I picked up this coffee table for £19 including commission at a local auction.
Instantly I realised its potential seeing that the wood had been stained and annoyingly rather haphazardly in places. I had wrought iron to contend with here too so I had to choose how to go forward before even beginning stripping the wood down. I eventually decided to remove the Iron pins on top and the bracers attaching the legs to the under frame.
I changed my mind several times on this matter as seen below id wire brushed and sanded the metal then changed my mind a final time, I decided to remove the iron pins and leg bracers but keep the external corner bracers. The chrome look isn't one i'm usually keen on but i had a feeling that once finished it would really stand out.
Once I'd removed the iron off the top I began to take the stain off with my random orbital sander and hand sanded the edge of the top. The results were mesmerising, well if you're a wood lover like me you'll agree!
Hidden underneath that awful stain was a beautiful blend of rosewood. I knew then that once I'd applied my own finish to the table it would be stunning. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't sanded anything but the top.
The next week was devoted to using tiny strips of sandpaper to get in between all the grooves in the legs, getting the desired look. My hands certainly didn't thank me but once I was finally happy with it I could begin thinking of my finish.
A lot of people seek oils out when finishing wood which is great but before you ever finish a wooden piece, think of its intended use. For instance a shelf made of oak, Oil it if its going to sit a book or two on. However this is a coffee table, its going to have spills and its going to possibly get marked.
I chose a water based varnish to finish this project. Oil based varnish from my own experience is a bloody mess and is harder to get a uniform finish. Water based is a treat in comparison and with varnish on top the tables protected from water, heat and general marking.
Four coats of varnish added and the table was complete.
My friend and long time mentor had a coffee table from the 1930's with tiles on top, to put bluntly it was tragic. So the Rosewood made a fantastic gift to him and is pictured below in his living room.
Working with Sheesham is fantastic and a finish like this is easily achieved. If you see a table made of Sheesham and you see it is stained (probably badly) then after reading this I hope you can see the potential of what lurks underneath.
I have kept the wrought Iron leg bracers and pins off the top for future projects too which is a little bonus.
Total cost of project - £43.00
£19 Table
£9 Varnish
£15 Sandpaper (did go through a ton of the stuff)
That concludes my post on my Indian Rosewood Coffee Table. Please get in touch with questions or leave a comment with opinions, gratefully received.
Brett
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