refinishing furniture

MoJ · 02-10-08, 06:54 PM

I have an oak office table/desk that's been abused for the last 50 years or so. There aren't any deep gouges but it's been in a production facility all it's life and has several deep dark stains. The grease and grime has penetrated pretty far. It's pretty simple in design and not at all ornate.

I'd like to refinish it. Should I strip it with a chemical stripper or just sand it all down?

reffug · 02-11-08, 02:55 AM

I would think your gonna end up doing a combination of both. Start by using a chemical stripper and see where that gets you and after that be prepared to break out the sanding gear.

Creeker · 02-11-08, 06:48 AM

Make sure it's solid wood and not veneer before you start sanding. If the stains have penetrated too deep, you may be better off leaving them. Adds character.

stayalert · 02-11-08, 10:22 AM

take the top off and run it through a big planer

MoJ · 02-11-08, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayalert

take the top off and run it through a big planer

If I only had a big planer

.

stayalert · 02-11-08, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoJ

If I only had a big planer

.

rip into into several pieces and send them through a small planar - then edge join them

might also consider flipping the top....

reffug · 02-11-08, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayalert

rip into into several pieces and send them through a small planar - then edge join them

might also consider flipping the top....

both viable options.

stayalert · 02-11-08, 06:44 PM

another option would be to mix up a suitable batch of grease and grime and apply uniformly to the entire top - ie "stain" the whole top.

waiting patiently for photo(s)

02-10-08, 06:54 PM	#1
MoJ Present Join Date: Oct 2003 TLCA# 14112 Posts: 2,668	refinishing furniture I have an oak office table/desk that's been abused for the last 50 years or so. There aren't any deep gouges but it's been in a production facility all it's life and has several deep dark stains. The grease and grime has penetrated pretty far. It's pretty simple in design and not at all ornate. I'd like to refinish it. Should I strip it with a chemical stripper or just sand it all down?

02-11-08, 02:55 AM	#2
reffug grown up MOD Join Date: May 2004 Location: 'in dat der briar patch' TLCA# 14549 Posts: 3,772	I would think your gonna end up doing a combination of both. Start by using a chemical stripper and see where that gets you and after that be prepared to break out the sanding gear. __________________ "If it wasn't a Landcruiser and hadn't been built the way it was you do realize you would be DEAD." VA State Police Officer

02-11-08, 06:48 AM	#3
Creeker Drinking the Kool-aid Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: On a darkling plain Posts: 162	Make sure it's solid wood and not veneer before you start sanding. If the stains have penetrated too deep, you may be better off leaving them. Adds character. __________________ '88 FJ62 - 12HT conversion, OME Lift, ARB front bumper, Roof Rack '04 Prius - stock '66 Pearson Commander - a hole in the water to throw money into. __________________________________________________ ________________________________________ And we are here as on a darkling plain Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, Where ignorant armies clash by night.

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02-11-08, 10:22 AM	#4
stayalert IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Norwich, VT Posts: 1,001	take the top off and run it through a big planer

02-11-08, 06:44 PM	#8
stayalert IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Norwich, VT Posts: 1,001	another option would be to mix up a suitable batch of grease and grime and apply uniformly to the entire top - ie "stain" the whole top. waiting patiently for photo(s)