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01/02/2008, 10:10 Ian Joined on 05/06/2006 Nr. Buzancais, Indre Posts 93 Re-finishing kitchen table We recently acquired an old wooden kitchen table. The top has been waxed and looks lovely, but shows every heat and water mark. Not ideal in a kitchen table, so I'm planning to re-finish the top. It's a workaday piece of furniture, not an antique, so any process can be considered. Ideally, what I want to do is seal the surface first with something (matt Ronseal, sanding sealer, whatever), then wax/oil it  for a nice finish. But, I don't think Ronseal would take on a waxed surface. Suppose I rubbed it down first with steel wool and turps, then wiped with a clean rag? Would that be enough, or are we talking a session with Nitromors? Alternatively, how about a heavy duty hard wax (?) flooring product? Osmo maybe, or Bona? OK for wear and tear on a kitchen table, I guess, but water- and heat-proof? Any suggestions will be gratefully received.    Report

01/02/2008, 14:08 Cat Joined on 21/01/2005 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 3,192 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table Depends on the colour finish you're after. I used teak oil on our coffee table with great success.  You could perhaps start by reading these threads... http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1096711/ShowPost.aspx http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/767143/ShowPost.aspx Cathy Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...    Report

03/02/2008, 18:03 Jonzjob Joined on 23/08/2004 Nr Carcassonne, 11 Posts 2,842 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table If you are going to put anything other than wax back on the surface you will have to get all of the wax off. The way that I would do it is with a cabinet scraper. It might sound a bit daunting, but it should be easy enough to do. Just make sure that the scraper is 'sharp' and it will act like a very fine plane. Don't use abrasive paper because it will just clog up very quickly. Sorry if I am teaching you how to suck eggs here, but if you don't know about scrapers have a look at this site http://www.woodzone.com/articles/scrapers/index.htm .  I treated myself to one of these http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=22455&name=cabinet+scraper&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=0 , it saves my hands and when you have arthritis in them it really helps!! It makes it as easy as using a spoke shave, another wonderful tool, but not for what you want to do. As for the finish. If it's going to get a lot of wear then I would use about 4 coats of Danish oil. As I have said before, it's easy to use, food safe ans easy to repair. Of course you could always use polyeurathane (?) varnish . It would make it very hard wearing no matter what anyone says?? John. The only difference between the men & the boys is the size & the shape & the price of their toys!!    Report

06/02/2008, 21:46 Ian Joined on 05/06/2006 Nr. Buzancais, Indre Posts 93 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table Thanks, Jonzjob. You've confirmed what I feared, that the existing wax would pose a problem. I've seen the finish that cabinet scrapers can give, but I don't think they're an option in this case - the existing wood surface just isn't good enough for them, and as it's only a kitchen table, it's not worth putting a lot of effort into getting a fine finish. What I'll probably do is prepare the surface with steel wool and turps, but then I have to make a decision - try and seal the new surface first with something (but will it take?) or go straight to waxing/oiling (but will water continue to mark it?). I think the first option is doomed to failure, so unless anybody knows differently, I think I'll go straight to rubbing in Danish oil. And afterwards, the table....    Report

06/02/2008, 22:01 LEO Joined on 15/04/2006 Calvados,14 Posts 981 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table You ought to strip the existing finish with a paint stripper, layed on the surface for 5/15 minutes, then removed  using course grade  steel wool followed by another smattering of paint remover ,rubbed off almost straight away with a very fine grade steel wool . First phase now complete! 2nd stage you have many choices.   Leo. www.vianormandy.com ( I I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure! )    Report

06/02/2008, 22:42 Jonzjob Joined on 23/08/2004 Nr Carcassonne, 11 Posts 2,842 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table It may well be worth trying a small corner of the table with a scraper. You might just be surprised at how easy it can be? Also in your case all you want to do is to remove the wax and not start on the wooden surface. If the wax is old it could be quite hard and the danish oil may not penitrate it. An option is to ask Liberon UK as to the best way to prepare the table. They are very helpful and you can e-mail them wth your question at http://www.liberon.co.uk/contact-us,438.html or phone them on +441993 704611. If you go the route of the paint stripper then make VERY sure that you have a very good pair of rubber gloves on! Leo, I have never tried your method, but i would think that the wood could well collect the stripper in any imperfections in the grain and be a real swine to get out afterwards. also you would need to give the top a really good wash to get rid of any remaining stripper or it will play havoc with anything you put on it afterwards? Also, isn't it a rather large hammer to crack wax? I could well be wrong! John. The only difference between the men & the boys is the size & the shape & the price of their toys!!    Report

06/02/2008, 22:56 LEO Joined on 15/04/2006 Calvados,14 Posts 981 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table quote by the original poster; "but shows every heat and water mark" If you don't remove this,then you will never be totally satisfied with the table! It is actually easier and quicker, to strip and start from scratch ! Leo. www.vianormandy.com ( I I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure! )    Report

07/02/2008, 6:25 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 ex-Sharjah U.A.E Posts 2,174 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table Strip it with chemical stripper, wash very very well, sand back to clean finish, apply danish oil. Its food friendly, nothing else is imho. Steve now ex-Sharjah + 50 (in France) ...........................................................................    Report

07/02/2008, 8:34 Jonzjob Joined on 23/08/2004 Nr Carcassonne, 11 Posts 2,842 Re: Re-finishing kitchen table Slightly different tack.. If you are trying to get rid of water marks on a wax surface the best way to do it is to mix some cigarette ash (a rare comodity these daze peut etra?) with some linseed oil and rub it into the water mark with a soft cloth. The water mark will vanish just like magic !! John. The only difference between the men & the boys is the size & the shape & the price of their toys!!    Report

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