Advice for my new/old coffee table?

BurningSkies · #1 06-20-2010, 01:35 PM

Meet my new coffee table:

Its a good example of the heart of the Mid-Century Mondern/Danish modern movement in home decor...a Lane Acclaim swivel table (later, Lane went into the cheezy recliner business, you may remember from the 1970's Price is Right). I found it locally for a good price and it's actually in great shape, no rings, dings, etc. It appears that both table tops are walnut and the surrounding and dovetailed wood is ash.

A couple of the ash edges are a bit dark, which I surmise could be from age, aging of the finish, handling, etc. Its not that bad, and I can certainly be happy with it as it is now.

But I'd love to know if anyone has any idea of a good, safe way trying to clean it a bit. I don't know if it's poly or lacquer, but I would guess lacquer as the table dates to 62-63. I don't want to do a re-fin, as I'd like to keep it as original as possible.

I've lemon oiled the table a few times and cleaned it pretty well with a soft cloth, which got a bunch of the grime off.

So, furniture people, help me out here...anything I can try that won't #@$% it up?

**smperry** · #2 06-20-2010, 01:40 PM

I'm not sure what to suggest (it looks ok as is to me), but I LOVE that coffee table. I'm a fan of Danish movement furniture and that's a great example.

Tsal · #3 06-20-2010, 02:02 PM

If it has any gloss finish left on darker spots, you can always sand the surface down a bit with a fine grit paper, preferably with a 1200 grit which is about as fine as they come, and after that polish it up with abrasive rubbing compound. For any deeper scratches, use smaller grit paper and then work it up to 1200 and polish.

If the stains go into the wood, and you didn't pay too much for the table, you can re-surface it. Start by removing some gloss by sanding it down with 400 grit or so, then spray a couple of coats of gloss on it with 600-800 grit sanding in between, and then move up to 1200 and polishing compound. You can get a decent finish at home, just takes some patient sanding and thin coats.

BurningSkies · #4 06-20-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smperry

I'm not sure what to suggest (it looks ok as is to me), but I LOVE that coffee table. I'm a fan of Danish movement furniture and that's a great example.

Thanks Marshall,

It was a completely random find...but a local antique place has a floor of mid-century stuff and this was tucked in there. They had some really amazing stuff, but to the point where it would have been too outlandish to live with.

I like this one because its iconic yet not gimmicky.

The best part is that they originally were asking a decent chunk of money for it, and I didn't pay a lot for it. Tough economy and a slow summer for retail doesn't hurt.

Book matched walnut tops don't hurt either.

BurningSkies · #5 06-20-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsal

If it has any gloss finish left on darker spots, you can always sand the surface down a bit with a fine grit paper, preferably with a 1200 grit which is about as fine as they come, and after that polish it up with abrasive rubbing compound. For any deeper scratches, use smaller grit paper and then work it up to 1200 and polish.

If the stains go into the wood, and you didn't pay too much for the table, you can re-surface it. Start by removing some gloss by sanding it down with 400 grit or so, then spray a couple of coats of gloss on it with 600-800 grit sanding in between, and then move up to 1200 and polishing compound. You can get a decent finish at home, just takes some patient sanding and thin coats.

I was thinking that I might start with some fine steel wool and see if that works. The finish is very thin, no matter what its made of, but there's no wear through it anywhere.

I'd love to keep the finish original if I can.

funkydjembe · #6 06-20-2010, 04:53 PM

Wow, nice table! makes me want to cut it up and make a bass out of it

sloasdaylight · #7 06-20-2010, 04:56 PM

I'd go with black hardware, a Macasar Ebony fingerboard, and some wooden pickup covers.

funkydjembe · #8 06-20-2010, 05:08 PM

the wood in the middle is probably a thin veneer, looks like teak, with a particle board core, with solid wood around. In norway there is a linseed based solvent called "lynol", if it's possible to try a little bit (tiny amount on a cloth) under the table to see what happens. remember that guitar that Bo Diddely had,,the square one? you could make a bo diddely bass

BurningSkies · #9 06-20-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkydjembe

the wood in the middle is probably a thin veneer, looks like teak, with a particle board core, with solid wood around. In norway there is a linseed based solvent called "lynol", if it's possible to try a little bit (tiny amount on a cloth) under the table to see what happens. remember that guitar that Bo Diddely had,,the square one? you could make a bo diddely bass

I already have one of the ultimate nice wood coffee table basses around.

I'll check out the linseed oil solvent and see what I can find.

Interesting that it may be particle under veneer...The underside doesn't hint at that either. I'll have to do a bit more research.

BurningSkies · #10 06-20-2010, 08:56 PM

Interesting info...it is a walnut veneer, but over wood not particle. The border is actually oak (which isn't a surprise because it has a similar look to ash).

http://www.jetsetmodern.com/lane.htm

Its also good to know that it is lacquer finished and the most desirable of Lane/Acclaim.

**smperry** · #11 06-20-2010, 09:03 PM

Don't be that guy on Antiques Roadshow that messed up a valuable table due to a refinish.

[not that I ever watch Antiques Roadshow

]

BurningSkies · #12 06-20-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smperry

Don't be that guy on Antiques Roadshow that messed up a valuable table due to a refinish.

[not that I ever watch Antiques Roadshow

]

I come from a family and a land that's full of antique (colonial era) furniture. I also know what happens when you re-fin an old bass.

That's sort of why I'm poking at this. In the end it may be worth not doing anything.

blendermassacre · #13 06-20-2010, 09:37 PM

I vote leave it be. Looks beautiful as is, to me.

MakiSupaStar · #14 06-20-2010, 10:04 PM

I grew up with a bunch of furniture this style. I love it. Of course my parents chucked it all.

MadMan118 · #15 06-20-2010, 10:14 PM

Pastel blue IMO is an ugly colour for a couch, but the table is fine as is.

BurningSkies · #16 06-20-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I grew up with a bunch of furniture this style. I love it. Of course my parents chucked it all.

My family's taste ran much more towards conservative, traditional type stuff, along with family antiques dating back to colonial era pieces.

But I was a child of the 70's and grew up with the TV re-runs of the 'classic age' of post war America. I love the design aesthetic that runs Deco through the early 70's and the modernist movement. I especially like the American idealization of what was seen as the world of the future. Possibly even more now that it has been relegated to the past.

Pilgrim · #17 06-20-2010, 10:24 PM

I wouldn't mess with it. It looks very nice as is. You can easily find a good deal of information online at MUCH more authoritative sites than this for furniture care and refinishing. Given the dovetails around the edges, I would be very surprised if there's any particle board in it - a woodworker wouldn't waste dovetails on a piece that had particle board in it. My bet is that it's solid wood throughout.

The most I'd do is find a mild cleaning agent that is recommended by good online sites or a a local furniture refinisher. There may very well be someone in your area who works on such furniture...but I doubt it needs cleaned. You could always try Murphy's Oil Soap on it and keep the exposure to water minimal, drying it off quickly.