Refinish table top

[kevinlightfoot]

Can anyone recommend a simple brush on dark mahogany finish that I can use to refinish a coffee table top.I have been asked to do this so that the table can display a bonsai tree.I really want to just flat off the original finish and apply a stain and then varnish to a sort of conker colour.Not the kind of thing I normally get involved with but I told the chap I would ask for advice any help would be appreciated.

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

I don't think you will be able to brush on a dark finish without getting it streaky. The colour needs to be achieved in the stain, so if you have a pre existing finish this will be difficult without taking the finish right back to the wood. Do you know what finish is on the table?

 

[ED65]

Kevin, given it's just a coffee table (so presumably of fairly modest dimensions) scraping off the existing finish should be doable in a reasonable amount of time and once you're down to bare wood you have more options as far as colouring goes.

If you must use a coloured varnish, liquid or gel, then many thin coats is the way to get a streak-free finish by brush or by wiping. It might take you three or four days to build to the colour you want depending on how warm your workshop is.

 

[kevinlightfoot]

Thanks for the advice,I don't know what finish is on the table it looks like varnish but could be anything ,it looks like I may be getting myself in a mess by taking it on so I think I will pass on the job.If it were my table I would probably have a go but if I mess it up I don't think I would be too popular.

 

[ED65]

I don't know what finish is on the table it looks like varnish but could be anything

99.9% chance it's lacquer or varnish. You can do specific tests to determine which you're dealing with if you ever need to for a future project.