Table Top Re-Do Part 2

Ok, on my previous post we left off with me removing the last of the stripped paint.  I'll continue with the next steps I took refinishing my table top.

After I stripped off the paint I sprayed more Bix stripper on the top the help remove any old varnish or finish under the old paint.  I let it sit on the top for at least 20-30 minutes.  It will not show to bubble up like the paint did.

Click on photo to get a closer look at the top with stripper after 15 minutes.

I used a VERY stiff brush to do swirling motions on the top to help remove any paint that may be embedded down in the grain of the oak top.

You can click on this photo to see a closer view of how I swirled with the brush.

Ok, time to get out the steel wool.  After I let the stripper sit for at least 20 minutes I start 'scrubbing' the top back and forth With the Grain.  As I 'scrub'/rub', the stripper will gradually start to disappear/evaporate and crumbs of old varnish will begin to appear.

 Click on photo to get a closer look at the old varnish trash/crumbs I mentioned above.  Just brush those away with a paper towel.

I then use a light grade/fine sandpaper to help smooth out any left over garnish pieces and just give it an overall smooth finish.  Always sanding WITH THE GRAIN of the wood. If your sandpaper seems to get 'Gummed Up' fairly easy that means there is still some varnish that has not been removed.  You might want to repeat the above steps to finish any varnish removal if your sandpaper is gummed up pretty bad.

After sanding,  I wipe good with a paper towel to remove any sandpaper/varnish residue.  I have a small vacuum with a brush attachment I used and just vacuumed away any sandpaper particles.  

Now is the time I added the wax.  This is my first time using wax.  I just followed the directions on the container.

  

I have always used Tung oil on all of my other pieces, but I hear a lot about the paste wax and wanted to try it.  I must say, I think the wax was a lot more trouble and TONS of ELBOW GREASE

was needed.  You must wait 24 hours to re-apply a second coat, which I did, I applied a second coat.

But as you can see, all is well and the wax I used turned out pretty good.  Just look at that nice shiny finish.  I must say I prefer/like Primitive antique pieces and this table top is a little more pristine than I wanted but I'm happy, it looks really nice in person!

Here is the buffet that goes with my table.  I bought them separate but painted them to go together.   I know I will strip the black top and make it match the table top, BUT, I can't decide if I want to paint over the WHOLE bottom beneath the top........I guess that will remain to be seen what I decide in a future post.

I DO KNOW something has to happen to this piece.  I am really tired of the black pieces in my room!  I will probable paint it!

What do you think about this piece????  I inherited it from my MUNNER.  I had ALWAYS loved it, but when she died everyone else began to say how much they DIDN'T like it and NEVER did.  I was like "WHAT".....I LOVE IT.   So, since I worked her whole Estate Sale for the inheritors they let me have this as part of my pay! ( well, actually, it was my ONLY pay for 6 weeks of work getting the sale ready!)   I didn't really mind, it was my Grandmother's estate sale and they knew I was the only one who could help them get the best and fairest prices and deem what was valuable and what was not, what to keep and what to sale.  I did get a few other things I hold Very dear.

Soooooo, I'm thinking I will paint this piece.......GASP!  I know some of you are choking on that comment.   No need to fuss at me too hard, after all, if I don't like it......there is ALWAYS my wonderful BIX stripper!!!

I hope this was helpful.  Feel free to ask me ANY questions NOW or in the FUTURE about any RE-DO project you may have.  I will be happy to help you!

You must always remain safe and free of any splatters of the stripper, so, ALWAYS follow safety instructions provided on the back of every BIX/stripper container!  Safety glasses and gloves for your hands would be highly recommended.

Table Top Re-do Part 1

When I told Julie over at Joe Tulips blog I spent the weekend outside working on giving my dining table top a new look she wanted to know if I was going to blog about it.  I first told her no because I'd already done the top, but there were the leaves to the table I forgot about, so, I can show you how I did them this morning.

Here is how it looked this morning after stripping the paint off yesterday.

As you can see, the top was black.  Underneath that was white.

Here are my basic tools for stripping my furniture pieces.  Believe me, being a previous antique shop owner and general all round junk hunter I have done my share of re-doing.  I have tried every stripper product out there and think this BIX brand is THE easiest and BEST there is.  Easy 'cause you pour in a sprayer bottle and spray it on.  Oh so fast and quick!

Aaaaahhh, look at my poor putty knife, it's just about on it's last leg. That putty knife and me have spent many an hour together.

Ok, here we are, just gotta wait a little bit.  No need to be impatient, it's not going to take that long for the BIX to do ALLLLL the work for you!

This is after only 5 minutes!

LOOK, in less than 30 minutes this table top is on it's way to being finished.  Two coats of enamel paint stripped off lickety split.

Those 2 coats of paint are now in a nice neat pile to easily scoop up with a paper towel and discard.  This pile of paint scrapings is dry to the touch.  No messy gooey gunk to scrape and rub off.  That's why I LOVE my BIX stripper!!!

Ok, this is as far as I have gotten with it today.  I'm off to see if I can get it finished.  More on my outdoor project in my next post.  

Bix is sold at most Lowe's, Home Depot and Ace hardware stores.