Replies

1. 
   pantalones868 | Oct 28, 2024 01:57pm | #1

   There was no noticeable staining/ color differential on those spots before the first sanding? Is there any stain or mark on the bottom of the table top that corresponds to the spots on top?
   My best guess is that it's pollution of some sort. Someone spilled something once upon a time. A candle melted there, someone tipped the nail polish remover, Dad decided to rebuild his carburetor, some kid got a Gilbert chemistry set for Christmas and set up on the kitchen table! If you could figure out what it is then maybe you could figure out some solvent to possibly leach it out. Short of dragging the table to some university laboratory you will
   most likely never know what it is.
   Possible solutions? Sanding out the top again,or maybe just those spots, what reaction do you get if you shellac those spots? Lacquer?
   Once upon a time I repainted a floor using the paint I found in the garage that was the original paint. Old paint and the driers had apparently evaporated and consequently the paint never completely dried and remained tacky. So I was faced with removing all the paint on a pretty large area. Hand and knees rubbing it out with paint thinner or... On a lark I painted over the floor with Japan drier and it worked! Japan drier- its a shot!
   My best guess would be shellac and that would be my first try. If shellac were to seal whatever that is in there without reaction you could sand back and shellac the entire top and vanish over.
   I've done quite alot of restorative work and sometimes there are things that can't be saved or at least not in a conventional manner. A Hail Mary would be to rout out that area and patch in new material. Since it will unfortunately in all likelihood look like a patch, (it's an extinct tree ,good luck finding a match)make it something else- like maybe an inlay of something -- a big chestnut leaf,a kookaburra- whatever! Old stuff has old stuff ,a history, dings and repairs are part of its character, it has a story that you want to retain,otherwise there is plenty of new stuff available. If you were to patch in new material you have added to its story.
   The good thing is that this problem is not on you!

1. 
   maxkowa | Oct 29, 2024 05:29am | #4

   Thanks a million for taking the time annd answering so. extensively, much appreciated!!! I'll give Shellac a try!

2. 
   willinwoodworks | Oct 28, 2024 02:10pm | #2

   Try sanding out the top again and priming the entire top with dewaxed shellac. Shellac makes a great primer/sealer for varnish and will usually trap any contaminants.

1. 
   TexasBurt | Oct 28, 2024 02:48pm | #3

   Ditto!

3. 
   maxkowa | Oct 29, 2024 05:30am | #5

   Thanks! Gonna try!

4. 
   revbob | Nov 03, 2024 12:03pm | #6

   Sealcoat AKA dewaxed shellac is the miracle worker for refinishing. On a recent project I had forgot to set a base (two coats) of DW Shellac and had a similar situation that you're experiencing After consulting with my "Finishing Coach" he reminded me to "get back to the basics" and prep the surface. One coat is not always enough but two coats seems to do the trick. Three is even better. We're not talking about a lot of time and don't forget to lightly sand it. You should be able to solve your challenge using this prep method. If not remove the offending area and add a bowtie / star / round for decorative effect.
   Good Luck