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Trash To Treasure

Tips for refinishing this?

18 years ago

I just found this coffee table on Craigslist -- for $8!!!

It has paint on the top, and some scratches and a few little places where the wood is lifted up a little. I have my little orbital sander out ready to go tomorrow (if the rain holds off and I can do it on the deck). I do believe the piece is solid oak, but I'm wondering if it's veneered on the top just by the slight raising up in places. There is also a bit of scuffing on the edges and the feet.

Do you please have any tips for how to turn this back into the beauty it used to be?

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (6)

mojojojogrlnj
18 years ago
this table is perfect for that shabby chic look...scratches and dings just wonderful lol....you can go get the ivory distress kit at wallmart if youve never shabby chiced its so easy....anyway post a pic after your done whatever you decide
oceanna
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for your reply. This is a gift for my son and he's not into shabby chic. I've been sanding the top and it's not perfectly blended yet... the damaged spots still show up as slightly blonder irregular patches. Do I need to blend them completely with sanding, or will the stain handle that? I'm a little afraid there is veneer on the top and of going through it.
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First off I want to take my hat off in admiration of the job you have done. Considering all the work it took getting to where you are I would incourage you to make your own decisions on staining and top coating. It's obvious your are not lazy and looking for quick fixing the project. As a matter of opinion and to give you something to consider. The room would look good with the piece finished "primitive",and the piece looks like it would agree. Going that route benifits if some old finish remains. I would sand it smooth, either clear coat as is or use a light wash coat of light color translucent stain then clear coat. getting the best look requires standing back and allowing your eyes and taste guide you in wherther to sand,stain or scrape here or there. One simple but potentially impressive trick is sanding slight recesses in places where years of use would have resulted in wear such as next to handles and latches. Do the deep sanding AFTER WASH COAT for best effect. The really adventurous will make a few gouges and dents then fill with finish same color as origional if non are naturally present. The old pros will run down DIY product lines and reccomend professionel grade products. If one is inexperienced it's best sticking with DIY products until they pratice with pro grade a few times on scrap boards. Whatever you choose,try to stay with a single system from start to finish,following directions on containers. Min-Wax and Deft are easy to find products. Good luck,have fun, trust your heart,judgment and eyes.
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What a lovely home! I agree with those who think the table is just fine as it is. Also agree with the suggestion for an upholstered chair to up the comfort and look. It appears that your table and carpet are not centered under the chandelier. If this isn't possible (because you won't have enough space to walk around the table), think about a fixture that could be swagged to where ever the center needs to be. If the table lives most of its life as a round, then a square rug would be ideal, as suggested above, but the rug is very pretty and not the first thing I'd spend money on replacing. It appears that you have roller blinds on your windows currently. Are these required for sun control or privacy? Sheers don't seem consistent with the other design elements of your home in my opinion, but any drapery treatment is going to cover up your windows since there is not any room for a stack back that is off the windows. Roman Shades that fit into the window frames would dress the window a little more formally and give the room a more finished look, but it is important to know what the goal is.
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luvstocraft
18 years ago
I think those tables were solid oak, no veneer. I actually like some dings and gouges in the wood myself--just gives it more "history". ;o) I think just a good sanding to make the top nice and smooth again and then a new coat of poly or varnish should do it. It looks like a nice sturdy table. Luvs
oceanna
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks. I finished sanding it. I had to sand it because it had some raised places and some deep scratches, not just because someone decided to use it as a painting bench several times.

The bottom of the table is solid and the top is veneered. I stained it tonight and have put on the first coat of tung oil. It's not perfect and I didn't dare sand any deeper. There are a few small scratches and dings still showing, but nothing glaring -- just enough for a little patina. It looks about a billion percent better than it did. I'm really happy! I sure hope my son loves it as much as I do. I think he's going to be very surprised at this gift and it will look wonderful in his home.
ashli
18 years ago
I think it looks great as-is. (or was)Looks very heavy...and nice with your floor.
oceanna
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, Ashli. The top was pretty rugged when I got it. It had quite a bit of paint on it. I could have just stripped that. But I had to sand because it had gouges and raised places as well. That didn't show in the picture above. I've applied my third coat of tung oil now and it's getting shinier with every coat. I hope my son loves it! He's getting it early as I have no place to store it... right now it's in the middle of my kitchen. I'm not even sure how I'm going to get it over there. I told him today he's going to have to come and get his present. lol

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