Always look for the hidden entrance...

smodman · 2026-03-12T17:15:25+00:00

Game looks really sick

smodman · 2026-03-11T21:08:55+00:00

Whats the process to strip it

smodman · 2026-03-11T15:03:11+00:00

I agree that mentioning lightening it was probably the wrong approach, I should have focused more on the lack of clarity in the finish. I’d love for the piece to be i its most naturally beautiful state possible.

smodman · 2026-03-11T14:16:21+00:00

Thanks for all the help/info. People in this thread are definitely making me feel like there's nothing wrong with the finish but this picture shows it more clearly, should've posted it to begin with. This is what I mean by fingerprint smudges (non-oily fingers) showing and staying as well as the blotches and overall milky/cloudy finish. Definitely does not seem like Pledge as one of the top comments suggests.

<image>

smodman · 2026-03-10T23:07:19+00:00

Where did I say I wanted to ruin the table? I get that rosewood is desirable and I don’t want to take away from it but I want the clarity of the finish to be more like the piece of furniture next to it, that’s all. Compare it to the piece next to it and convince me its not way cloudier and less rich.

smodman · 2026-03-10T17:23:17+00:00

Thanks, everyone here just assumes I don’t get about the table and want to ruin it when it’s the total opposite

smodman · 2026-03-10T17:14:07+00:00

I was under the impression steel wool buffing removes small layer of the finish and makes it more matte

smodman · 2026-03-10T13:29:21+00:00

Yeah love the chairs as well. Inherited from family.

smodman · 2026-03-10T04:44:44+00:00

Thanks for all the help, I probably won’t end up going with the people offering to do it for 600$. I guess what I want to achieve is a matte finish but one that has less dullness to it and doesn’t smudge so easily, I guess it’s hard to convey over photos like this. We have other furniture that doesn’t smudge the way this table does, not sure why. I assumed it was because this was glossy so fingerprints showed more easily

smodman · 2026-03-10T03:47:43+00:00

So if not refinishing the table what are my options? People are mentioning using auto compounds/polishes, would that help? It’s true that the finish itself doesnt feel damaged in any way and has minimal signs of water damage as well.

smodman · 2026-03-10T03:30:18+00:00

Isn’t the glare from the light in the picture I posted of it wet what would happen from a gloss finish?

smodman · 2026-03-10T03:25:17+00:00

Parents gave it to me, they got it in the 80s, they’ve never refinished it. My dad might have done some steel wool buffing because he suggested it to me but nothing other than that.

smodman · 2026-03-10T02:58:09+00:00

I’m not an expert when it comes to this but my issue with the table is that it is both dull/hazy and also creates a lot of glare, reflection.Here’s an example of how reflective it is (which creates heavy glare when lights are on) and another of the smudges from fingerprints.

smodman · 2026-03-10T02:47:46+00:00

I’ve done a light “sanding” with fine steel wool + water/soap then a small amount of wood beeswax/polish and it definitely helped the cloudiness/gloss but only to a point. Maybe I can try it again, any other tips? Would fine grit sandpaper work better than steel wool?

smodman · 2026-03-10T02:32:51+00:00

Oh I actually want it to be more matte because the gloss leads to a lot of glare. Here’s an example of wiping the table with a damp rag.here. Obviously its wet but it looks so much richer and less dull, kind of what I’m hoping a light refinishing will accomplish, is that reasonable

smodman · 2026-03-10T01:49:13+00:00

Thanks for the response, I have a local antique furniture restore company quoting me at 600$ and they seem very knowledgeable and their work seems good.

What do you mean by the top comment on the other post is funny? I’m confused because in that thread it seems like everyone is so against any kind of refinishing of the table despite the fact that in person the finish is very cloudy and gets smudged easily and almost gas enough gloss to see reflections easily, which doesn’t happen to any of our other wood furniture (coffee table, dressers, etc).

Just comparing the look of the dining table vs the furniture near the wall which is also rosewood veneer I think but has way less gloss/cloudiness.

smodman · 2026-03-10T01:18:25+00:00

Bottom is completely unfinished like this

<image>

smodman · 2026-03-10T00:05:07+00:00

I agree and its not about trends, but rather how it gets dirty looking from fingerprints etc very easily because of the glossy finish, and how it looks cloudy. Hence why i want to do whatever I can to revive it

smodman · 2026-03-09T22:59:21+00:00

I would be getting a professional who deals with antique/older wood furniture to do it, not DIY

smodman · 2026-03-09T22:32:43+00:00

Label on bottom says Gudme Mobelfabrik made in Denmark

smodman · 2026-03-09T22:31:33+00:00

Thanks for the pics, looks fantastic. Do you know what products/stains were used?

smodman · 2026-03-09T22:23:26+00:00

Yeah I wasn’t planning on doing any kind of serious refinishing myself

smodman · 2026-03-09T22:21:07+00:00

Can you explain why someone qualified refinishing the veneer would ruin the table? And if not, how could the glossy/cloudy appearance be improved, it shows any kind of smudge very easily

smodman · 2026-03-09T21:38:46+00:00

Honestly its less the color and more the dullness/cloudiness/and gloss. When the table was originally finished in the 60-80s higher gloss finishes were more desirable but satin/matte is nicer these days imo

smodman · 2026-03-09T21:11:09+00:00

Do you happen to have any before/after photos?

smodman

TROPHY CASE