Refinishing an Oak Coffee Table Top

My aunt asked me about an oak coffee table she had. We chatted about it and I offered to attempt to refinish the top for her. I picked it up and this was my first project of 2019. It took a few weeks mainly because of waiting on stuff to dry, but I got it done! Yay!!! I put a bible verse on the underside of the table top even though no one will ever see it. I chose Luke 14:15 (NCV) “Blessed are the people who will share in the meal in God’s kingdom.” I suppose folks won’t be having a meal around this table, but maybe some coffee!!!
__________________
Cy’s Corner Shop (Etsy): www.etsy.com/s...
Cy’s Corner Website: cyscorner.word...
Cy’s Corner Instagram: / cyscorner
Cy’s Corner Facebook: / cyscorners
Cy’s Twitter: / undeniablycy
Cy’s Corner Pinterest: / cyscorner
Cy’s Corner Theme songs by My Torn Genes: mytorngenes.com/
Cy’s email: [e-mail]
Cy’s Corner
P.O. Box 104
Prineville, Oregon
97754

[@tonysaccullo7291]

Thanks! Your video was a big help. I have a large oak roll top desk and I removed the roll top portion. So - I have a very large top is a combination of bare wood and finished wood. I plan on following your process as I was very impressed with how your project turned out.

[@CysCorner]

I'm so glad this video is able to help you. :) :) :)

[@carolinebradley1901]

I loved the scripture put on it ,its a great touch thank you

[@CysCorner]

And thank you ;)

[@threeque]

NIce job. Looks great. Always a good day when Cy uploads. I just did a few refinishes last year. Pretty satisfying I find. I learned a great tip. If you have dings, you can fix them with a wet cloth and iron. It swells the fibers and they raise right back up in a lot of cases. Does not work if it is a gouge where wood is actually removed. It's pretty fun to do too. Cya Cy!

[@CysCorner]

@threeque Aw thank you :) And thanks for that tip! I will have to try that next time!!!

[@ceedub6233]

Nice job. This turned out very nice. I'm sure your Aunt will enjoy it. Blessings to you and your family

[@CysCorner]

@christopher dustin Thank you and Blessings to you too!

[@jackierudd2010]

Excellent job, it looks like new. My dog hides her toys behind the tv but unfortunately she scratches the surface of my tv cabinet😨, I was going to replace it but haven't found one as nice, this has given me the insensitive to sand it down and refinish it, (I'll need to hide her toys though 😊) Thankyou Cy you are an inspiration 😊💖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@CysCorner]

@Jackie Rudd So excited for you to tackle that project!. It's nice to know there is an option to fix something when you can't find a replacement!

[@crossingclosets2327]

I am soooo thrilled to find this video I have 2 oak tables and I only want to do the top also. Thank you so much . I learned so much. Thank you🙏🏻❤️

[@CysCorner]

Great!! Yay!!!

[@philipmoogk]

Amazing job....and I love your vibe too......cheers

[@CysCorner]

Thank you :)

[@carolhamilton4985]

I absolutely loved this video! Thank you! I’m off to sort out my oak nest of tables :-) x

[@CysCorner]

Cool!!!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice refinishing on the table top Cy! Thanks for sharing the video.👍😎JP

[@CysCorner]

Thanks JP!!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Your very welcome Cy!😎

[@TheJeeva143]

Whoop!!

[@CysCorner]

:)

[@petestaint8312]

Beautiful! Table's not bad either. 👍

[@CysCorner]

😊 aw shucks, thanks!

[@merchybrenin1849]

Great tip-=Love the bible verse touch!

[@CysCorner]

Thank you :)

[@nickyp812]

Thanks for this! About to refinish my dining table top and honestly had no idea where to start, or is I should use danish oil and then poly or just straight to poly. But the combo is beautiful. Thanks again! So helpful!!

[@BBradshaw131]

Nice job! Awesome shop as well!

[@CysCorner]

Thank you and thank you!

[@vsweat2]

Hi Ms. Cy. Ron form Fl. I like the project and that you continually are learning new things. I want to comment on the routed cabin. Great job. Now I need to get a v bit for my palm router!

[@CysCorner]

@vsweat2 Thanks! There are soooo many bits on my list!

[@ReedRyan79]

Great job, and also that is correct way to wear a glasses strap.

[@CysCorner]

Thanks. Not sure why I had the strap like that 🤔

[@laurinrabe9348]

video was very good but you have to sand coat no 1 for a perfect finish with white sanding dust as a result and keep feeling with your fingertips for roughness, its because the wood fibers start raising up again

[@CysCorner]

Thanks for the tip :)

[@profet79]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@CysCorner]

Great!!!! So glad!

[@gauravmitm18]

love the energy! And esp. mention to your unsung twin who showed to help you

[@CysCorner]

🤣🤣🤣 thanks! She's good help!!!! 🤣

[@julieryding2030]

Beautiful job thanks for sharing 😊

[@CysCorner]

Thanks so much :)

[@LoriGriffiths]

Cy your table turned out beautifully. What a great improvement. Isn't it satisfying to bring something back instead of buying new? I have another tip for you. Instead of the 220 sand paper after the final top coat, use #0000 steel wool. (The correct term is four ought). It is super fine and great for getting into tight spots much easier than sandpaper. Also, it is equivalent to a very fine sandpaper so the finish will be so soft to the hand. You can even try it for your intarsia work. You'll love how it feels.

[@CysCorner]

@Lori Griffiths Four Ought, thank you! I have the rougher stuff but will definitely try the 4-0 on my intarsia. Thanks Lori :)

[@reynaldovalle1773]

beautiful job. God bless your family and friends. 👍

[@CysCorner]

@Reynaldo Valle Thank you and God bless you too!!!

[@reynaldovalle1773]

@@CysCorner AMEN

[@zab3518]

You did a great job on the table!

[@CysCorner]

Thank you! 😊

[@elizabethamizdail7939]

Lovely!!!

[@CysCorner]

@Elizabeth A Mizdail Thank you!

[@crystalsimpson2681]

Looks great

[@CysCorner]

@Crystal Simpson Thank you!

[@BrianB2579]

.......Good...... now we can come for tea and biscuits.....!!

[@CysCorner]

@Brian B hee heeeee!!!

[@45ricanman]

Good job and nice video. If you ever get a chance , try using a stain and poly 2 in one will save you alot of time because it dries faster with no oil to dry for 3 days. The new finish will need a couple of days to cure and stop the funky smell though.

[@CysCorner]

Hello, I have used the poly and stain in one and someone recommended doing it in 2 steps instead. So I tried the 2 step and it did have a better result. It does take longer but it looks better I think! Thanks anyway!!!

[@dirtycurty1202]

You did a wonderful job!!!!!

[@CysCorner]

@Curt Parker Thanks Curt!

[@pteddie6965]

The table looks great. Thank God for family, huh?

[@CysCorner]

@pt eddie For sure!!!

[@Atomic_El_Bro]

Dude I loved this

[@CysCorner]

:)

[@cnrart.claudiorodriguez9978]

muy buena restauracion , saludos

[@stripermanly]

That should work perfect on a okay table top I’m going to redo

[@CysCorner]

Hope it works well for you!!!!

[@timothyjohnson4334]

Table looks great. What kind of camera do you use to film this

[@CysCorner]

Hello, I use a Canon EOS Rebel SL2 :)

[@lisaarcher6091]

Great Job! Thanks for sharing the process. Love your videos. (Didn't know that you had a twin.) :)

[@CysCorner]

@Lisa Archer Thanks for watching. I call her Cyclone. :D. !!!!

[@KE4YAL]

Very nice 👍

[@CysCorner]

@Jerry Puckett Thanks Jerry!!!

[@dougbillman2333]

Thank you KINDLY...

[@CysCorner]

You're welcome ;)

[@palesomim4306]

Hi Cy, thank you for this video. I just came into some white claw end tables that I believe are oak. I need to restore the top and believe there is no stain on them. My question is if I only restore the top will the side and front be mismatched? Thank you

[@CysCorner]

If there is no stain then the mismatch wouldn't be as obvious, but there will be some with a newer looking top and the rest of it older. On this table I only did the top and my aunt was very happy with the way the entire table looked. You could try it and refinish the rest of it if it looks odd. :)

[@jawaralegette3451]

great video, i really need to need to know what you used to burn the scripture underneath? i love it

[@CysCorner]

Hello, the technique is a heat transfer using toner and heat. I've made some videos of how I do the transfers. I will put a link to the one that shows the heat transfer. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rafEdGdvpc-to80

[@joetrudellmajesticrhythms7269]

Just use Oven spray cleaner.. it take the varnish all off

[@CysCorner]

Really? Interesting!!!

[@joetrudellmajesticrhythms7269]

@@CysCorner I just saw a video about it.. depending on how much varnish may meed 2 coats, but it comes right off NO dust or muscle needed

[@CysCorner]

@@joetrudellmajesticrhythms7269 I'll have to try it!

[@joetrudellmajesticrhythms7269]

@@CysCorner Spray on and let sit until bubble or 5 minutes .. then just use a cloth to wipe off

[@robertevans6481]

😍

[@glennakendall6155]

I know you didn’t use a router in this tut, but what brand and size is your router? Thanks! Beautiful table.

[@CysCorner]

@Glenna Kendall Thank you! I have a Drill Master trim router from Harbor Freight, it holds a 1/4 inch shank. It works fine for me but I know there are better ones out there. I've heard good things about the Dewalt 611.

[@glennakendall6155]

Cy's Corner Thank you! I love your work!

[@BlueblueBananaretirement]

You're fun. How long did the sanding take? PS. You're video is cool.

[@CysCorner]

Thank you 😊 Sorry I dont remember how long it took to sand, time wise. I know it didn't take hours and hours and it was satisfying to see it transforming!

[@ashk5331]

60 grit 😮 wow it must have been wrecked

[@benjaminkenobi21]

You don’t really need Danish oil if you’re using oil-based poly. The only reason to use the oil first would be to change the wood color with a tinted oil before the topcoat goes on. So basically, the oil just gave you a foundational protective finish that you further built up with the poly. A higher number of poly coats would have given you the same protection.

[@CysCorner]

I was only going to do the danish oil and it didn't give me the result I wanted so I then added the poly :)

[@LEXICOGRAFFER]

You'd always want to use a filler on open grain woods like Oak, it enhances the grain's beauty bigtime, in case beauty is the goal....

[@CysCorner]

Good to know, thanks for the info!

[@ajcreative2391]

What would you do to restore a sun damaged table ? Thank you

[@CysCorner]

I suppose it depends on how sun damaged it is. If the wood is still good then sanding it down should work, then start with that fresh new layer. That is easy with a flat table top but with legs it is more difficult.

[@Ricky-km7hy]

Hi what would I use to repair farmhouse oak ?

[@Ricky-km7hy]

Oh and great job you did 👏

[@CysCorner]

Depends on the type of repair I suppose....It must be more than refinishing the surface? And thank you.

[@Ricky-km7hy]

@@CysCorner hi thanks for the reply. My bed side unit got water damaged to the paint /stain oveer the years. so I've rubbed it down and Ready to put colour back on to match it This is a link to it www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/furniture/french-farmhouse-rustic-solid-oak-2-drawer-bedside-table/1688.html Unsure what to use to match in with all the other items Thanks 😊

[@CysCorner]

@@Ricky-km7hy Matching a waterstained area may be tricky. You may have to stain the entire piece to make it all blend.

[@Ricky-km7hy]

@@CysCorner what product would you use ?

[@orelygarcia]

❤👍👍😎💯

[@Jean-qn4fy]

I like using stripper on flat surfaces. But that's just me.

[@CysCorner]

That works!