How to Redo an Oak Pedestal Table

The distinctive hourglass shape of the pedestal table makes it sturdy and resilient for decades, but over time the surface itself will suffer from scratches, fading and other signs of wear and tear. For an oak table, redoing the piece to restore it to its naturally beautiful look involves stripping away old finish and applying a clean, new coat that will bring out the stylish appearance of the table. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Move the pedestal table to a ventilated work area, or ventilate the room in which you will work by opening windows and doors and running exhaust fans. The chemicals involved in removing old finish can easily overpower an area.

2

Don rubber gloves, a dust mask or respirator and a long-sleeved shirt when dealing with chemical paint strippers. This material can seriously harm sensitive areas of your body if you are not careful.

3

Coat a small section of the table with a paint stripper that contains methylene chloride. This strong chemical will break the bond between the old finish and the oak below. Allow the stripper to work on the surface for about five minutes.

4

Scrape off loosened paint with the flat edge of a razor scraper or putty knife. Be sure to use only the flat edge of the scraper or knife, so that the sharp edges don't gouge the wood.

5

Work in small sections across the top, middle and base of the table, until you have stripped and scraped away all old finish. For small stubborn spots, sand with steel wool to remove leftover paint.

6

Wipe down the entire table with a rag dampened in mineral spirits to remove any residual stripper from the surface. Allow the surface to air dry for at least 24 to 48 hours.

7

Sand the entire oak surface with 120-grit sandpaper. Always sand in the direction of the grain of the wood. For small crevices or designs in the wood, wrap the sandpaper around a pencil or pen.

8

Repeat sanding the surface with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface out for a flatter finish. When you have finished sanding, wipe away all sanding residue with a tack cloth to avoid the sanding dust getting stuck in the new finish.

9

Coat the wood surface in a paste grain filler, which will even out the grain to avoid uneven absorption of the finish. If you want to draw attention to the grain, use a color that stands out against the natural oak; otherwise, find one that matches the oak surface closely.

10

Apply the grain filler with a stiff-bristle paintbrush to the entire oak surface. Allow it to dry per specific product instructions, then scrape away any excess filler from the surface with a plastic scraper.

11

Lightly sand the surface once more with 220-grit sandpaper to ensure the grain filler is completely flat on the surface. Wipe away sanding dust with a tack cloth.

12

Stain the oak surface with an oil-based stain, wiping it onto the table with a lint-free cloth. Allow the stain to sit on the surface for about five minutes, then wipe away excess stain with a clean cloth. The longer you let it sit, the darker the final color of the stained oak.

13

Repeat applying the stain to the entire surface, applying a second coat if necessary to get a dark enough finish. Once the final coat is applied, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.

14

Finish the oak table with a thin coat of tung oil or finishing oil, which will enhance the natural look of the oak. Spread the oil the same way you did the stain, allowing it to soak in for five minutes before wiping away excess. Allow the oil to dry overnight before using the table.