We have a problem similar to this in our home, where the previous owners painted over oil-based trim with latex without properly prepping and priming. In some areas the paint is solid, and in others it is peeling/flaking. What I'm doing is almost exactly what paintguy suggests: scrape with a putty knife until I reach a solid spot, then sand a bit with a sanding sponge. No major sanding, just to kind of smooth the edges. Then I'm painting on a coat of Zinsser BIN primer before two coats of my trim paint (Sherwin-Williams Pro-Classic). I think the BIN primer is awesome, would definitely recommend it.

Thank you all bunches for the feedback on the border idea, I think that is what I will do then to keep it simple 6" forest green strips on sides and 6" x 6" blue squares in the corners. I love my parents, and I know they will love this quilt and it will be kept in the family for generations to come. My dad was hoping I would have it fully quilted by this Christmas, but I am no miracle worker. Later this fall after I get some projects cleared off my desk I will cut and hand-sew the border on. Then I plan to store it until closer to late winter/early spring and then start the hand-quilting of it. Ideally I would like to give it to them as their 2014 Christmas present. Best to you and thanks bunches, Sandra

I found this before/after vanity done in Java and to me it looks almost exactly like my rocker finish, but other Java projects I found do look black to me. I don't see any other GF gel stain sample color that looks like it could ever be dark enough to match the rocker, so I guess color mixing/layering w/ Java is the answer. EDIT: I've ordered some Java and will see what it does to the loveseat, then I'll proceed from there. lol! and, yeah, I got a quart. I have other "projects" that need doing. ;^) Thanks, everyone! Here is a link that might be useful: vanity project pic This post was edited by party_music50 on Fri, Jun 13, 14 at 9:36

deedee, You said the table is Maple , Without seeing it I'm going to assume that it's made up many 5-6 inch wide boards all joined together. Each board will have similar but diffrent characteristics. If there is no sheen left to the table and it's uniformly dull, you have removed all of the finish. How much to sand is kind of difficult to explain. Try this; Get a few sheets of 120 grit paper, they come in sheets that are 9"x11". Cut them up into 4's,meaning fold the sheet in half and cut it, then fold the remaining half in half again and cut them. You should now have 4 small stacks of equal size sheets. Do the same with 220 grit papper. Now fold the 120 grit into thirds and with a bit of elbow grease sand in the direction of the grain, sand the entire table, then do the same with 220 grit. Maybe this will take 10-15 minutes total. Lets assume you did it correctly. Get some mineral spirits (the same as paint thinner) and wipe the table down with it. Use a rag and wet down the whole table, this will show you what the table will look like if it were finished " natural" with no stain applied. This will also show you if you've evenly sanded the table. The mineral spirts will take a few minutes to evaporate after you wipe down the table, so if you need to do any more sanding you're going to have to give it about 30 minutes to be dry enough to sand again. If you have to sand again, 120 then 220 follow up with mineral spirits to check yourself. I hope that isn't to confusing.