Aboutmaura macaluso Expertise I can answer all questions regarding woodcarving, chip carving, scroll sawing, carving tools and techniques and can answer most questions regarding wood. I am not an appraiser of carvings nor an antique dealer.
Experience I am a custom commission woodcarver. I have been carving for many years now, have won numerous awards, and am very well connected in the world of woodcarving. I am the owner/operator of www.carvinginnyc.com
Organizations national association of woodcarvers, woodcarvers of queens, Richmond county carvers club, carving life panel of experts
Publications Chip chats, carving magazine
Education/Credentials Have taken many, many classes and instruction from many fine carvers, I was originally self taught which is the best way to learn. Many thousands of carving hours later and I find that I am now well-respected.
Awards and Honors best of show staten island & queens
numerous 1st place and other title awards at many venues
Past/Present Clients My work is now in international collections
Expert: maura macaluso Date: 4/30/2008 Subject: restoring a teak table top
Question Hi,
I recently purchased a solid teak table which is extremely heavy. It is in good condition apart from the top. I've sanded it back to reveal big patches of wood filler. Not sure what to do next as applying varnish on the top just looks bad. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Answer Hi Rebecca, Due to the presence of a wood filler, you most likely cannot stain the top. Other than replacing the teak top, there are few options. What you are going to have to do is to create a sort of faux finish.
Depending on the variety of teak, the color varies from a light golden to a dark reddish with almost black streaks running through it. First look at your table top and wet a good sized spot with water. Check the colors out and if the wet teak has 1 or 2 main colors to it, Go and buy some artists oil paints(cheapest brand is fine) as close to those colors as possible. At the hardware store buy a decent animal hair paint brush(2-3 inches or so). First step is to give the top a very light coat of varnish or poly to seal the wood. When that has dried take the artists oil paint and use a dry brush technique. Put a bit of the paint on a laminated paper plate and barely touch the bristles to the paint. Then apply it lightly to the table,pulling the brush in the same direction as the grain. You aim is not to cover the table top completely but to add random streaks to it giving attention to the filler areas. If you need to do 2 different colors(if the original teak has 2 distinct colors)wait until the first color is completely dry then do the second color in the same manner, only a bit less. The trick is to keep the bristles mostly dry and very little paint on the end of the brush. You should be able to hide the filler using this method but do the whole table top, don't just try to camouflage the filler spots. After this has dried, You can then apply a few coats clear varnish or polyurethane, sanding between coats. You can get a real nice look to your table top depending on how well you match the colors.
The other way I have seen similar problems handled was to paint the top portion a very dark brown, almost black and then a nice clear top coat on that. Good luck with your table and thanks for the question.
