Old Mountain Ash Slab Table

[danger85]

Hi all,

I recently aquired this old mountain ash slab table and want to restore it. Having only limited woodworking knowledge I was wondering what your recommendations were to restore it to its former glory without losing all its character. The plan at the moment is lots of sanding. Any help much appreciated!
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[Luke Maddux]

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[danger85]

Attachment isn't working for me.

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[Luke Maddux]

Working now.

Unless there is some serious damage somewhere, I'd say that your plan to basically just sand it until it looks good is a winner.

You mentioned not much woodworking experience, so I'll give some very basic advice. My apologies if it's too basic.

First, I would use an orbital sander on the surfaces which are large enough. I would start with 80 grit and finish with 240. On the surfaces which can't be power sanded, I would use timber-specific 80 grit sandpaper (the yellow stuff) wrapped around a sanding block, and then switch to 120, 180 and 240 in wet/dry sandpaper (the black stuff on blue backing).

Whatever you do, always make your final sanding strokes with each grit, even on the surfaces which were large enough to power sand, parallel to the grain by hand, otherwise it will leave marks. Be meticulous about this. Whatever finish you apply with highlight sanding marks which you couldn't see before.

Consider going a grit higher on the end grain because there is so much of it. Often times this helps the end grain retain a similar tone to the long grain.

If you plan to use it inside, you might consider french polishing or a tung-oil based product for finishing, followed by a carnauba wax topcoat for added durability. If you're going to use it outside, seek someone else's advice. I've never made exterior furniture. I think varnish is pretty protective, but, again, not my forte.

Good luck. It's a sweet table as is.

Cheers,
Luke

[danger85]

Cheers for the advice Luke. That was pretty much what I was planning. It's always good to hear I'm heading in the right direction!

Im looking forward to seeing how the table comes up.

[fletty]

Hi danger,
To be honest, the charm of the table IS its distress, the patches of paint etc. Before you do anything intrusive such as sanding, I would just brush the loose dirt off and oil it?
If you don't like the result you could still sand afterwards?

fletty

[Christos]

Looking at what you have and considering the two opposing views. I am tending to go the way of sanding the table and then apply a finish.

I don't expect this to be perfect finish just enough in retaining some character. I agree with sanding the end grain a little smoother so that less finish is soaked up.

Do post photos when this is done it would be interesting to see what it looks.