Share
Hi guys, I scored this AMAZING original parker dining table, she's had the same owners since the 1960's, but she's well worn. The varnish really needs to be completely removed, a good sand, and polished back up again. It appears better in photos than what it is 😕 and yes I will be recovering the seats so they don't look like nana's curtains haha.
I am looking for the best products/advice to undertake this project? Send help - intermediate renovator 
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @muirmade. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring Parker furniture.
Before jumping into the restoration, how bad is the surface? If you can share some close-up photos of the wear and damage, that would help with advice on the best approach.
One thing to keep in mind is that while you can certainly strip the old varnish and refinish the table, it won’t be exactly the same as the original Parker finish. A big part of the value of Parker furniture comes not just from the design but also from its factory-applied coating. Removing that and applying a new finish will likely diminish most of its collectible value.
That said, if you're not planning to sell it and are happy with achieving a similar look, you can sand it back to bare timber, stain it to match the original tone, and apply a clear polyurethane finish.
Here's a helpful guide: How to restore timber furniture. You might also like to read through How to choose the right sandpaper for the job.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hey thank you so much for this - definitely NOT planning to sell it, we are using it in our home. I will get some close up pics when I get back home
Here's some images if that helps a little more
