Resurfacing an old table

[Vesuvian]

Hi all

I'm extremely new to working with wood. All of my projects so far have been in either plywood or MDF.

My wife has this ancient table (~80 years old) that has been stored in basements, used and abused. The surface is covered in chips and it's darkened significantly from moisture. I've taken it upon myself to clean it up.

So, I've started out by sanding the surface, with the intention of staining and varnishing when finished. However, I've just realized that I think the wood is coated in something like plaster?

Does anyone know what this coating is? Should I completely remove it? Should I replace it? Can I stain it?

Any advice here would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Hi Vesuvian, The white powder is almost certainly gesso, which is made from whiting ( chalk ) and rabbit skin glue and can easily be removed with hot water and a stiff brush. The question is however, why is it there? This is normally a preparation for gilding or some other decorative finish. I suspect, the wood underneath the gesso will not be of a very good quality, it looks as though the table has been gessoed then a wood effect ( faux boise ) has been applied over the top.
I would get some hot water and a rag or fine wire wool and scrub a small area to see it it comes off easily. If not it may be something other than gesso in which case you will have a lot of sanding to do.

 

[blackrodd]

Here's a link from u tube on creating woodgrain with paint, There's loads more
Regards Rodders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0qO2pLWkho

 

[Vesuvian]

Mrpercysnodgrass thanks for the advice! The gesso isn't coming off without sanding, so I've found a power sander to help.

Blackrodd thanks for the video, already giving me some ideas on where to go with this table.

 

[kfenelon]

Gesso is used by artists to seal canvas I use it to seal the end of cut MDF before a finish is added I have seen this before and it was Gesso in the end I decided the project was far to much work to justify my time went to a local auction and purchased similar item with normal finish on it by normal it was French polished.