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 May 2May 2 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 May 3May 3 by kmealy

On 5/3/2026 at 3:23 PM, kmealy said:

It's oxalic acid. Commonly misspelled. (it's also used to vaporize bee hives to remove mites, and some guys in the 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.

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

Orered the acid from the walmart link.

Will apply as paste?

any adivse on mixure to apply?

On 5/3/2026 at 2:42 PM, lew said:

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

Gents during the stripping process the black stain blead in the firbers. So now that I have the acid what concertration do I mix this with water and should I use only distilled water?

according to what i have been told distilled water is best and use a saturated solution, dissolve as much as possible in warm water, then flood it on and allow it to work, it's almost instanious , then wash off with plenty of water and allow to dry. Yes it will raise the grain so light sanding will be necessary. Hope this helps.

Edited May 7May 7 by Rusty S
spelling

https://corecheminc.com/cleaning-with-oxalic-acid-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

according to the above site. 2 cups per gallon of water.

so I cup for 1/2 gal.

or 1/2 cup Per quart.

Thanks Rusty S and everyone else.

I think a 1/2 gal will be fine and will apply with a rag wearing nitrix gloves to protect me.

I will let you know and take pictures of before and after.

I don't know how big your table top is but 1/2 gal. will go a long way, maybe think a glass of milk dumped on the kitchen table🤣

Edited May 7May 7 by Rusty S
forgot

47 minutes ago, Rusty S said:

according to what i have been told distilled water is best and use a saturated solution, dissolve as much as possible in warm water, then flood it on and allow it to work, it's almost instanious , then wash off with plenty of water and allow to dry. Yes it will raise the grain so light sanding will be necessary. Hope this helps.

Yes, you need to rinse off after it works. Otherwise, you'll get the dust in your finish sanding and that's not a good idea. Sorry, I did not proof that bleach article that I posted and it appears a mess. Below are some better ones.

USING WOOD BLEACH.pdf Bleaching Wood _ Popular Woodworking Magazine.pdf Oxalic Acid_ A Very Useful Bleach _ Popular Woodworking Magazine.pdf

On 5/7/2026 at 4:42 PM, kmealy said:

Yes, you need to rinse off after it works. Otherwise, you'll get the dust in your finish sanding and that's not a good idea. Sorry, I did not proof that bleach article that I posted and it appears a mess. Below are some better ones.

USING WOOD BLEACH.pdf Bleaching Wood _ Popular Woodworking Magazine.pdf Oxalic Acid_ A Very Useful Bleach _ Popular Woodworking Magazine.pdf

Thanks as always I have applied the bleach and awaiting it to dry out. When I go to rinse it do I use distilled water? What is best method to protect the surrounding wood. What I mean by that is can I use several rags soaked in distilled water and wipe with the grain ?

As a follow up do I add baking soada to the wash to neutrailze the acid and how much per 1/2 gallon?