I have this EXACT coffee table. Bought it at Cost Plus World Market almost 20 years ago, and it's gone through the abuse of 2 toddlers and a puppy through that time. I just assumed it was a veneer and that there was no way I'd be able to refinish it... I was just last night considering giving it away and getting a new table, but your video has inspired me to refinish it! Thanks for the video.
Thats exactly how i feel about sanding. UGH. I JUST redid my old coffee table. About 18 yrs old... now it looks great. Sanding it was a nightmare especially since the legs had grooves in them. This looks great. I used a spar urethane for top coat. Never heard of the paste before.
Some experts say I should work down the grits, starting at (let's say) 320, then 240, 120, and 80, then work back up (80, 120, 240, 320). Is that right and does it help the finish? Please excuse any inaccuracies on grit density.