refinishing furniture

[MoJ]

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]

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]

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]

take the top off and run it through a big planer

 

[MoJ]

take the top off and run it through a big planer

If I only had a big planer .

 

[stayalert]

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]

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]

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)