I have been tasked with refinishing at table that my grandpa built.

But as you can see the top of the table has had the worst of it which is normal.

How to address the round spots and scratches?

Should i chemicaly strip the finish and then sand carefully; then restain with a matching stain or dye.

The table top is approximately 3/8" thick.

The top is rough to the touch and I think the stain was something with black in it.

I think it was a variation of golden oak.

Edited Saturday at 04:31 PM1 day by Michael Thuman
Modify words.

I would use your plan. At first I thought maybe taking the wood down a little further would be the best, but at 3/8" thick there isn't a lot to work with, so the strip and sand is my next choice. Did your grandpa turn those legs as well? Nice table.

I would lightly sand and apply a gel stain of a darker color. If the rings and scratches still show it is just a part of your heritage.

@kmealy

Oxcillic acid should remove those stains. Follow label instructions, scarey name but pretty tame acid comes as a powder to be mixed with warm water.

I always start by wiping it down with denatured alcohol. If it was finished with shellac the alcohol will dissolve and remove it along with some of the stains. If it wasn't shellac then a stripper will be needed.

All used a citric base stripper removed the clear varish, not shellac, but after using a stripper rinse I need to bleach the dark stain. What sort of material do I use to remove the dark stain?

5 minutes ago, Michael Thuman said:

All used a citric base stripper removed the clear varish, not shellac, but after using a stripper rinse I need to bleach the dark stain. What sort of material do I use to remove the dark stain?

from google oxyaclic acid but were to find it. Can i use warm Alchol or mineral sprits is place of water which will raise the grain?

24 minutes ago, Michael Thuman said:

from google oxyaclic acid but were to find it. Can i use warm Alchol or mineral sprits is place of water which will raise the grain?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Oxalic-Acid-2-lbs-99-6-Pure-Multipurpose-Cleaner-Stain-Remover-Wood-Metal-Stone-Rust-Removal-Wood-Restorer-Deck-Cleaner-Packed-Durable-Resealable-Pac/6233307920?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101553164&selectedOfferId=B0CF2FB1A2BC3D2EA9A4C64A6E08D910&conditionGroupCode=1

I was in Menards this morning and noticed they have it on the shelf. It's a Sunnyside product back in the paint section.

I would chemically strip it. Then use a card scraper where necessary. Then re-stain. I wouldn't use sandpaper.

It's oxalic acid. Commonly misspelled. (it's also used to vaporize bee hives to remove mites, and some guys in the bee club always called it oxicillic acid, bmh) It will remove stains caused by iron, tannins (present in some woods), and water. Other bleaches remove other stains. Barkeeper's Friend is sometimes recommended, but last I looked it's only 5% oxalic acid.

But you need to strip it first so it has access to the wood fibers.

I would not try to "sand it off" as it might be very deep.

Using Wood Bleach - FineWoodworking.pdf

Edited 17 hours ago17 hr by kmealy