For me, there is a fine line between
distressed
and
damaged

Our farmhouse pine table was made from reclaimed antique English pine boards.
The scrapes and marks on the table when we bought it in 1988
added to its charm and character and
verified its age and previous life.
Over the years we added our own character/distress marks...
Like when the floor refinisher set our couch atop the table
and dug long grooves into it with the
couch's feet that had lost their protective pads.

Like the marks into the waxed finish made by
pressing the grading pen really hard while grading papers.
I could almost read the comments I wrote on students' papers.
My handwriting was akin to what you see on aged documents.
Layer upon layer of comments had a distinctive pattern,
but the words were indiscernible since each day's comments
were written over the top of the previous day's comments.
These character marks/distressing I could live with.
They added our lives to the table.
The water stains recently added to the table, however,
were another matter. For me, they did not add character or
chapters of our lives to the table.
What to do?
How do I repair the finish, but keep the mellow distressed look?
How do I keep the patina from its previous life in England
and its life with us?
The table was not finished with a stain.
Protective wax allowed the distressed natural grain
of the wood to show through.
First, I tried sanding the water-stained areas.
The waxy finish just gummed up the sandpaper.
I needed to get to the original wood below the wax
to sand the water stains.
Deep breath.......
I needed to remove the wax finish.
So, how do I do that? I have never done this before.
How do you remove old wax?
No research, no tools, no one to consult ...
Using one blade of a broken pair of scissors,
I began scraping the wax off the table.
I used the backside of the blade, not the sharp cutting edge.
Hours later, I was only about half way finished scraping.
Keep breathing...
My arm, elbow, shoulders, and back ached.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
No turning back, cannot stop now.
But not on this night... tomorrow...
Went to bed and began again the next day...
As I scraped the wax, I thought,
"I'm scraping dirt.
Patina is really a fancy name for dirty wax.
Am I ruining this table?"
After scraping began the chore of removing the water stains.
Hmmm... sanding helped, but did not eliminate them completely.
How about bleach? That helped remove a lot of the stains.
Back to sanding some more.
More stains removed...
Here is the stripped, bleached, and sanded table.
Character, distress, and couch-dug groove still visible.
Handwriting from grading gone. (sigh)
Water stains almost eliminated.
Hmmm... should I keep working?
No, the remaining stains will add
another chapter of our lives to the table.
First coat of Minwax as a finish to the table...
Hmmm... again...
not as much patina (depth and shine) as before stripping.
Re-read directions on Minwax.
Oh... buff the wax with a soft cloth.
Here is the second coat of Minwax after buffing.
This is the area of the worst water stain.
Looking much better...
After the third coat of Minwax and buffing...
There is a definite nice looking PATINA
with character (distress) still visible.
Major water stains (damage) are not visible.
Oh, what a relief!
Below are the photos of AFTER refinishing the table and
with the chirping birds table setting.
Look at the patina!
This past weekend I went out-of-town antiquing with friends, and we ate
lunch in the town's locally well-known barbeque cafe.
A sign on the wall caught my eye.
I think it is just the quote needed for my chalkboard and pine table.
Is this a tutorial of how to refinish a pine table?
No!
Experienced furniture refinishers reading this are
probably shuddering at how I did the refinish job.
I think I was pretty lucky with how the table turned out.
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Please join me at these inspiring linky parties...
That is a gorgeous table! You did a good job! Thank you for your sweet comments!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Thanks, Sherry.
DeleteJudith
You have one beautiful table! I'm not a finisher, but you scared me with the scraping...I kept thinking you'd gouge the table. But you did a fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteSaw you sharing at StoneGable TTT
Debbie :)
Debbie, I wasn't worried about gouging the table since I used the blunt side of the scissors blade. I held the blade perpendicular to the table and had a 'good feel' for much pressure to apply. I was worried about losing the charming patina of the table and not being able to remove the water stains.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and your encouraging words.
Judith
That was a LOT of hard work, but a gorgeous result! Beautiful table, I think I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, a LOT of hard work. It took 3-4 days of working just on it.
DeleteJudith
Love the table, love the way you dressed it in blue.
ReplyDeleteJeannie
Thank you. I just popped over to your blog and became your latest follower. Thank you for following me.
DeleteJudith
Well I was going to suggest you call in a pro, but I think you did pretty well, it looks good whilst still retaining its English history et al and I enjoyed reading the saga. The blue and white tablescape is very pretty and I love that table. I am taking delivery of a French antique coffee table this afternoon if my husband sticks to his promise and comes home early to help me cart it home. Your table reminds me of it's patina. I love all that kind of stuff. Thanks for finding my blog and I am following you back now.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Carolyn
I hope you show your new French antique coffee table in one of your upcoming posts. I love all things French it seems, including the blog site 'All Things French.'
ReplyDeleteThanks for following my site. Have a wonderful weekend.
Judith
You had me with that beautiful banner of yours, which led to your "about" section and... I was hooked! Then, I proceeded to read your current post and knew you were someone I wanted to know better. Doesn't hurt that you're in Texas. Love me some Texas!!! LOL Anyway, the table is gorgeous and I loved your "can-do" spirit. Now to add new layers of memories. Just keep those painters away from it. Had a similar experience and trust me, that did not leave me with happy thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteYou saved the patina! It is so beautiful now as is your tablesetting.
ReplyDeleteI always have to check out what the other hen (Jeannie above) saw! Beautiful blog.
Peace,
Linda st the French Hens Nest
Thanks for visiting and leaving such a nice comment.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Jduith
Your table is beautiful and still has lots of charm! LOVE it!!! The table setting...absolutely lovely!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Thanks, Mary Alice. It's nice to hear from someone else that the table still has charm.
DeleteJudith
Well, it looks great. Love it set with your chirping birds theme and all that wonderful blue and white. Glad it all worked out. I need to rewax a pine table that has a large spot from a hot pot. Not sure what to do. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteNo ideas, Sarah. If you look closely at some of these photos, you will see a circular dark spot near the center of the table that I could not get out.
ReplyDeleteJudith
wow, your table is awesome...so much better after the re-do!!!! Love it
ReplyDeleteChristine from Little Brags
Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteJudith
It's beautiful, Judith. I need to polish some of our pine pieces. You are inspiring me!
ReplyDelete