HI Walter,
I've refinished a number of old things.I am just terrible about saving old pieces, dragging them home and loving them back to life. I'm in the middle of refinishing an old sideboard right now.
The tabletop you have looks really nice to me. It has a lot of personality. I like the rustic look of the wood. It's a nice piece.
First, I would use an orbital sancer, not a belt sancer. Belt sanders have a tendancy to gouge and are very directional in their use. An orbital will work nicely with the changing direction of the wood grain.
You've said that the table has no finish on it presently, though from the photo it looks as if it does.
Before staining or sanding get a can of paint stripper and strip it first. Then wash it with a scotch brite and lacquer thinner with just a dollop of paint thinner mixed in to slow the drying time. Wear gloves, stripper will burn your hands.
When it's all clean and dry, then start with about a 100 grit sandpaper on your sander and get it smooth, then on to a 220 to get all of the sanding scratches out of it.
Next, if you want to stain it, go ahead, then apply a clear coat.
For a DIY project like this I would use a Minwax Polyurethan finish and put a minimum of three coats on it. The first being a light coat and the next two medium. If you get bumps you can lightly sand them out with a 400 grit before the final coat to give it a nice even finish.
You will need to have patience for this project but in the end you will be so happy with it and be proud of your accomplishment.
For folks who really know their woodworking try the guys in rec.woodworking
Best of luck, I'd like to see some photos when you've finished it!
Kate O|||||||O
The top is a composite of small pieces of wood, similar to a parquet floor, but smaller individual pieces. It was stained a dark walnut, but the stain has been partially worn off causing an unsightly appearance. It does not now have a varnish or other finish, except the stain. The table is heavy and looks somewhat rustic, rather than elegant.
What is the best way to enhance the appearance of the table top? Should I use a belt sander to remove the top layer, re-stain it and then put several layers of clear polyurethane finish on it?
Is there a better or easier way to go? Is polyurethane the toughest finish available?
Thanks for any input.