How to sand and polish timber dining table top?

[TLC]

 

Hi, how do I remove the vanish and sand the pine timber dining table top?

Tried removing the top layer via turp and that multi tool I bought from Bunnings. Didn't remove the vanish.

I think there were orange oil vanish on top on the original vanish.

[JacobZ]

Hi @TLC,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It looks like you've got a cut-off blade on your multi-tool. This would not be effective for removing varnish. Your Ozito 300W Multi Function Tool MFR-2200 does come with sanding attachments, which would do a better job than this, although a multitool is still not the best tool for this job.

You would be much better off using this Tricleanium Paint Stripper and a Paint Scraper to start the varnish removal, ensuring you do this in a well-ventilated area while wearing a mask, protective clothing and gloves. 

You would then sand the surface with a random orbital sander to remove any remaining varnish and smooth and prepare the surface for recoating.

Check out How To Restore Furniture for some further guidance.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[TLC]

Hi JacobZ

Thanks for the info.

Will this paint and vanish stripper work ?https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondall-500ml-waterbased-paint-varnish-stripper-500ml_p0065957

[JacobZ]

Hi @TLC,

Yes, that paint and varnish stripper will also work fine.

In saying this, its coverage is roughly 1 square metre per litre, so depending on the size of the table, you would likely need more than 500ml.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[TLC]

Hi, 

The dining table top is around 3m x 1m. Will that https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondall-500ml-waterbased-paint-varnish-stripper-500ml_p0065957

work?

Also will diggers acetone 

https://www.bigw.com.au/product/diggers-acetone-1l/p/7222078?store=117&utm_source=google&utm_medium=...

work in removing the vanish too?

[JacobZ]

Hi @TLC,

DIGGERS 1L Acetone Cleaning Solvent might help being a strong solvent, but I can't guarantee it would work. You are better off using a product specifically designed for the purpose such as the Bondall 500ml Waterbased Paint & Varnish Stripper.

Yes, the product will work, but you'll need much more than 500ml for 3 square metres. As you can see on Bondall's website the coverage is 1 litre per square metre. So, at 3 square metres, you would need approximately 3 litres.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Jacob

[TLC]

Thanks for your prompt reply!

Regarding this one you mentioned earlier

https://www.bunnings.com.au/tricleanium-1l-paint-stripper_p0400066

It is a thick gel. Will 1L be enough to remove my 3m x1 m dining table top vanish?

[JacobZ · Accepted solution]

Hi @TLC,

Tricleanium's tech team have advised me that their paint and varnish stripping gel can be used over 2-4 square metres, depending on the thickness it is applied and the porosity of the surface it is used on, so I'd say you should be fine with 1L of their product.

Jacob

[TLC]

Hi JacobZ

Will this one work too?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/poly-1l-polystrippa-paint-stripper-1l_p1715074?store=7334&gclsrc=aw.ds&g...

Will 1L do the 3m x 1m table top vanish  removal?

Also which vanish products should I buy for the table top? I think the original vanish is cedar vanish. Not planning to sand down the table legs.

Our plan is to just fix the table top mould spots and scratches made by our kids.

[MitchellMc]

The coverage of the products really has to do with how thick the coating on the table is @TLC. You'd likely be able to do two applications to the table with a 1L container, then you'd sand any residual coating left off back to fresh timber.

The original coating is likely a clear oil-based varnish, which has yellowed over the years. It's up to you whether you'd like to stain the timber to a particular colour. If you are just after a clear finish on the timber, then you can use Cabot's Cabothane.

It would not be easy to match the top with the legs if you don't plan to refinish them too. So much so that either you would need to accept they'll be different colours, or re-finish them too. There are cedar stains, but I do not believe they will replicate the original colour at all.

Mitchell