Refinishing a dining table and chairs

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21st November 2009

In early 2008 I purchased a nice old dining set comprising of an extending dining table and 4 chairs. I'm not so sure thatthe table and chairs are part of the same set but for £50 it was indeed a bargain. The chairs are solid oak and the table is veneered oak.

As the pictures below show the finish on the chairs was originally quite a rough stain and varnish job in a mahogany colour. What I want to do is to sand the finish off completely, then finish with tung oil which will hopefully give a nicer natural appearance.

Unlike most of the other projects I have been doing this has no time limit nor is it urgent as we do not use this dining set and therefore it is something to fit inbetween other jobs. It may tank a year or more. Doesn't really matter.

In the first picture you can see a chair with the original mahogany finish and a chair that I have already stripped. Before I sanded this chair down there were loads of sand 'swirls' on it. I think a previous 'renovator' had used a circular sanding disc on them. However after I had sanded this one the swirls are no longer there. It looks pretty good however the mahogany stain has given the Oak a darker hue. It does look quite pleasant but is darker than I would've expected it to be originally.

The upholstery on these seats will be replaced as they are not to my style and also pretty dirty. I am considering dark red leather although I may decide otherwise later. That will be the final step anyway so plenty of time to think about that.

Once I have done all the chairs I shall move onto the table. The frame/support of the table just needs sanding like the chairs however the table top and extending leaves all have dents, chips and the same sanding disc swirls on them so I will reveneer just the top of these. That will be a toughy as it will probably mean bookmatching 4 pieces for the main table top.
























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