Dining room table top finish problems.

Dining room table top problems: I have skimed the other posts and still have some questions on this table. Can you help or point me to the correct post?


We had the original dining room table redone 8 or 9 years ago and have been using it for a kitchen table. It had been covered by a piece of glass as a cover but this was taken off several years ago.
I am not sure what it was finished with.

In the last year the table has started to lose its finish all over the table top. The finish has started to flake off down to bare wood all across the table top in different areas. The bare spots vary in size but you can just take your finger or knife edge and flake the pieces off. The finish is missing down to bare wood with even the stain is gone in the bare areas. I need to refinish it. The color is about a Minwax “provincial” color.

Each half of the table is made of two large pieces of veneer and then the trim around the edges is about 2+ inches wide and made of the same type of veneer strips. The rest of the table seems to be in good shape down to the floor; just the veneer part of the top is losing it finish and the wood is smooth where the finish is flaking.

I am curious as to why the finish separated and do not want to have this happen again!

I want to refinish the table and use it at my farm. At the farm the table will take a late afternoon sun for several hours each day as the table will sit next to windows that look out onto the river.

What is the best way to strip and refinish the top so that it will not separate with a use? What would you use to refinish this table so that it will last? It has been 20+ years since I have done any refinish work and things change.

All advice appreciated.

Jim

 

I would just strip it, stain it, and put a good durable coat of polyurethane on it. If the top is stable, veneer and all, this should not be a problem to accomplish.

 

Which is the best finish to use?

My HD has lots of types of MinWax finishes.

I was looking at the Minwax Helmsman spar urthane since we have lots of afternoon sun.

OR
Minwax wipe on poly finish for a Hand wiped look.

What is your opinion as to looks and durabality?

 

I have had success with many of the MiniWax products. I'm not familiar with their Spar Urethane, but most "spar" varnishes are durable for outdoor use, because they don't get hard, so they tend not to chip. However, because they stay soft, they show marks - probably not what you want on a table top.

I would use a regular polyurethane, use several coats applied very thin, and sand lightly (with a block so you don't get "finger marks") between coats - fine grit, maybe 320. Finish with a good wax.

 

is your finish turing white as well? does it soften with heat, such as hot plates or sun? if so, it may be cheap lacquer, maybe even a nitro. if it was a lacquer applied over a minwax stain, that is probably the issue. they are not very compatable. the best bet is to strip and sand until all of the old finish is off. at that point you can restain and finish it. do not use minwax. there are much better products on the market. Minwax is the most popular stain out there, but that is more from marketing then quality. go with a good tonetic stain, such as P&L and then if you want use a good urathane. I would use Fabulon. It is a modified urathane for floors. great durabilty and does not react to hot plates. 3-4 coats will give you a great finish. if you want to spray it, that would be better. again use a tonetic stain and then a true vinyle sealer with a very good catalyzed lacquer over the top. a good catalyzed lacquer will provide better protection then any brushable varnish or urathane and will not react to heat or water.

 

Finish did not turn white. The color is still the same.

Kinda reminds you of an old house outside paint job that has stated to peal and pops off down to wood when you scrape it.

It is poping off all over the table top. Not in just one section.

Sides and base are holding fine except for wear and tear.

I plan to restore and put the cut glass cover back on top and take to my farm. I have to recane two of the chairs but that has never been a problem.