Repairing & Refinishing an Antique Tiger Oak Library Table

Written By Rachel Koehler

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You can find all of my favorite tools mentioned below & used in my projects at my link here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/restoreitwithrachel

This table was in ROUGH shape when I found it. The base was broken in half, the finish was essentially dust and it was very, very dirty. BUT - it was SO cool and I knew I had to give it some love!

The first thing I did was repair the bottom. I did a poor job documenting the process with photos and videos but I hope this explanation will be helpful!

I drilled holes into the edge of the existing table base. Then, I applied a little wood glue and hammered in solid OAK wood dowels about 1 1/2” in on each end. I matched up the holes on the broken off piece of the table base, applied a little wood glue and using a rubber mallet and clamps essentially squeezed the broken off piece of the table back onto the existing part of the table base.

When that was done, I added some hidden semi thick metal cross supports secured via wood screws from one side of the table base to the other just for some extra strength and reinforcement.

It was pretty cool when finished, like it had never even happened! :) After that, I used the little pieces of trim that had broken off over time and re-secured them around the base of the table where the column meets the bottom. I was missing a few pieces so used some scrap trim to make -do. I secured these with wood glue and brad nails.

I wanted to show off the really cool tiger oak grain but also wanted this light and airy looking + protected.

To do that, I stripped off the rest of the original finish, then sanded smooth. I used a taupe paint wash by mixing a 3:1 (water to paint) ratio of a taupe paint and water. I basically just brushed it on and back wiped it off in the direction of the grain.

After that was done, I used Minwax “Special Dark Furniture Finishing Paste” (aka wax) to give a little bit of a darker warmer tone to the table and also protect it. After the paste was brushed on, I wiped off the excess lightly with paper towels and after that was totally dry I buffed it with some microfiber towels to get both shine and a water resistant protective coating.

One of my favorite parts about this table is the little hidden drawer in the side which I didn’t even realize was there until I got it home and started working on it. I cleaned that up and lined the inside with some cute new vinyl contact paper.

This table is currently available and for sale at my booth in Antique - Up of Kimberly, WI. You can find detailed information on this table at the link here: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7274625345958872/

Rachel Koehler
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Refinished Outdated Wooden Bookshelves