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How to restore vintage Parker dining table?

Hi guys, I scored this AMAZING original parker dining table, she's had the same owners since the 1960's, but she's well worn. The varnish really needs to be completely removed, a good sand, and polished back up again. It appears better in photos than what it is 😕 and yes I will be recovering the seats so they don't look like nana's curtains haha.
I am looking for the best products/advice to undertake this project? Send help - intermediate renovator 🙂

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @muirmade. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring Parker furniture.

Before jumping into the restoration, how bad is the surface? If you can share some close-up photos of the wear and damage, that would help with advice on the best approach.

One thing to keep in mind is that while you can certainly strip the old varnish and refinish the table, it won’t be exactly the same as the original Parker finish. A big part of the value of Parker furniture comes not just from the design but also from its factory-applied coating. Removing that and applying a new finish will likely diminish most of its collectible value.

That said, if you're not planning to sell it and are happy with achieving a similar look, you can sand it back to bare timber, stain it to match the original tone, and apply a clear polyurethane finish.

Here's a helpful guide: How to restore timber furniture. You might also like to read through How to choose the right sandpaper for the job.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

muirmade

Hey thank you so much for this - definitely NOT planning to sell it, we are using it in our home. I will get some close up pics when I get back home 🙂

muirmade

Here's some images if that helps a little more 🙂

JacobZ

Hi @muirmade,

Thank you for the additional photos.

As @MitchellMc has said, much of the charm comes from the original finish and if it can be maintained, we should certainly try.

The damage you've shown doesn't look too bad, so you might like to give a surface restoration product before deciding on a more involved restoration.

Give this Feast Watson 250ml Surface Restore a try. Make sure the surface is perfectly clean and then apply the Surface Restore with a microfibre cloth.

You may find that this restores the surface enough without a more invasive repair.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

muirmade

Thanks so much for your help!

muirmade

@MitchellMc @JacobZ we used the Feast Watson floor cleaner (as directed under the Feast Waston Furniture Restore directions on Bunnings Website) and it's literally taken it right back... I tried on one chair before attacking all of them - giving the restore a go shortly

MitchellMc

I can't wait to see your results, @muirmade.

Mitchell

muirmade

gave the table a crack today. About to give it another scrub. Managed to get all the rust off the chrome leg too.

JacobZ

Hi @muirmade,

It's looking good. I can't wait to see it when you're done.

Jacob

muirmade

Totally finished and she looks AMAZING!!

JacobZ

You're certainly not wrong there @muirmade, your restored furniture looks absolutely amazing!

The new upholstery looks fantastic with the beautifully restored timber.

Thank you so much for sharing your finished work. I hope it will remain a focal point in your home for many years to come.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Evening @muirmade

You have done a beautiful job of restoring the furniture 🙂 Somehow I have managed to miss the roll of steps but it was GOLD find them all 🙂 Would love to see a project put together of how you stepped through it. My Mum has a set almost like yours of Parker furniture and yep shows the same time wear as yours did.

Worth the effort!

Dave

DSinclair

Hi @muirmade

Just to clarify you achieved this result just using Feast Watson Floor Cleaner followed by the Surface Restore (& just following instructions on can)?

If so I think you have just answered the question I came here to research & yes it does look amazing!

Cheers

Donald

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Donald (@DSinclair). It's to have you join us, and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.

@muirmade certainly achieved some wonderful results, so it would be great to hear exactly the method they used.

We look forward to hearing all about your projects and plans around the house and garden. Feel free to reach out anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

muirmade

Oh my gosh Dave I never got the notification of this 🤦🏼‍♀️ this is her now in all of her beauty and we absolutely love her!

muirmade

@DSinclair

I am so sorry Donald I never saw these comments 🤦🏼‍♀️ yes that is exactly how I did it. Steel wool and basically scrubbed it right back. Came up beautifully!!

we are thinking of maybe doing a wax or something similar on the table top as it does mark a bit with use. But it’s gorgeous and we love her

muirmade

I am so sorry everyone!! Haha. These messages must have got lost in my email somewhere 🤦🏼‍♀️ sincerest apologies!

yes I gave every piece a deep clean with feast Watson floor cleaner and steel wool until it was all fairly even… this took about 4 goes (it’s wet obviously and then you see the difference when it’s dry)

Then used the furniture restore and also did this twice.

so sorry again for missing your comments @DSinclair @Dave-1 🙏🏽 I hope yours came up well!

Dave-1

Good Evening @muirmade

🙂 hahahah I found the same thing in an older post today! No stress but will have to go back and change a recomendation I just made 😲 The table and seats look great! And will be remembering this if I ever restore my mums parker furniture 🙂

Def worth the effort you went through.

Dave

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