Ideas?

[revena]

So I have this bookshelf that I stole from my parents forever ago. I think it was originally my grandfather's, actually. Anyhow, it had some scratches and dings on the top of it before I ever got a hold of it, but then in my foolish youth (we're talking pre-teens, here), I put a fish tank on top of it. And then it leaked. And I've never really fixed it.

So here's what the shelf looks like on top:



I'd like to have it in the living room. The details on the front are really pretty, and I like that it's a piece with some history for my family. So I want to fix up the top, but I don't really know what to do. I'm guessing that staining it would be the right course, and probably stripping the existing stain first? I'm hoping that one of you has done something like this before and can point me in the right direction for my research. Anyone?

Comments

[mattmatt.livejournal.com]

IANAE, but we've just been through a thing with our new offices where they stained all the wood much darker than the colour we approved. Long story short, my boss made them replace ALL. THE. WOOD.

In discussing the options, it was mentioned that with a stain, it's much harder to sand it back because it soaks quite deep into the wood, it doesn't just sit on top like paint does. Because most of the wood concerned was plywood panelling, the stain would have gone right through the top ply, meaning that it was impossible to sand back without destroying the wood.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not sure you'd want that kind of sanding job with your wrists.