When my lovely mother-in-law asked if I could refinish the two small end tables they’re using as a coffee table in their new apartment, I was happy to take them on. The tabletops showed years of everyday wear, while the bases were still in great shape. With a full refinish on the tops and some careful touch-ups on the bases, the pair came back looking fresh, polished, and ready for many more years of use.
The two tables ready for their makeover. They are stamped Knetchel Quality Furniture "Couontry Oak"
One dated Jan 13 1981 and the other Feb 14 1980 <3 which explains the difference in colors and wood grain pattern.
The classic square style and turned legs and solid build make them well worth making pretty again.
This angle shows the lifting finish better.
Video showing the stripper ready to be removed after about an hour. I use a 2" metal putty knife to remove it and discard in a large recycled container like a coffee tin then discard in the proper disposal area when full.
Above left, you can see what the top looks like just after scraping and right, the top after it was neutralized with water and a scrub brush to remove any finish remaining. The bases were cleaned at the same time then all dried well.
Neutralizing the top video
Using my Festool orbital sander and 120 grit 3M cubitron sand paper, the top was carefully sanded. You can see the right side is almost complete and left is yet to go. Keep the sander level and use light pressure, veneer can easily be sanded thru if not cautious.
Flat surfaces are easy with an orbital sander but detailed edges require different tools and take much longer doing by hand.
To sand the narrow flat edges this Sander card is a MUST HAVE!! It makes the takes fast, east and leaves a crisp smooth edge. It is so handy on many tight areas you need a firm flat piece of sand paper.
Get it, you won't regret it!
The Sander card in action, disregard the first slip, it is hard to video and do this action at the same time :)
Using a microfiber cloth the tops were wiped clean of all sanding dust. A damp pass with the microcloth reveals the natural color of the wood when clear stained.
This video I share how I fixed the base with areas that just needed a wee touch up.
To stain the top I chose my favorite Fusion stain finishing oil. To match the base I chose the colors walnut and cappuccino. Both are my favorite colors.
The first coat applied was cappuccino stain finishing oil but it needed more red tones so a walnut coat went all while the first was wet to blend together.
Blending color video
The next day a walnut stain finishing oil was applied after a light fine grit sanding pad and microcloth wipe. The light sand keeps the surface smooth and adds a bit of "tooth" for the next layer to adhere to.
As well after I actively was staining the tops I did use the damp shop towel to touch up areas on the base as well.
Tops after 3 dry coats
5 coats were applied in total but you can do as many as you want to get the shade and sheen you want. More coats make it shinier too.
I love the one wood grain top that looks like big hearts - it is not the Valentines date stamped one though oddly enough. But that one does have small heart pattern in the grain.
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Nicely done. Ready to enhance any living space for many years to come.
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