Ship Shape Nelson

It's fair to say, I love this table, but wasn't sad to see it go home today!

It came to me in a sorry state. Cracked varnish, lifting veneer, bare patches, dents...the works.

After an experimental test strip on the underside, I contacted the owner to let him know the chances of a successful strip were slim to none. The coating was thick and the bola veneer, tissue thin. A disaster waiting to happen. The owner's response? "Just go for it."

So heart in mouth, I did.

This was a complex job! I started with a strip and light sand. Then grain repairs to the cracked and exposed timber. Lifting veneer was injected & clamped. Missing grain recreated by hand. The outer lip re-stained, then coat after coat of varnish.

Possibly the most challenging project I've had in a while but the owner's reaction was worth it. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone hug a table before!!

Hard to believe, but this varnish is less than a month old (photo 1).

It's a classic, if somewhat drastic example of why preparation & choosing the right product is vital.

At ShipShape Nelson, we understand the quirks and eccentricities of different timbers, the chemical composition of various coatings and can quickly ascertain which products have been used before, so can better recommend which product is best now.

So what went wrong here? A few things.

- choosing the cheapest coating, especially for exterior work is not always a great plan.

- the owners DID sand back the surface before applying BUT didn't realise the timber is deeply permeated with the oil that had been previously used and salt water.

Combined result- a lot of wasted time, product and frustration.

So this Easter weekend, I'm on board, taking her back to square 1! Watch this space...