A friend asked if I would look at her daughter-in-law's table to see what could be done for the finish on it. Sure, so I went to her house and looked at her kitchen table. It was a very dark hard wood and made like a picnic table with bench seats. The table top had been worn and scratched. I did not recognize the wood and it was very heavy, looked like some of the foreign exotics I've seen. She wanted me to refinish the table top. I explained what would happen, that the top would lighten with sanding and the color match would be difficult to match. Next she asked to do it all. No, I don't want a large table in my garage and the time to do it right wasn't what I wanted. I immediately noticed how demanding and difficult she would be to please. I politely declined and told her to get a pro. I can do it, for myself,my wife or family. I don't want the stress of trying to please another woman

I hear ya Ron, that is the joy if being an independent woodworker, you can tell folks to go pound sand, politely of course. Personally I have only done a hand full of refinishing jobs, and I did not like it for a variety of reasons.

I should try this with my sister......

Now there's a wise man.   At my age, I'm pretty picky what restoration work I take on.  Most of the time you have more in it than you get out of it.  Well done!

I also decline to do refinishing work. its just too time consuming and I lack enough experience to do it for others.