Anyone know about furniture restoration?

[ednewmy]

Bought a nest of tables (Thank you Barbara of the EDF!) all of which have to varying degrees, pretty knackered tops - marked all over, down to the bare wood in a lot of areas, cracked and flaking lacquer/varnish whatever it may be. Pics attached. I like a lived in look on furniture, but these are a bit too far gone even for me.

I know they'll need an abrasive, but not what - fine sandpaper, fine wire wool? After I've done that, then what. Pretty sure they are not just waxed/oiled bare wood, but have some kind of coating, don't know what. Googling returns so many different suggestions I'm a bit stumped. Any help gratefully received!

[steveo]

Electric sander, stain, varnish

Job done as Tommy might say

[ednewmy]

Thanks!

What sort of stain would that be? Aren't there many different types, or would I just try and find the best one to match the rest, as I don't intend to touch the legs as they're all pretty much fine.

[*Bob*]

If you're looking to get a finish similar to the legs, a picture of the legs would be good!

Nice glitterball..

[Jules-and-Boo]

Get those white marks ? caused by hot cups or sweating glasses ? off your coffee table or other wooden furniture by making a paste of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Gently rub the spot in a circular motion until it disappears. Remember not to use too much water.

then, sand it all down and either apply wax or varnish (varnish is harder to apply)

[red devil]

Are they solid or veneered wood?...

[ednewmy]

Thanks all for the tips.

As far as I can tell they are solid wood with a lacquer/varnish finish.

I tried using baking soda and water to get rid of the water marks and it worked really well on one that was less ingrained, and on another it didn't make much difference. I gave them all a good feed with some beeswax and one of them is now looking like it doesn't need anything else doing to it.

I'll try and get hold of an electric sander for the other two then apparently spray-can lacquer is the way to go according to a friend of a friend who is a furniture maker...

[Seabag]

They're polished, as in a shellac based polish. It's why the water marks are there, trapped in the polish. It's usually caused by vases of flowers etc

They need cabinet (blade) scraping along the grain and repolishing with button or French polish. Don't wax or varnish the polish, as it's an organic compound and eventually blackens/discolours over time.

If you want to make them good, knowing they're not worth much. Then varnish them with and eggshell varnish, but if they're a nest of 20th Century modern, then do them properly, or ask someone to get done for you

Jerry at I.D in Church road Crystal Palace is a good go to

[DulwichFox]

Try Klaus the House (Carpentry)

Local fellow

[email protected]

07976 401 767

DulwichFox

[malumbu]

Sand along the grain staring course (maybe 80 grit) going down to much finer abrasive paper (say 400).

Stain my hide some of the marks, ultimately you can bleach the whole thing and then start again with a colour. Rubbing hard generates heat which can also help remove the marks.

Fine wood will be French Polished which is great fun to do, but a bit of a labour of love. Your wood looks courser.

Modern polyurathane is good and water based, sand down very slightly with some 'flour paper' (very fine abrasive) then it will take wax well.

Or use the professional spary on laqueur. http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/blog/types-of-wood-finishes-making-wood-beautiful/ I've had no issues with polyeurathane on a 1930 solid oak table

The difficulty is since we joined the EU no one learns anything practical any more at school due to health and safety. I am being facetious but it is a shame there isn't more hands on stuff for kids. Perhaps do yourself a favour and enrol on a relevant night school class.

But ... (a) whilst it is good getting recommendations from social media nothing beats a good book (or in modern days a good Google) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Guide-Repairing-Restoring-Furniture/dp/1780191448 (b) Go to one of the few shops around that can still advise - maybe Whitten Timber (sometimes) but Myalands in West Norwood is the bees knees http://www.mylands.co.uk/