Dining table make over.... will it work?

[Mar15mite]

So I’ve a very lovely solid oak (pretty much unfinished) dining table (first and second pics) but it’s going to be too light to go with the new floor that’s going in, in 2 weeks......

Do you think I can give it a paint/ stain make over like the third pic and make it look ok? And if so how.....

I’m keeping the chairs as they are

Briwax Jacobean will give a dark finish.

Wax it.

You'd probably need to give the top a thorough sanding first but yes, wax or stain would do the job. You say it's mostly unfinished but there might be grease or something that stops the colour being even.

How hard wearing will wax be?

Will it get ring marks from mugs etc?

I am contemplating similar, although mine is not as nice as yours! I believe that the route I will take is using a chemical stripper, then lightly sand, then re-wax. You can definitely build up to a darker colour using tinted waxes, although I haven't gone that far in my research yet! If you stain the wood, it does leave a thin layer over the top, not sure if this would scratch over time? All these questions are what is putting me off starting to be honest! The table and chairs was my grandmothers, so while it's completely worthless, I don't want to butcher it as it has sentimental value and I'd never paint it so it has to be right (or at least better than it is now!)

I did sand all the lacquer off an oak cabinet but it took ages, the finish was lovely though. This rustins one has been recommended to me. I also have used rustins varnish remover to restore a g-plan unit, and it's very easy to use, just paint it on and then scrape with a blunt tool.

www.ebay.co.uk/p/wax-polish-remover-125ml-rustins/1323773386?_trksid=p2047675.l2644

With regards to the water marks, you might need to correct the colour before you wax as they will be quite visible on the surface of a table if the colour is different. I have used coconut oil on pieces before, which helps, but there are specialist products you can buy.

Do you have any independent hardware stores in your town op? We have a very good local one and the staff in there are often very knowledgeable.

I do have a good shop locally, I’ll go in there and see what they say, I have major fear about ruining it and never forgiving myself!

Thanks for all the tips!

I think that's my worry too. My table isn't really worth anything, but to replace it with similar would cost 100's so I'm wary of doing anything too drastic. A table top is quite unforgiving as well isn't it, no little corners to test out colours or chemicals!

It will be fine. we did our bog standard oak ikea kitchen table which no longer went with the walnut floor and worktops in the kitchen.

We painted the legs white and stained the top with a couple of coats of dark brown stain with a built in varnish. It took about two hours. Four years on there are a couple of very small slightly peely bits on the edge where DS2 picks it but nothing a slight rub with wire wool and a re-stain wouldn't cure.

I’m going to do it! I shall report back!

Placemarking for the update as I'm thinking of doing something similar

Good luck Mar15mite!

You could try testing underneath.

we tried three or four stains underneath before we found the right one.

First update.... so I haven’t done anything yet but I’ve decided to ask the decorators (who are in as part of the renovations that the new floor is the last part of) if they will paint the legs of the table. Then once the new floor is down decide what colour (but maybe no change) the top should be. I’m pretty sure they will and it will save me loads of hassle!

I did it! I love it!

So glad I had the courage

Have decided to leave the top oak to match the big window sill in the kitchen which is behind me in the pic oops

Looks lovely op

Can I have your new house please OP?

Oh love the table too. :D

I want to live at your place! Love great, well done for being brave!

Looks like a stunning room with amazing proportions! And the table looks fab too :)

Thanks everyone

We have been stop start at renovations for almost 2 years. Upstairs bathroom should be the end of it for a while and that’ll be finished next week!

However I’m debating seat cushions...... thoughts?

I’m not having curtains so there are no soft furnishings and it’s a tad echoey

Graham and green do some nice velvet seat cushions I have the raspberry ones in my dining room (1920s house with bay windows, walls in F&B Teresa's green)