My wife went thrifting a month ago, found this table for $20 and said “it’s so cute! You can just refinish it, and we’ll replace our old one”. I’ve never refinished a anything. Ever.

Apr 6, 2020 6:36 PM

TheShapeLurks

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I did a little research and this was a great learning experience. It was also a lot of fixing work, especially getting the paint off the spindles.

As recommended, I put some danish oil on it. I’ll do another coat tomorrow. It’s not perfect, but I’ll probably try to do some more projects like this in the future.

*Edit: For those asking about this being a repost/stolen: I had to take my original post down as the Goodwill tag clearly displayed my phone number.

I notice the baby can hang around down there while you're sanding.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Awesome!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

When I first looked at it I thought it was a surf board.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thought it was a bathtub full of green stuff at first lol. Looks good op

6 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 2

I thought it was a green surf board. Then I wondered if those should be refinished ??

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That’s freaking adorable ! Great job!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

At first I thought the Goodwill tag was a hole in the table.

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Buddy, you did a cracking job.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

This was posted before but I can't see it in your history, what happened?

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Tip for next time. Get a can of brush on airplane stripper. The paint will pretty much fall off, then you can sand and finish.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Oh good to know! The stripper I used worked well, but I still had to do a lot of nylon brushing.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Airplane stripper is no joke. I used it to strip paint from my motorcycle tank. What didn't wipe off came off with a plastic putty knife.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Looks way better than before. I mean obviously but also the color

6 years ago | Likes 43 Dislikes 1

I really loved that green! A half Resto would have looked nice. But nothing like a bare wood finish. Well done!

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Thanks!

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

The 70s were wild, everything was baby shit green and malaria orange.

6 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

My room was purple!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Plum crazy purple!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I wanted it the colour of Grimace!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Now bring out the ramen

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You did a good job. But honestly, SHE brought it home so SHE should refinish it.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm Danish and don't know what danish oil is

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Looks great! Well done!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Put the finished product pic first.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I remind my wife that I’m not a “fixer-upper” so when we buy a house, it’s going to either be finished completely, or she’s doing the work.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Didn't you post this earlier? Or is this a repost?

6 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

I did! But I had to take it down because one of the photos clearly displayed my wife’s phone number

6 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

thanks for admitting this. I thought I was nuts because, while familiar, this didn't seem like a post that would usually get reposted.

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

?1

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Looks awesome, that beautiful wood grain was hidden under that ugly paint.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

More sanding than a cedar strip canoe, i tell ya wut... YOU DID A GREAT JOB of it, too. Be PROUD.

6 years ago | Likes 455 Dislikes 1

Yeah he did. It’s beautiful.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thanks!

6 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 0

Did you use paint stripper?

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Yes

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

You Can do anything if you set your mind to it. Came out beautiful

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

@op do yourself a favor and buy a carbide scraper for your next project. You're welcome.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That is cute!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Awsome job OP

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You're probably gunna want to put polyurethane on it to seal it if you plan on ever having drinks or whatever on it

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Get some fun coasters! Don't put that poly garbage on it. Leave the natural wood.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I wasn’t sure about that. So maybe add another coat of danish oil, then polyurethane? Sand in between? Any specific polyurethane?

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The poly bottle should have directions, I don't have one on hand to check them. But yeah, Danish oil until you're happy with the color.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Just linseed oil should do the trick. Enough of it and you've got a table to can easily wipe clean.

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

@OP, if you're going to do a lot of finishing I recommend the book 'understanding wood finishing' by Bob Flexner. Tons of good info

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You don’t need to use polyurethane(if you have something against it)There’s other options but they require a higher level of maintenance.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Gotcha. I’m thinking just two coats of danish oil, and be done.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Check the danish oil instructions, I believe it specifies not to sand between coats. Then just get any good ole toxic urethane and seal.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It reads: reapply allowing 15 min penetration. Wipe surface. If polyurethane is desired allow oil to dry 72 hours before applying.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

yep, I would not sand it with the oil then.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I may just put a second coat of danish on and call it a day then.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Put some varathane on top to thicken the protective coat and then scratches can be buffed out without removing much wood the second time.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

stain that bad boy

6 years ago | Likes 137 Dislikes 5

I think I’m going to just use the danish oil. Plus I already put the danish on, so Wouldn’t i have to sand it all down and stain it?

6 years ago | Likes 39 Dislikes 0

I agree with just danish oil, formby’s toung oil. Leave the natural color. Congrats on the solid oak table!

6 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 0

You could have used a paint stripper and wiped it off

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I mean.. great job

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I did use stripper for a lot of the table. The top was done mostly with 40 grit sandpaper.

6 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Don't stain timber....

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

How did you get all the paint off the spindles?! I’m refinishing a door with beveled panels and I’m dying slowly.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It sucks. I kept putting stripper on and using a nylon brush to brush it off.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks! That’s actually a great idea! I had paint stripper but it so dang difficult!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Also, you did a bang up job! It’s beautiful!

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Live with it a while and see how you like it. At some point you might consider clear coating it, if you want to keep the wood grain.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I agree. Just did that to my coffee table. Sanded the stain away and matte cleared it.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

If you really like the grain, you could always just seal over it...

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's what I did.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It’s amazing what you can do to a $20 table with $100 of materials, $300 of tools and $500 in labour

6 years ago | Likes 293 Dislikes 3

You pkay animal crossing too?!

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's kinda like owning a sailboat. You do it because it's fun.

6 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

If I already own the tools and am bored I got a really nice $120 table.

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

And he could have saved $20 if he had just refinished his old table in star if buying a new old table.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Now sell it for $40 and say you doubled your money

6 years ago | Likes 75 Dislikes 1

This hits close to home. Except for me it’s usually do it yourself, fuck it up and then call someone in to do it right.

6 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 0

I fit an upgraded radio and speakers to my civic, cost me a $1000 to have it fit properly and repair what I broke lol

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That last picture.. what is that a table for ants?!??

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ha, yeah I thought from first pictures that it was a dining table, but instead it's a coffee table.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As a dane: What is danish oil and how is it made?? *Slight concern*

6 years ago | Likes 494 Dislikes 1

As a fellow Viking, and woodworking enthusiast, I think of my Danish brothers when I apply that type of varnish.

6 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

you start with a very large meat grinder

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Google "tung oil"

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Your nickname perfectly describes every danish person i have ever met.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Asking the right questions...

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

So you know how we get baby oil? Yeah it’s kinda like that but with the Danish.

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Don't tell anyone but it's made of svenskers man finder paa nyhavn.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You don’t want to know, it has something to do with soylent green.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Don’t worry only from sinister people who have sex , you’re safe .

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You rub a pastry on it.

6 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

thought you said 'pastie' for a moment... strange images dance thru my mind.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You guys probably just call it "oil".

6 years ago | Likes 95 Dislikes 1

It's an alien cliff, you can just say spider. ?

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Best reply of the day. I’m crying.

6 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Like Canadians with their bacon which they call lovingly ham

6 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

*gasp* I never realized Canadian bacon came from Canadians!

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

You...you weren’t supposed to see this

6 years ago | Likes 405 Dislikes 0

Quick, take them to the oil factory! They must be silenced.

6 years ago | Likes 67 Dislikes 0

"Thank you for attending the tour. If you would please just step into this vat--i mean... viewing tunnel... then we can get started!"

6 years ago | Likes 30 Dislikes 0

It’s made from freshly squozen Danes, same as Baby Oil.

6 years ago | Likes 197 Dislikes 0

With or without pulp?

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Squozen is my new favorite word

6 years ago | Likes 60 Dislikes 0

....Squozen is a real word. Fuck off.

6 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

Except with babies you grind what's left for baby powder.

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Squozen ?

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This also has disturbing implications for beard oil.

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Really? *Patting beard with a paper towel like a greasy piece of pizza*

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It's much nicer than Italian oil. That is cheaper because it requires less raw material.

6 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Lol goddamn I'm going to hell for laughing at that.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

See ya there. I'll introduce you to all my friends.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Well, olive oil is made out of olives, whale oil is made out of whales, so...?

6 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

You use it to fry swedish meatballs

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Lol... Oil from the breakfast pastries. Not sure what flavor he used though.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's a super interesting process. Come stand over here and take a close look at this giant vat. Just lean right over the side.

6 years ago | Likes 45 Dislikes 0

Well, a Danish is a type of pastry with fruit filling. Danish oil is the grease off the oven tray they're baked on.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

It's something coming out of Great Danes.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0