Woodgraining.

SWMBO bought a rather battered gateleg table which had been "woodgrained", and the finish is giving up the struggle.I have been instructed to "do something with it!!"
Does anyone have any idea of what the primer coat is.Is a milk coffee colour, fills the grain,and is resistant to paint stripper.
The top coat, with the "graining" has become ectremely brittle, especially where it has been exposed to sunlight.It shatters and lifts easily, but the other "gloop" is taxing my patience.
I KNOW I will be regarded ad a heretic by many, but the timber patterns so far exposed are far superior to the man made finish with which the table was adorned, and some white lac and wax will show them off a treat if I can just remove the "undercoat.
HELP!!!!!

Hi Lignin,
Anything flaking I remove on such items unless someone advises me otherwise. If you go down that route, lots of sanding will be required.

The milk coffee colour primer is very stubborn, which I deal with a belt sander.

Maybe a complete strip is in order and who knows what lovely timber you will find.

Ask the boss lady again, does she like flaky,or shall you strip it and let her make another decision.

I presume it's not a museum piece. Can you post a piccie. What are the joins like? How "battered" is it.

cheers
conwood

G'day conwood,
I thought the Q must be too tough!!
Have just come in from FINAL strip and scrub.Remind me NEVER to try another piece with so many bl**dy turnings.That Milky Coffee stuff sticks like s*** to a blanket, and each crevice has to be gouged out by hand.
The woodgraining was a SECOND incarnation, as, when I got down to the timber, it had been stained an almost, no, I lie, an actual, black.I think that particular decor was in fashion in about 1920!!
The top of the table has the most spectacular "flame" patterns on each leaf (3 of) ,so I am mystified to understand why the artificial gloop was used to mask Nature's own superb efforts.
Now all that remains is a good sand and a couple of coats of polyurethane.I know, I know, heresy, but the table is for a 94 yr old who can't look after a polished surface.
Anyhow, that's where we're at, and thanks for the reply,
Lignin

Good work Lignin.
It's a mystery why they put crap over natures best.
With sanding turnings, I use belt sand paper folded as its quite tough and you can sand with the grain. I even use sharp chisels sometimes to get right into tight spots, then sand. It's a pain, but good sanding displays good workmanship.

If you get time post a piccie as it sounds like a nice table.

cheers
conwood