How to restore Mango wood dining table?

[Nadjrose]

Heyo restoring a lovely mango wood dining table that was incredibly sticky and shiny from many wax coats. 

I have stripped it all back and am now in the sanding process.

The table was made with boards, not a slab, and I'm hoping to have more of a slab look and less uneven on top!

Should I be trying to even it out with staining or sanding? 

We have a walnut stain (foodsafe etc) that's supposed to need 3 coats.  

[JacobZ]

Hi @Nadjrose,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question about your mango wood table.

Unfortunately, due to the differences in the grain pattern between the laminated boards, it is never going to look like a single slab. When any stain or oil is added, the grain is accentuated which will make it clear that it is laminated boards instead of a slab.

The only way I can see that would hide the fact you have laminated boards as opposed to a slab, is to paint the tabletop, which completely defeats the purpose of having a live edge table, which is to show off the natural beauty of the timber.

You can minimise the gaps by mixing fine saw dust with wood glue and using it as a filler, but it looks like the glue up left very little gap, so this wouldn't be the most effective.

Using a dark stain, such as walnut will help to disguise the colour differences between the boards, but unfortunately, I think you are just going to have to live with the fact it won't look like a single slab of timber.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Noyade and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Noyade]

My thoughts are Jacob's thoughts.

I think it will still look very good when finished. 👍

[Nadjrose]

Hey just not understanding what you mean by laminated boards, each board is solid timber and the thing weighs about 100kgs. Unsure if that changes things or not 

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Nadjrose 

I think @JacobZ is meaning by laminated boards the whole lot across the table is "laminated" as in built of of layers. 

I have put a table together much like yours tho mine had bigger gaps and like you I was wondering how to "smooth" it out as I dont have a timber planer thicknesser. I Was working with hardwood and aged hardwood at that so it was easier in one way and hard in another. I used an electric planning tool and sanded it some but mostly the planner. 

I was concerned about gouging the timber or removing too much. 

Here is my build for the table Dining table build and seats reupholstering 

Your table top looks in great condition after removing the wax you mention. I would be reluctant to sand it as I think it looks pretty level. As to staining it, maybe try staining a bit of the underside first to see how it will look? I know my table went from a rich redder to a darker red/brown overthe course of a few stains. I havnt had to restain it since I built it and the surface still repels water.

One way to judge how smooth your table top is, place a plate on it and see if it rocks. Mine does, but I am still happy with the process for the way I built it. So I chalk it up to being rustic and one of a kind

Dave

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Nadjrose,

No, that won't change the advice @JacobZ has provided. He's just pointing out that due to the colour variation, it would be difficult to make it all look the same. Using a stain will make it look more uniform, but unless you saturate it, there will still be a variation in colour. I'd suggest you do a test section on the underside of the table to see if staining achieves your desired result.

Mitchell

[Nadjrose]

Thanks gang, 

The previous stain is very dark so will do a bit more sanding and then just stain it then. 

Probably over generalising by saying slab - just slightly less grossly uneven in colour is what I'm after 😂

Will do the above!

[Nailbag]

I addition to @JacobZ recommendations @Nadjrose I would fill any knot holes etc with a transparent timber resin filler before applying the final clear coat. This will give a continuous grain finish without using any coloured finish. I have a couple of spotted gum shelves and benchtops I've applied this to and it look and feel terrific. There are many types around, none of which are cheap. Just Google "transparent timber resin fillers" to find one suitable.

Nailbag

[Nailbag]

Definitely worth spending the extra couple of hours sanding the old dar stain out. The lighter original grain will look awesome.

Nailbag