Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - restoring old mahogany veneer table
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : restoring old mahogany veneer table
strada
08-02-08, 11:57 AM
Hello, great forum, glad I found it, like the way the Q's are answered in plain no-nonsense English.
I have an old round mahogany table which has been lurking in our cellar for many years, my wife got it from her grandmother and we think it's about 60 - 100 years old.
The table is in good condition generally, but the top shows signs of being well used in its previous life. Most of the sheen has gone, quite patchy, stain is lighter where sheen has gone, some dark circular marks (possibly from very hot plates?). Also a few slight nicks in the wood here and there which I can fix.
To revitalise the top, I've noticed George is a fan of Turtle wax and polish and wondered if this would be suitable in this instance or will the lighter shades of the stain require something more involved.
Any help will be greatly appreciated, strada.
I have an old round mahogany table which has been lurking in our cellar for many years, my wife got it from her grandmother and we think it's about 60 - 100 years old.
The table is in good condition generally, but the top shows signs of being well used in its previous life. Most of the sheen has gone, quite patchy, stain is lighter where sheen has gone, some dark circular marks (possibly from very hot plates?). Also a few slight nicks in the wood here and there which I can fix.
To revitalise the top, I've noticed George is a fan of Turtle wax and polish and wondered if this would be suitable in this instance or will the lighter shades of the stain require something more involved.
Any help will be greatly appreciated, strada.
Just Bill
08-03-08, 05:01 PM
Big difference in time between 60-100yrs, but my guess is it is finished either in shellac or lacquer. Easy to tell...in a hidden spot(underneath), rub with denatured alcohol, and a spot with lacquer thinner. The shellac will be dissolved by the alcohol, but not the lacquer thinner, and vice versa.
Not sure what are your intentions if you find the finish, will it be refinished or just cleaned up for use??? Not a fan of turtle wax for furniture. And wax does not sound like the solution you seek. It will not change the color or get rid of the stains.
Not sure what are your intentions if you find the finish, will it be refinished or just cleaned up for use??? Not a fan of turtle wax for furniture. And wax does not sound like the solution you seek. It will not change the color or get rid of the stains.
George
08-04-08, 10:12 AM
I use Turtle wax polishing Compound and Scratch Remover to eliminate white water marks in lacquer and shellac finishes. Except for historical accuracy, I don't suggest a wax finish for furniture.
You can wipe the top with paint thinner to reveal the overall color if you were to apply a coat of finish over the xisting one.
The black heat/water marks can be partially removed (perhaps completely) with the use of a wood bleach, such as oxalic acid. Only bad news here is the finish must be removed first in order for the bleach to work.
You can wipe the top with paint thinner to reveal the overall color if you were to apply a coat of finish over the xisting one.
The black heat/water marks can be partially removed (perhaps completely) with the use of a wood bleach, such as oxalic acid. Only bad news here is the finish must be removed first in order for the bleach to work.
strada
08-05-08, 03:59 PM
Just Bill, thanks for your response and I will do the tests as you suggest at the weekend.
My intention is to bring the table back into service. It was a dining table but I have removed the centre section of the pedestal in order to lower the height and it will be used as a 'coffee table' until we find something suitable for this particular room. All the pedestal pieces (which were bolted together) have been boxed up and stowed away in the event the table reverts to a dining table. So in answer to your question, my preference would be to 'clean it up for use' as it will become a practical and working piece of furniture.
George, many thanks to you too for your help. The idea of a wipe with paint thinner to reveal the overall colour and then a new finish coat sounds good. Presumably this will retain the original colour and overall tone of the table and then the new finish would give a more uniform top finish? The black marks are not a major cause of concern as I'm sure my wife will want to put some kind of ornate lace mat in the centre and that would cover these marks. That's my next hurdle!
Thanks for all the help, I'm very grateful.
My intention is to bring the table back into service. It was a dining table but I have removed the centre section of the pedestal in order to lower the height and it will be used as a 'coffee table' until we find something suitable for this particular room. All the pedestal pieces (which were bolted together) have been boxed up and stowed away in the event the table reverts to a dining table. So in answer to your question, my preference would be to 'clean it up for use' as it will become a practical and working piece of furniture.
George, many thanks to you too for your help. The idea of a wipe with paint thinner to reveal the overall colour and then a new finish coat sounds good. Presumably this will retain the original colour and overall tone of the table and then the new finish would give a more uniform top finish? The black marks are not a major cause of concern as I'm sure my wife will want to put some kind of ornate lace mat in the centre and that would cover these marks. That's my next hurdle!
Thanks for all the help, I'm very grateful.