are a limited number of the same type tables being manufactured. I hope this helps you decide what to do. thanks for the question and good luck with your table.

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QUESTION: I just wanted to make sure you saw my commentary/rating. I am extremely grateful for your timely, thoughtful, thorough and knowledgeable response to my question. I got the table from a reputable company and have already told them of my concern and they acknowledged the difference between the table and the floor model and said they would make it right.  Thank you for telling me what I need to know to follow the best course of action.

ANSWER: Hi Monica,

I am only glad to help.  Luckily you asked your question of someone who's favorite carving wood is Mahogany and who has carved many different types. I am also one of those people who also thinks thats it not good enough to just know how to do something but I am also a very avid reader about woods and woodcarving, that extends into furniture.  In the last few years I have been doing a good amount of antique restoration work and have had the opportunity to work with different pieces made from Mahogany, some as much as 250 yrs old, so I have had first hand knowledge of how the mahogany actually darkens with age. I could have really bored you and gone into it much more deeply but told you what I thought you would need to know to make your decision.  I am glad that you didn't have any problem with the company and hopefully your exchange will go smoothly.

Thank you for the wonderful rating and feedback.  It is nice to know that all my personal knowledge gathering and experience really pays off sometimes and is appreciated by someone needing my help. Hope you've had a great Turkey day and Thanks again.

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QUESTION: hello again, maura,
I just realized you might be able to answer another question that I'm desperate to figure out.  I have a black painted wood table in my kitchen and, though it's fairly new, it's beginning to show signs of wear and scratching as my little kids use it for messy meals three times a day.  i want to seal or protect it in some way but don't know how.  I contacted the manufacturer and they suggested liberon black bison fine paste wax but i noticed you aren't supposed to clean that with water and i would not be able to deal with that. so i contacted liberon and they suggested a wipe-on lacquer but didn't give specifics.  i looked up minwax wipe-on poly (is that lacquer?) and the instructions require several coats and some fine sanding which i'm not confident i can do without screwing it up.  i will attach an image and would love to know what you recommend.  thanks in advance, monica

Answer
Hi Monica, sorry for the delay, I got very busy.  I took a look at your pic.  I wouldn't want to use wax either, perhaps on fine furniture that doesn't get much handling but definitely not where kids are involved.  Lacquer is probably the best protectant.  they use that on Bar tops but it is really messy to put on so we'll talk about polyurethane. Polyurethane will cover the table with an almost clear plastic layer.  You don't want to do the prepwork, right.  Here's the skinny, you can just wipe your table clean, let it dry, apply 2 or three layers of minwax poly, letting it dry between coats of coarse. Make sure that you do the top,continue down the sides sides and a little bit of the underneath edge. that will protect it from most damages except for any deep gouging that the children might cause(there's no cure for that except to take the money for a new table from their allowance-LOL).  It is easily wipable with a damp cloth or sponge and will stand up well for a few years.  I suggest using the poly in a can which will need to be applied with a brush rather than the spray on type because the layers will be thicker.  Now here's the catch.  If you just apply the poly without any sanding and repainting first, whatever scratches you have now will remain. But your table will be protected from getting any worse.  If you are looking to bring back the table to look like new, you will have to sand and repaint it.  Your call there.  I would either use a satin or a semi-gloss, not a gloss finish. My best guess is to use Satin.  Its kind of hard to tell from the picture. Satin has a slight shine to it while semi gloss will have a medium shine to it.  Good Luck with your children and thanks for the question.