oak table restoration

[jw2170]

Hi,

A work friend had just purchased a table and set of chairs which she believes to be antique oak. (Jacobean?)

If it is antique, someone has taken one end off to make a folding section.

She would like to take the stain or finish off and re-stain a darker color.

She is not aware of the original finish.

She asked me as she thought I did wood working........

I suggested she tips it upside down and test a small section with 120grit sandpaper to see if it is a varnish type finish or some type of stain......

Any suggestion or comments welcomed......

[Grandad-5]

I'll leave the questions of finish to those more experienced. I'd probably try some metho and steel wool on the underside before sandpaper but I'm an amateur in this field.
However, the style and period is Jacobean Revival. The original Jacobean was the early 1600's. era? Early 20th century. 1940's if I was pushed to narrow it down more.

[dr4g0nfly]

If it is that sort of age the original finish would have been something natural, Veg Oils or wax, with or without a colourant. So I'd be more concerned what had been applied since. With something of that age it's all about the patina so please be careful.

The only advice I can offer about aging it is to look at the fixings, Machine cut screws etc did not arrive until much later, if they are hand cut screws etc., it's no guarentee but it might be a big hint.

[rogerjenkins]

Got one of those tables,- lovely things to restore !! Especially those Barley-Twist legs.
Had several over the years. The top is relatively easy, the legs,- " Yuk. " Drives one batty,- or more to the point,- drives me, " batty,' cleaning the twirly bits !!!

Usual finish is an early type of high-gloss cellulose lacquer which was sprayed on by the Furniture Manufacturer of the day. The," Stain," is incorporated in the lacquer,- same principle as the Modern Varnish-Stains of today. It is messy stuff to remove,- the most effective being a quality modern-day Paint Stripper,- and work on a section at a time. Whatever you do,- DON'T take a short-cut and get it Caustic Dipped, as that will ruin the wood color, plus also eat into all the joins, as, Caustic baths, " love,' disolving the old Hide Glue which would have been used to glue all the joints together. It can be sanded but that creates problems as that type of old style Lacquer sticks to the sandpaper as the rubbing action warms up the lacquer, result being you will go through metres, & metres of sandpaper to get anywhere. Same applies to using steel wool,- which although don't clog up as much as sandpaper is great on one's fingers,- gloves, or no gloves.

*** If you are," LUCKY," it may have been French Polished,- which is easy to tell,- simply pour on a little Metho where it won't be seen, let it sit for several minutes, then rub with a Nylon Scourer, ( Black & Gold type ), If the Scourer changes colour, and the timber looks cleaner, then it's finished with French Polish,- which disolves in Metho. Only problem being you will require several Gallons, ( literally ), or about 10 litres for a table of that size, along with several packets of Nylon Scourers and heaps of, " Elbow Grease," along with lots of Patience, and a few choice descriptive words for the twirly bits. But, with determination, you will succeed.
Roger

[jw2170]

Thanks very much for the quick responses.

I will pass this on before she does anything drastic....