Help with Antique Unfinished wood care?

Hi everybody,
I have recently aquired an old solid oak table, which is unfinished
(and has been for some time). The wood has grayed and there are a few
stains. Does anyone know whether this piece is worthless or damaged

Andy Dingley...

It should clean up pretty well. Oak tables are pretty robust.

Find a copy of Bob Flexner's woodfinishing book, as the best starter
guide.

Oak cleans up best with an oxalic acid wood bleach, which will address
the typical "iron stain" problems oak is prone too. It may also help
with the greying. You can find this easily as "patio deck cleaner"
(check the hazard warnings) which is usually oxalic acid and detergent.
Other bleaches are useful for other sorts of stain, but not here.

As it's oak I'm assuming it's of low "antique" value, unveneered and
probably quite substantial without fine decoration. This means that
aggressive techniques are OK - quicker and easier than having to be
careful.

You can sand the surface. A small cheap (Ryobi) 1/4 sheet sander is the
tool of choice here for maybe 40 grit, then 80, 160 and 240/300 grit.
Used carefully you shouldn't see swirl marks left behind, unless you
skip grits too quickly. Also use a cork block to hand sand where
needed. Don't sand with bare sandpaper in your hand, you'll round the
edges.

You _might_ want to apply a stain, although I'd avoid it as much as
possible. Unless it has been used outdoors, then I wouldn't expect too
much greying to be left after you've cleaned the surface. Wet it first
with white spirit to give an idea of the finished colour

If it's decent oak, then some of it might be quarter sawn to show the
ray flake figure. Staining tends to hide this and it's a nice feature.

Finish with a couple of coats of oil to start with. Use a commercial oil
mix, such as Liberon's, which is a mix of tung oil, thinners and driers.
Don't use linseed (it yellows). Work on a warm day, or apply some indoor
heating. I can work oil now (April), but a couple of months ago it was
troublesome for me, unless I could bring the piece inside the house.

Two or three coats of oil, one a day, should highlight the timber
nicely. Then leave for a week to cure properly.

Over the oil you need some other sort of finish. This is always a hard
call for tables, because the best looking finishes aren't the most herd
wearing. I'd suggest a _good_ gel polyurethane, applied in no more than
two thin coats. This seals well, lasts well, and doesn't look too bad.
Here in the UK I use "Patina" (made by Langlow, from Screwfix)

While you're about it, also fix up any damaged hinges, catches, or
corduroy patches underneath pull-out leaves.

beyond repair? Is there anything I can do to fix it? Any suggestions

Andy Dingley...

Only you, because only you can see it. It's probably a useful table,
with a week or so's occasional evenings spent on it. You'll get a useful
table at the end, for less than you'd spend at Ikea.

are very much appreciated. Thanks, Toby