I used Polyshades(satin finish)on several pieces of furniture and they look great. The more coats the darker~I mixed the walnut with a little of the mahogany to get the shade I wanted. ;o)

love the rug! & the table

Lovely shaped table.
I have not used the product you mentioned.
Painting the base and leaving the top natural could look good as well.
Good Luck whatever you do. I cannot wait to see it finished.

Sue, can you post results when you have them please? Our oak buffet looks similar and I've also been thinking about restore a finish or similar products.

Just a small warning about polyshades. We used it on all our old oak woodwork and it's been fine for about 9 years, but is now starting to come away in places. I still think it's a good product, but just wanted to let you know about long term possible difficulties.

I used RAF just last week on my buffet. It did a good job. I need to do another coat. I also ordered the wax to put on top. Make sure you apply with 0000 steal wool!

It only took a few days to come in, and I got the steal wool through amazon. I was too lazy to get out and shop for it.

Get the Feed A Wax with it. All very easy to apply!

Here is a link that might be useful: Mink's Emporium

Nice table!

I've used Howard Restor-A-Finish on many pieces and IMO it's a great product.

Just this weekend tho I used a product called Trade Secret, which is a scratch remover, with 4-0 steel wool and it turned out really well. I didn't have much Restor-A-Finish and wanted to save it for good pieces, not waste it on this old table. I will certainly use this product again. I plan to wax it also.

Here's the link to that product: http://www.tradesecret.ca/index.php?id=135

Whichever product you use make sure you get the correct color. Most of my furniture is walnut but I used the walnut RAF on golden oak once - not a repeat.

I've used Polyshades as well but like to keep things simple if possible and prefer a waxed finish over poly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Restor-A-Finish

I don't know, Sue, but I love the table and the rug. Please, whatever you do, don't paint that pretty table. You're on the right track. I used Formby's Tung Oil on some things and it made them pretty... but they were in fairly good shape to begin with, just a little dry. Hope you get the answers you need, but I just wanted to wolf whistle at your table and rug. Ya gots good taste.

What I would do is take a photo of the table (or several) and run them in to your fave local antique dealer and ask them to advise you (as you're ooing and aahing over their stuff so they think maybe you'll buy from them so they'll be super nice -- besides ya never ;know till you look).

Some things we do want to refinish. Some things we don't, as it harms their value. But I think we need to be pretty savvy to know which is which. Antique dealers know what goodies to use on what.

I've found Howard Restor-A-Finish in many antique stores so I think they must like the product.

I like RAF because it spruces up a worn finish without altering it.
Be sure to use it in a well-ventilated room, and either spread the cloths or pads you use to dry, or soak them with water, before you throw them away. It is very fume-y, but dissipates pretty quickly.
I'm not a big fan of Polyshades on anything of any value.

If there are spots where the finish is completely worn off, the Restore A Finish will not make those dull spots look like the finished area. It can even out the color though. It depends on how perfect you want the table to look, if the finish is worn. If it's all there, but just dull and dry looking, you will probably be very pleased with the results. I have used the golden oak color on oak, and I've used the mahogany color on mahogany, cherry and walnut. I have used it on an oak sideboard from the late 1800's, and a cherry secretary that is older, both with original finish. The cherry was only very dirty, so it cleaned up beautifully. The oak had some worn spots in the finish, so it's not perfect but I am happy with it. I've used it on much older furniture that was refinished about 35 years ago, just to freshen it up. For the old pieces, I used 0000 steel wool, then wiped it off with a clean rag. For the refinished ones, which weren't dirty, I wiped it on with a cotton rag and wiped again with a clean rag. If i use it on newer furniture to blend in scratches, I use a rag. I have only seen it for sale in antique shops.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm just afraid of botching the project, since I've never done anything like this before. I would never paint the table and I do like its age, so I'm not trying to make it perfect. It's just starting to look kind of sad on the top especially. I'll get some RAF and will post pics after!