How to Restore an Antique Billiard Table

Antique billiard tables are part of American culture. Pool's appeal to players and spectators dates back to the 19th century and continues strong today. Antique billiard tables are uniquely distinguishable, for the antique ones were finely detailed--as detailed in design as pieces of furniture. Some are quite beautiful, and are the focal point within a room.

Instructions

1

Walk all around the antique billiard table and look for damage. You should be looking for any shellac or paint that is not original to the table. Old shellac and paint often traps dust and dulls the finish of old wood, especially as it ages. Most antique pool tables were made from carved wood, some beautifully and intricately designed, and trapped dust and grime can ruin the beauty.

2

Strip off the old shellac or varnish. Strip the wood on the frame and legs down to its natural condition, using either paint thinner or varnish remover. The bottom part of the pool table above the legs is where the frame is located. The interior of the frame may need to be re-aligned if wood is warped and repainted. If there are natural hand-painted details on your antique billiard table frame and you don't want to lose the original detail, you will have to painstakingly apply the varnish remover in a lesser amount and with a lighter touch when rubbing, being careful not to apply too much if the old varnish becomes troublesome to remove. Use a soft cloth and varnish in a well-ventilated area. Wear a chemical allergy mask if allergic. These can be purchased at hardware supply stores in the paint section.

3

Repair the moldings. If the wood on the table is chipped on the legs or edges after cleaning, if you are skilled, you can re-sand with 220 grit sand paper, then hand paint those sections to match. If not, a wood worker with knowledge on how to restore these decorative sections on antique billiard tables should be called. An expert will know how to fit and match the wood exactly. Check the yellow pages under restoration for any woodworkers near you, and you can look online for billiard restoration specialists in your area.

4

Re-stain the table. Once you get all the old paint off, and the table is properly dusted, you can re-stain the table with dye-base stains, then varnish with one or two coats of semi-gloss lacquer finish, making sure to let the first dry. This will seal in the clean version of the table to its original state.

5

Restore the felt and the rest of the pool table. Restoring the felt may be tricky, but can be done with a felt recovery kit. If your backing (the original table minus the felt) is made of wood, you can staple the felt, and if it is a slate backing, use glue. You will need to stretch the felt material to get a tight fit, and do not leave any rumpled or uneven surfaces, for this will interfere with your game when you go to use the table. The felt recovery kits can be purchased online, or at a billiard supply store near you. The rails, rail liners, pockets, bolt covers, and slates, some made from ivory or special materials, should be restored by a professional, unless you are knowledgeable on how to size, fit, and glue these sections. Professional restoration is essential if you want to retain the value of your original antique billiard table, or want a near exact replica of the original.