Coytee Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Wife inherited an old swing leg table from her father. Table is dull as dullsville. She'd like to "pretty it up" but, can't yet articulate exactly what that means. I've asked if she wants a glossy finish, satin.... Table seems to be mostly solid but I saw some telltale signs that the top might have a veneer on it. She's thinking on buying some stain and putting some on it. She says it's got some mildew on it. The table will be used in the (finished) basement so her niece (in a wheelchair) can roll up to it and the leaf can be pulled out. The leaf can then be put back when she's gone. Seems to work like a charm. So in my opinion, one criteria would be some form of moisture protection for it since we can't guarantee everyone will use a coaster (even though she's had several of them strategically placed on it) Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 If it is truly an antique don't refinish it as it will diminish the value by about 80%. The antique people love that crappy, dull, scratched, scraped, warped, cracked finish. Otherwise sand it with 220, seal and stain it and apply finish. You can apply about 12 coats of finish with sanding in between with 400 grit to get a glass look. You can buff out the final coats with a buffing wheel and ordinary liquid car polish. There are about a zillion different methods that are possible and you will get all of them on this thread. Remember also that staining is an art in itself so beware of too many lights and darks that don't look right. If it doesn't look right you will have to sand it all off and do it again. You can spend the rest of your life on this job. It's a lot easier to send it out to a pro and have him do it. JJK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 "She'd like to "pretty it up" but, can't yet articulate exactly what that means" Well that is your problem, not the table. Perhaps you're not listening? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 "She'd like to "pretty it up" but, can't yet articulate exactly what that means" Well that is your problem, not the table. Perhaps you're not listening? Always to the point, aren't you! I did however, find out that it's not sentimental to her. Turns out her father bought/stole it from an ex-girlfriend of his that didn't get along too well with the daughters in the family. So it's just a table. She's going to stain it and urethane it (as I currently understand) She's already sanded it a bit. Seems she's ok if it doesn't turn out perfect. She's also not too concerned with any antique value. Her real interest seems to simply be it's functionality for use when her niece (in wheelchair) is visiting as the table allows to be minimized when not in use. She's setting it on the back side of the room in between the two (buried in wall) LaScalas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Richard let me get a picture to you if my limited computer skills will allow. I think I have an identical table and it's mahogany, and quite desirable to collectors.Does it have a drawer? Try not to screw it up in the meantime. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Double gate leg, 26 inches long 11 inches wide and 21.5 inches tall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 I'll have to measure but, I think it has TWO drawers....one on each end off to find tape... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Well it could be a copy of the classic. I just hate to see antique value destroyed unnecessarily. The one I have (inherited) has one long drawer, and its not veneer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 It's not like it would be a retirement plan or anything but it could be an authentic early American piece worth a few thou.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 With the wings pulled out, the table top is around 40"x53" standing 30 1/2" tall The center section with both wings dropped down is about 13" wide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 Well, that's (a tad more than) interesting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 She's also not too concerned with any antique value. Bite my tongue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Eyeballing, and going by your measurements, they are not the same, but similar enough to get a knowledgeable opinion. The bevel top is different for one thing. A lot of furniture was custom back then it doesn't have to mean anything. So check it out, you never know. It is an awesome functional design no doubt about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 It's just so weird to stumble on this thread because I rarely see furniture like that anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 The feet/legs on it are loose. You can tell they have some time/wear on them. I'll be telling her about your comments, it will be interesting to see what she does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longdrive03 Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Coytee, I too have a drop leg table very similar to yours. Mine is mahogany veneered still in good shape and on the list of things to do some day. Mine has two leaves that can be inserted and can get pretty long. If you decide to just get it in working condition one easy method is to use Minwax wipe on poly (satin or gloss). I use this on my speaker projects most of the time. Hard to screw it up. Get your ole Harbor Freight terry cloth pads to apply it. Sand with 220 and remove dust with tack cloth then apply thin coats sanding with 400 grit in between, remove dust repeat. You can use the gloss version for first few coats if you like then switch to satin to tone down the shine. No brush marks, durable finish, quick to do except for letting it dry about 4 hours depending on humidity between coats. Good luck with the project and post pics of the finished project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 We have one of those as well, but the two wings are almost half circles. It may be at my daughter's house... Hmmmm.... Ours was painted black. I have seen them redone entirelly in black for the bottom with the top stained. They look really nice that way. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cradeldorf Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 We used that finish restorer on an old blackened piano once, it turned out to be a beautiful cherry looking finish. just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angusruler Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 if she is not set on the final finish, work on the underside till she acheives what she wants. then do the same to the top. also, sanding by hand, instead of sander, should stop her from accidentally burning thru veneer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 If refinishing does not turn out well, it can always be repurposed as kindling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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