Refurbishing a Teak Table Top

[derekbell]

I have a 1960 Teak Table, thick veneer with lots of water and other stains and light surface scratches, how best to refurbish this please?

 

[Symptoms]

Derek - don't be too sure that the veneer is 'thick' especially if it's a 60's GPlan. Anyway, if you're confident about a decent thickness use a belt-sander over the whole thing 'till you've got a uniformly clean surface, then hand-sanding with reducing grit grades or use a cabinet scraper.

 

[JohnD]

or maybe, after the belt sanding, you will have a nice smooth chipboard table.

Have you considered wire wool?

 

[Symptoms]

Like I said - mechanical method if plenty of thickness or hand method with a cabinet scraper if the veneer is thin. A correctly prepared scraper edge & burr will remove a whisker-thin shaving and, if used properly, will produce a fine surface ready for finishing; work along the grain.

 

[derekbell]

Thanks, it does look pretty thick as there a some deep scratches which have not reached the chipboard or whatever. However what then, after I have sanded it sown and fine steel wool smoothed it etc.?

 

[Symptoms]

OK Derek, once you get it back to an acceptable surface finish you have to decide what the table's function will be. Is going to take a 'hammering' from the family, spilt drinks, hot pans, etc.? if so, then you'll need to think about using a 'hard' durable finish (lots available, eg. polyurethane being one). If the table is only going to be looked at and with occasional sympathetic use, then think in terms of a 'softer' finish (again a good choice, eg. French polishing through to a wax finish).

I've a soft spot for wax finishes. Apply a stain if necessary, not just used to radically alter wood colour but, with the right tint, used to create a consistent colour across a wide area. Then seal the surface, we like to use cellulose lacquer (sanding sealer), this has the effect of 'locking' the timber grain (it also dries v. quickly). Apply the wax (soft polishing wax) with fine steel wool, buff with rag between coats 'till you're satisfied with the result. Maintenance - occasional wax. Tip: when applying cellulose lacquer, dilute, say 50/50, with cellulose thinners and apply (rub-in) with a lint-free rag; you'll get a better finish than using a brush.

The choice of finish will always be based on personal prefs., I'm sure that there'll be other views expressed.