Re: Need some Advice Please.

Well if it is solid wood and you find some dinks in it, just leave them and polish over, it adds to the charm.

Re: Need some Advice Please.

Whatever you do, if the table is very old or very valuable or precious, don't do anything without professional advice. It's very easy to damage the existing patina, which is built up over many years and is something you want to add to, not destroy.....

If in doubt then leave it be!

Re: Need some Advice Please.

The table in the picture looks like the outer edges are walnut not sure about the middle bit my first husband was a carpenter/cabinet maker and we used to use a product called antiwax it is specially formulated for old wood it cleans off built up wax and then you can repolish it another way of cleaning off dirt and any build up of wax is a mixture of vinegar and water but if the table is the same as the one in the picture I would be tempted to have it proffesionally restored as it is beautiful...Sue

Re: Need some Advice Please.

Cold tea will remove any old polish off furniture so I'm told. Good luck it will look lovely when it's got it's shine back.

Re: Need some Advice Please.

The outer rim looks like walnut to me as well but, as has been said, the table in the picture looks like it's been french-polished, hence the gleam from the wood.

If it is plain wood, be it oak, teak, pine whatever, it isn't really meant to shine but should look natural.

I have an oak sideboard in my hall and all I do with that is wipe it down with a damp cloth, then use furniture polish on it. Natural wood looks much nice left to look natural.

However, if it is badly stained I would also use vinegar and water to clean it up.

Re: Need some Advice Please.

i would not have any idea how to restore the table, but if its like the one in your picture it is very beautiful.

Please post to let us know how you get on

Re: Need some Advice Please.

Raven, if you could take a photo of your table and put it on here, I'll send it to a young friend of mine who has recently finished University and is brilliant at restoring old furniture.

She'll definitely be able to give her best advice.

Re: Need some Advice Please.

Couldn't get a proper pic of the whole table but a close up of one end lets you see the dullness.



This is the stuff I used yesterday and when it dried in I used a beeswax polish and a load of elbow grease.

Re: Need some Advice Please.

I see what you mean. You may need a lot more beeswax and build up the layers, but I'll email the photo to my friend and see what she thinks.

Re: Need some Advice Please.

Thankyou Mollie I'd be so gratefull....It's a beautiful old table and I love it. I just can't believe the condition it was in, you should have seen it a few weeks ago the top was almost grey.