Hi,

I am editing this post because I did not make myself clear. I was given this beautiful dining table from a friend and her son and friends had a water fight in the house with some garden hose and water got on the table and the boys never cleaned up the water. So now the table top (Veneer I think) is bubbled up. I sanded the life out of it and nothing happend.

I don't have a belt sander and no one I know has one so now I am looking into something else to use.

I have free time on my hands so effort is not a problem for me. I plan to Shabby Chic the table so "Perfect" is not my goal. I just want to set a plate down on the table and have it lay flat.

Anyone have some good ideas for me?

Thanks for all your help DIY'ers

 

Mylilprincess,

The first thing that needs to be determined is what type of finish is on the table. To do this, you'll need to pick up a small container of Denatured Alcohol, Lacquer thinner, and Acetone.

In as inconspicuous place as possible, first rub some of the Denatured Alcohol on the finish with a rag. If the finish dissolves and comes off, it is a shellac finish. If it doesn't dissolve, apply the Lacquer thinner to the area. If the finish dissolves now, it's a lacquer finish. If it doesn't dissolve, apply the acetone to the finish. If nothing else, except the acetone, dissolved the finish that indicates that it is probably a varnish finish and the Acetone should dissolve the finish with just a little rubbing.

All of these three solvents are flammable. All of them have a strong smell. Make sure you have adequate ventilation when you use them!!

Which ever solvent works to remove the finish is the solvent you use to wash down the entire top of the table to remove the existing finish. If the finish happens to be lacquer, a 50/50 mix of lacquer thinner and acetone will more readily remove it.

When you've this point, you're ready to start with you finishing. Follow the instructions I left it the adjacent question by annmcanulty for the process of finishing the table.

If you have any questions, let us know. You'll do just fine. Just take it one step at a time!!

Good luck,
CD

 

Hello again,

Took table 100% apart today and it does NOT have a veneer sheet top like I had thought. It's 100% solid wood. So now I plan to go to Lowes and get some hard core sand paper and yet again sand the life out if the table to get rid of the nasty bubbles.

So how does sand paper go? Higher the grit the ruffer it is or is it the other way around? I will go get the paper next week when I have time to go out into town.

Thanks!

 

Mylilprincess,

With sandpaper, the lower the number, the coarser the grit.
Have you thought about stripping the table rather than sanding off all the finish?
You should be able to strip the top of the table in a half an hour or so. Sanding will take a lot longer.

CD