Shuffleboard Table Refinishing

Shuffleboard Table Refinishing

The requirement to refinish a shuffleboard table usually results from the old finish worn down into the wood plane. Many times this occurs due to wear and tear over a period of time, however, could have been avoided through normal maintenance. It is essential to defend the finished exterior with base wax of either paste or liquid variety. These days, the liquid waxes are the easiest to apply and are more than satisfactory if applied properly. Adding liquid wax is certainly a lot easier and cheaper then refinishing!

Boards that are cracked are a separate story. Normally it is not economically practical to revamp a cracked board. There are some who are gifted and might accept the challenge and be successful, but for most, this is not reality.

Most boards that need redoing are because the old finish is worn off. It is difficult, if not hopeless, to redo a section of the board – normally the entire board needs to be redone.

Ultimately using a plainer to remove those old nicks or cautiously sanding it down, etc. Once the board has thoroughly cleaned, you’ll have to be careful what you use to reapply your lines and printing… more specifically, something that can be used with your final finish. If your material isn’t compatible, then you can expect your finishing touches to peel away where your lines are.

Most of the older boards are American’s Penn’s Rockola’s, West Virginia Wood, ect. which were built in the 40s and 50s – some later – but most all used a clear lacquer finish. This technology came from the 40s and still works. There have been a lot of advances in the finish technology since ten. (If you don’t think so – think about the paint finish on automobiles – in the 50s you had to wax them often or they oxidized where today with clear coat you hardly have to wash them). But even with the new clear coats we don’t slide up and down the car roof or hood with our shoes on (Similar to shuffleboard pucks or weights sliding up and down the playing surface) – that is why we have to base wax them.

It doesn’t seem to make much difference what type of refinish is applied – the care problem will always exist (base waxing the board often is the key). So the type becomes your choice. The cost for a professional refinisher’s about the same for all types of redo – $800 – $900. Other factors will enter into it – where your location is; are there other boards in your area to be done at the same time? Negotiating with the refinisher will help – the biggest help is if another board needs to be done at the same time in your area.

Lacquer finishes are still available but is probably the softest finish and the simplest to wear off. There are many new types – polyurethane, acrylic, and other synthetic finishes. Most new boards today use the modern finishes.