What would you do, refurb coffee table

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Thu Jan 27, 2022 12:00 pm

Hi guys, looking for some suggestions on what to do with this coffee table I picked up at a local charity furniture shop. We have been looking for a new table for ages and everywhere we looked we found hollow sounding rubbish for hundreds of pounds. Happen to pass a second hand furniture shop and found this beast for 40£.

I am thinking of painting the legs and side, stripping the top varnish off, sanding and refinishing as it needs a bit of life put back into it.

Any suggestions on paints/wood finishes or creative ideas welcome.

Kind Regards

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Jan 27, 2022 12:37 pm

The problem you face is that you cannot get all of the existing table top finish removed where it soaked in
and that subsequent finish coats will be patchy. It already looks patchy so it may have been done before. The only way to tell is to try and if it produces a poor result you can fall back and paint it. Look at my link below about painting with BIN which might be of use.

DWD

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:32 pm

I went ahead and stripped the table. Was definantly only the original finish. This is what I have after 30 mins of orbital sanding. Quite happy with the consistancy of the wood colour but unfortunately quite a lot of damage was hiding under the varnish.
Was planning to oil but I don't think its viable now :(

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:41 pm

It is oak, a nice natural finish might work. A water based lacquer would sit on the surface and not yellow. Look at Ronseal they do a good one.

DWD

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:32 pm

Yes pretty much looking for a natural finish allthough and oil would give it a little colour and depth to the grain. Just not sure what to do about these old woodworm holes and scratches. Scratch type ones are probably 0.5mm deep, too much to keep sanding!

banjerbill · Post by **banjerbill** » Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:48 pm

Are you 100% sure the centre planks aren't veneered? Be careful if you keep sanding.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:52 pm

My thoughts are to avoid stain or oil as you may well get the patchy look. A clear finish will emphasise the grain of the oak. I would not worry about dings, any filler will show out. Clear finish oak is more on trend these days. Turn the table upside down so you can experiment on the underside. I used this https://www.homebase.co.uk/ronseal-perf ... 583131158d on a load of oak doors recently and it was easy to wipe on with the included pad. It dried quickly with no smell and the finish is diamond hard as stated.

DWD

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:23 pm

Finished apart from a final varnish coat. Went with the perfect finish Ronseal in the end.

zinsser primer base followed by 2 coats of wickes interior wood satin
3 coats of varnish top.

Pretty happy with results.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:43 pm

Looking good well done

The perfect finish is tough enough, I do not think you need to varnish over

DWD

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:50 am

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:43 pm Looking good well done The perfect finish is tough enough, I do not think you need to varnish over

DWD

I mean a final coat of ronseal perfect finish. Light sand with 240 grit and final coat.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Feb 02, 2022 9:41 am

Oh, I see, yes rub the sandpaper on concrete to dull it as you only want a very light cut to remove any nibs. Perfect Finish really is a joy to use I found.

DWD

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Wed Feb 02, 2022 12:46 pm

Scarparoo wrote: ↑Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:50 am
dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:43 pm Looking good well done The perfect finish is tough enough, I do not think you need to varnish over

DWD
I mean a final coat of ronseal perfect finish. Light sand with 240 grit and final coat.

Lovely job. Can I just check - did you use the clear Ronseal or one of the colours? It's a remarkable transformation if it was just the clear.

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:44 pm

I used clear satin.

I sanded down a final time by hand with the grain after that sanded picture but it was kind of the same colour still.
Gave it a good hoover and clean. Let it dry, then applied 4 coats of ronseal clear satin perfect finish. It gives the wood that "wet" look so brings out the colour and grain more I suppose.