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Home Decorating

Willette Dining set help, refinish?

Christie Santercangelo

12 years ago

Hello, I have an issue with a piece of furniture from my grandmother's house and figured I would ask the experts on how to try and resolve it. It's the Willette Lancaster County Maple set. My grandmother gave me her dining room table and 4 chairs. The problem is with the tabletop. Whatever she cleaned it with or how it was stored seems to have damaged the finish. I researched this manufacturer and seems they discourage refinishing it but not sure what else to do. It has spots all over it, they look like water spots that are not coming off. I haven't tried much other than murphys oil soap, which helped only a little bit. It's very dull looking. Any suggestions? Thanks so much, I'm not sure how to proceed.

Featured Answer

dianalo

12 years ago

I ruined the top of my dining table and plan on painting it glossy black. I will also paint the inset parts on the backs of the chairs to make it look more "on purpose".
HTH

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Comments (6)

roarah
12 years ago
I have a 1930's veneer top table and every few years I do a very light wet sand with steel wool and use a french polish like product on top. It goes on clear and I let it dry for 10 minutes and the buff till the surface is smooth and shiny again. I have seen a similar product called antique oil sold by homer formby too. It makes the table top look like new again and it is not too much work. Also maybe gel stain might work?
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I am always a supporter of "restoration" instead or "refinishing" If you strip a finish and apply a new finish etc it looks like a new table and ruins the wood's natural patina. This is what they mean by discouraging refinishing. My suggestion would to research furniture restoration techniques to determine what your problem may be. It is probably a wax finish. There are many articles on repairing water damage on wax finishes. You could also search for "furniture restoration or repair" in your area to consult a professional.
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Update: After doing more research on spar varnish and finding the post I will refer to below, I went to my local paint store and had a long talk with the owner about my project. I decided to go with minwax semigloss clear polyurethane and I was advised to use a lambswool device to apply the poly. Then I came home and read your recent posts, Richard - and yes, product I was talking of (the spar varnish) is a quality product but after more reading I just didn't feel right about using it on this table. I also found this thread on "woodjocks" website and found the discussion leading me towards poly even more. http://lumberjocks.com/topics/2565 So, I have a applied one coat of poly with the wool device. I am not sure how I feel about this wool idea - it seems to leave lint behind? I am thinking of switching to a brush, or to disposable foam brushes for the next 3 coats. Any advice on how to proceed from here onto my last coats of poly (even just some encouragement) is appreciated. I'm not sure how I like the semigloss finish - its nice, but I hope it will be waterproof and repellant to dinner sauces, wine, etc. I am also feeling concerned about my work environment. I am working in a free standing garage and the temps are supposed to dip down into 40s this week at night. Will that be a problem in between dry coats of poly? Here is a link that might be useful: thread on spar varnish I found
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tuesday_2008
12 years ago
Try posting this on the Woodworking forum. There are some very skilled woodworkers over there who should be able to help you.

Tuesday
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
12 years ago
Go to WalMart and get some 0000 steel wool and a container of Goop hand cleaner (in the auto department). Apply with the steel wool and wipe off with rags. This will dissolve any "gunk" on the surface and leave a nice shine. I do this with all my furniture and kitchen cabinets. Safe and non-toxic too. Do this until the wood feels smooth as glass.
rosie
12 years ago
Angel, when you decide on the best way to preserve the value, as well as make it beautiful again, please come back and share. I purchased a cherry Willet sideboard and hutch I fell in love with, also at a happy (for me) price because it's missing 2 of its original handles and plates and has 50+ years of normal household wear on the finish. I haven't been rushing to do anything about it since it is such a big job, and also because it really should be done by an expert who just isn't in our budget.
Christie Santercangelo
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the info, I'll cross post on the woodworking board. I'll report back Rosie!

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