I was asked if there was “ANYTHING” I could do for this table top. It is a “distressed” style finish. But some of the seams were badly swelling press or fiber board due to spills on the table top.
I originally thought there would not be much that could be done knowing the table top was swollen particle board. I knew the top itself could not be restored well enough to not do the same thing in the future. So, a new top with a matching trim to make it look like the original top was to be laid in place.
The “NEW” table top was fitted and sanded to match the original. It was stained to match the original top finish. Then it was sprayed with a lacquer so that it could be painted black. The black paint was then washed off in places to distress the finish. Board lines were not cut into the new wood for fear of paint chipping or pooling of spills that would damage the finish all over again. I cut lines in the painted finish to represent boards. Lastly, the table was sprayed with lacquer, and then a thicker coat of brush on lacquer (6 total coats) was added to preserve the top.
The materials included furniture grade baltic birch plywood, trim made from solid birch, flat paint, spray lacquer, brush on lacquer and a really good, lacquer brush.